Youko no Kage

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters associated with it.

"Talking"

Thoughts

The Hyuga's

"Oh Sasuke! You're so cool! Please come and play with me!" Karin exclaimed as she hung off the emo ninja's arm.

"Ugh, pest" Sasuke glared.

"Ahh! You're just too cool!" as it only made Karin feel more excited.

"Would you stop that already!" as Sakura tried to cut in. "You're being a nuisance!"

". . . . This is somehow just painful to watch" said Naruto rather offhandedly.

In agreement, Kushina felt the same. Team seven had just returned from a mission. Upon their arrival Karin was immediately on his arm trying to get his attention. Now fan girls like this was a common thing as every generation had them as they fawned over ninjas who were good looking, had a promising future, came from wealth or prestige, or even had some sort of fame connected to their name.

Of course she didn't mind them regardless of how creepy they were back in her academy days when they hung around Minato. In the beginning of course when she just thought of him as just some dumb blond. But after he saved her and they started dating, she was quick to put his little club to rest.

But back on topic, the painful part was how one of said fan girls was from the Uzumaki clan.

Then sighing a bit, "oh to be young". Then disrupted from her thoughts a knock on the door was heard. "I have other company now. So if you may" to which team seven gave a polite bow letting themselves out. Replacing them soon was Gai's team as Gai, Lee, Tenten and Neji had walked in.

"We are here to report in" Gai announced boisterously. "Another mission completed! Now let us go celebrate with a run around the village!"

"Yes Gai-sensei!" Lee exclaimed in equal excitement.

"Oh boy . . . ." Tenten sighed.

Neji couldn't help but cringe a bit at how eccentric the two green beasts were. Without another word the pair had left on their run leaving Tenten and Neji behind.

"Well they certainly keep things interesting don't they" as Kushina gave a strained laugh.

"Yeah" Tenten half chuckled. "Well we better get going or Gai-sensei will never let us hear the end of it".

Before they could leave, "Oh Neji may I have a word with you please?"

"Of course Hokage-sama" he nodded respectively.

"I'll see out there then" as Tenten waved taking her leave.

Now alone, "what is it that you wished to talk about Hokage-sama?"

"Just wanting to know how your life's been so far" Kushina asked in a chipper tone.

For the second time that day the Hyuga prodigy cringed. He knew she was just being nice. However it still kind of annoyed him with how random it was. "Yes, everything is fine with me Hokage-sama" Neji said as politely as possible with his trademark poker face, "though if I may, why do you ask?"

Her reasoning behind this was complicated. Like her son and husband, it was on their list to eventually fix the 'Hyuga destiny'. Though her influence over the clan was not so great. Even with the authority of an hokage, she did not have the right to interfere with internal clan issues or disputes. This policy was more or less one of the base principles during the founding of the leaf village and very highly enforced. In fact it was one of the selling points of how Hashirama gathered the founding clans. The only real power a hokage had in terms of internal clan conflict was only playing mediator as well as intervening if said conflict was starting to affect the village itself.

"Oh nothing" as Kushina gave a soft smile. "I just wanted to know is all. You better get going then".

"Of course. Have a good day Hokage-sama" Neji politely bowed as he soon made his exit.

Standing from her desk the gingered Uzumaki looked out the window watching as the Hyuga prodigy joined up with his team to start their run.

She had hope that this family curse could be removed. She wasn't sure about the history itself. But it was painfully obvious in how the main family was abusing the branch family. Even Hiashi the head of the clan took part in this act. Since her academy days she had always known the Hyuga head as a real grouch with a serious case of elitism. He pretty much looked down on everyone as people who weren't worth the dirt on his shoes. Though funny enough back in their youths when Hiashi tried to intimidate her, she gave a thoughtful response with a fist to the face. In fact it was actually him who started her nickname as the hot blooded habanero to which she beat him up so more afterward.

But as of late from what she heard from Hinata, something unbelievable was happening in the Hyuga clan. After Neji's match in the chunin finals Hiashi had personally bowed to him in apology for what had happened to his father. Regardless of their status, Hizashi was still his blood brother. Though he detested him for just being born first, he still cared for him. Without hesitation Hizashi willingly sacrificed himself to save his brother. An act Hiashi would never forget.

Perhaps she might have been reading too much into it, but in respect to his brother Hiashi had taken Neji under his wing teaching him the ways of the main branch family and the secret jyuken techniques. That was the oddity as the branch family's purpose was to protect the main branch. Though that was the pretty way of putting it as they were simply fodder. Pawns to be used and disposed of when they felt like it. Essentially they were barely above the level of slaves. Of course other clans found this relationship detestable. However by law of the village, none of them could interfere.

But with Hiashi taking a shine to Neji, maybe this was the chance she needed to turns things around for the Hyuga clan and start anew. Obviously the main branch was going to be really resistant to change and it was going to be a lot of hard work to get them there. But if it wasn't hard then it probably wasn't worth doing.

Gathering what she would need she started to put her plan into motion. Of course she wouldn't see any immediate results. However it was a start to get things moving in the right direction. To start things off she was going to need to talk to a few people first.

~ Hokage's office ~ (the next day)

Hearing a knock on the door, "come in" said Kushina.

Coming in was the Hyuga head himself as Hiashi gave a polite bow. Followed by him were his two daughters Hinata and Hanabi. "Hokage-sama, in what business did you have with me today?"

Now Kushina knew when to get serious when it mattered. But after all these years she was curious if Hiashi was still afraid of her after the beating she gave him. Unable to resist curiosity the gingered Uzumaki flared her aura as her hair rose a bit.

Feeling it, Hiashi couldn't help but flinch on gut instinct as a nervous drop of sweat rolled down his face.

"Father?" Hinata asked.

"I've never seen father react like this before" Hanabi thought.

"Oh this might be useful later" Kushina internally smirked. But back on topic, "I believe I only requested to talk to you. I do not understand why you decided to bring your kids along".

Quickly correcting himself, "I felt it would be good for them to see how the clan deals with matters concerning the village".

"I see. Though this meeting does have something to do with them it's a matter I'd rather discuss between us first". Before Hiashi could rebuttal Kushina had already stood up and opened her window as her son was right outside. "Hey Naruto!" she called out. "Do you mind keeping Hinata and Hanabi company for a while? There is some business I need to discuss with their dad".

"Sure mom!" Naruto called back.

"Now go play outside" Kushina warmly smiled addressing the two young Hyuga's. "Your father and I have some business to discuss".

"Of course Hokage-sama" both Hinata and Hanabi bowed as they then left.

Now alone with the gingered Uzumaki, "what is this matter that concerned my daughters?"

"Well before I go into that . . . . Tell me, why have you started teaching Neji the main branch jyuken style".

"I do not see how . . . ." but then felt Kushina's aura causing him to choke on his words. It was difficult for the Hyuga head. But against Kushina, things like pride and ego were things you don't openly flash in front of her. So deciding to be frank, ". . . . In the only way I can put it . . . . My redemption".

"Redemption?" Kushina repeated.

"Yes" Hiashi nodded. "My redemption . . . . For allowing my brother to die". Thinking back to that time, he was justified in killing that kumonin when he tried to kidnap Hinata. However that kumonin was originally sent to Konoha as a sign of peace in ending hostilities between their villages. But the problem was the fact they couldn't prove that the emissary was acting on the hidden clouds orders or was acting on his own to steal the byakugan. Either way he had killed the cloud village's emissary in which they demanded compensation from the one who killed him. Though no matter how cloud village tried to spin it, it was a clever ploy in getting their hands on the byakugan. If they refused it would be war.

But to save the Hyuga head, the Hyuga elders had decided to sacrifice Hizashi instead. Since they were twins they could easily change the story of mistaken identity. Though he hadn't treated his brother well he still cared for him. Likewise, the feeling was mutual as Hizashi gave his life for him which in turn kept the byakugan from falling into Kumo's hands.

"I felt . . . . Cowardly for not doing more. For not fighting more . . . . But if anything . . . . Watching over Neji is the very least I can do. For him to be born with so much natural talent, it would be a waste if he weren't able to fully realize it all".

"Hmm, well that makes things a little easier then".

"What are you talking about?"

"I understand my place as the hokage as I have no right to tell you how to run your clan. But saying so . . . . I would like you to consider Neji as the next head for the Hyuga clan".

"What?" as Hiashi was stunned at the statement.

"The Hyuga clan has made too many sacrifices for the wrong reasons. If not now, when will this despair come to an end? One generation from now? Five generations? Maybe ten? It's the responsibility of the people who are living in the here and now to do something about it and not expect someone else later down the road to clean it up. So for Hizashi's sake . . . . For Neji's sake . . . . For all the children yet to be born into the Hyuga clan, I implore you Hiashi as the head of your family to end this cursed fate".

Feeling the raw determination and emotion the Hyuga head felt his soul moved even if only a little bit. Honestly he was astonished Kushina didn't just use her usual tactic of intimidating others to do what she wanted.

Yet he was also pleasantly surprised she was capable of saying something so meaningful. "I guess the title of hokage isn't just for show" he internally commented. Looking back on his life, he would have never questioned the caged bird seal as it just seemed to be a natural part of life. But with his brother it had became all to clear to him that things had to change now. Real change for the sake of the clan.

"You're right Hokage-sama . . . . Things do need to change now".

". . . . Huh" Kushina then huffed.

"What?"

"Well . . . . I honestly thought you were going to resist the idea. I didn't think you were actually so open minded".

Cringing as he decided to let that insult slide, "in truth . . . . I was planning to end it as well as it has brought nothing but pain. But I do not believe I will be able to accomplish such a task at least . . . . Not in my lifetime".

"Hmm?"

Giving a strained chuckle, "you may think of me as a cold man and a terrible father. But I do care for my daughters. Hinata . . . . Is far too gentle. But by no means is it not a weakness as she inherited her mother's kindness. If change is to occur, the Hyuga head must strong in both mind and spirit. If not the Hyuga elders will simply walk over them as the clan head would simply be their figure head puppet. Thus why I decided to train Hanabi for this sake. But with Neji, he shows all the right qualities to lead the clan. Perhaps he may even surpass me as a greater leader. However the council elders won't accept it so easily as they will oppose it with all their might".

"Is that so? Then let's say they consider him. What then?"

"They will undoubtedly use dirty or impossible tasks to ensure he fails. They have grown too accustomed to how the way things are. They certainly don't want to see things change".

"Hmm, that is quite troubling. But there is no time like today. Let's get to work".

~ Konoha ~ (several days later)

In the passing time both Hiashi and Kushina prepared for the challenge to come.

Being told of his role to play, Neji was both incredibly honored yet terrified at the mantle he was being offered. Truthfully he wasn't sure how to handle it. But after some deep reflection and being told of the reasons, this was the hope he needed. The chance to change the Hyuga destiny. This was an opportunity he could not allow to slip through his fingers. So no matter the hardship he would face it head on. Anticipating every possible scenario, Kushina and Hiashi prepared many training regiments to ensure that he was ready.

Hinata and Hanabi were also made aware of this fact. Truthfully they were absolutely fine with it as neither of them had any real interest in leadership. If the position of head was passed on to their cousin it would be in good hands.

Polishing his mind, body, and spirit Neji was as ready as he was going to get.

Now on this day, Hiashi along with Neji assembled the Hyuga elders as he made his proposal.

"This is an outrage!"

"We can never accept a branch member as the heir to the clan!"

"You've overstepped yourself Hiashi!"

"Then I believe it is you who is overstepped" said Hiashi with his trademark calm. "As the leader of this clan I have the right to appoint whoever I wish as the next head".

"True, but it's in our authority to choose to accept it or not. I believe we all are in consensus that we will never accept someone like him as our next clan leader".

"Hmm, why not?" The elders then turned to see who had walked in as the council instantly felt a scary chill drape over them.

"Hokage-sama! What brings someone like you here?" one of the elders stuttered. Aside from being their hokage, a few of them had a certain history with her. After she punched out a Hyuga, several of them demanded she should be jailed for her transgressions. Upon facing her accusers, the gingered Uzumaki didn't care to be insulted by them as they used phrases like low birth, commoner, or peasant. In a very Kushina like fashion she gave them a very thoughtful response with a fist to the face to which there were plenty to go around. Though after the incident they had no choice but to let it go as Hiruzen just coined it off as kids just being kids. However some of them would never forget the fear she invoked in them that day.

"Well I heard something interesting was all. I figured it would be a nice change of pace as the Hyuga clan really needs to get with the times. Now obviously Neji needs to prove he is worthy of the mantle of leader, so why not give the boy a chance?"

All things considered, they couldn't exactly say no straight out without a well reasoned argument in front of Hiashi and Kushina. Just as importantly they could not allow this as this would present a precedent that could shift the power balance within the clan. But if they were able to choose the terms of their acceptance then they would be able to swing things into their favor. Discussing amongst themselves for a bit stitching together a thought out plan, "very well. We will accept Neji as a candidate of the next head if he can complete a task from each elder amongst the council. However there are conditions. First, there will be no second chances. Once he fails he fails to which there will be no further word of this. Second, Neji is not to receive any outside assistance. He must perform each task by himself. Third, Hiashi must stand down as leader as we now feel he can not properly lead this clan anymore".

Neji was stunned at hearing the third condition. But before he could speak out his disapproval, "very well" said Hiashi. "I accept these conditions".

"Then it is confirmed then" said the Hyuga elder very smugly. "For our first task to be clan head, he must prove to be the strongest. So you will prove your strength as we have decided who you shall face".

"Wow, that easily!" said Kushina in a chipper tone completely destroying the tension in the air. "Sounds like these tasks will be a breeze. Oh, did I also mention that there were some folks who wanted to see this as well?"

"What?" Coming in as well, many powerful and respected ninjas from well established clans appeared. Examples were the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, Inuzuka, several chunin examiners, and quite a few more.

"We're all expecting a good show" said Kushina with an insidious smile. "So let's all get along well".

Grimacing, the Hyuga elders knew what this clearly meant. It was clear that any form of foul play will not be tolerated as Konoha's best and strongest will be watching. So thus any under handed schemes will certainly not go unnoticed. So the best they could do was make their tasks as difficult as possible. For they could not allow a branch member to rise to this level.

Getting the first task underway, they had moved to the practice dojo as Neji would be facing some of the strongest the Hyugas had to offer. Getting word of this challenge quite a few branch members had also turned up to watch. Facing him were adults from the main branch roughly in their late twenties as he was to fight four of them as once. Of course these were unfair odds. However the elders argued that this was part of proving his strength.

"Hmm, what lousy odds" said Inoichi.

"That's quite a bit to be stacking up against a kid" said Chouza.

"As unfair as it may seem" said Shukaku, "strictly speaking they haven't cheated. So this is allowable".

". . . ." as Shibi had nothing to say.

"Hinata's cousin right?" said Tsume. "Hope he does well".

Chatter passed in the back as Neji concentrated on the challenge ahead of him. The men he was facing were competent chunin level ninjas. But briefly looking back at Hiashi and Kushina, he couldn't allow himself to fail. Looking forward as veins pulsed around his eyes, his byakugan were activated.

As the referee raised his hand, "begin!"

"Got to fight smart. Don't want to try fighting all four of them at once". Flashing in his mind, Neji smirked as the image of Naruto appeared. Regardless of the odds, he would stubbornly keep pushing forward never backing down or giving up till he attained victory. Though he may not have much in either skill or talent, he felt he would truly attain his dream of being hokage one day. On that day he would happily greet as such once he was the Hyuga leader.

Moving in a two man formation, Neji dodged the initial strikes landing him the middle of his four opponents. Disadvantageous, but they were exactly where he wanted them.

Pivoting his foot while releasing chakra from his body, "kaiten!" as the torrent sphere appeared around him. However it was half hearted as he only needed it to momentarily stun them. "I'll only had one pass at them". In that incredibly small window to react as the Hyuga prodigy calmed his nerves perceiving the world within a fraction of time, he hit each of them sealing one of their tenketsu points.

Upon those hits, the four were thrown to opposite directions while Neji calmly analyzed his next course of action. "I've managed to disable the chakra pathways of two of them. But the other two I didn't get anything significant. I best get rid of them first before focusing on the capable combatants".

Moving in blinding speed, he struck two of them down as his other two opponents readied themselves.

"I thought this kid was a nobody!"

"He knows kaiten?! Where did he learn them?! But he'd far too inexperienced with them. Let's show him the difference between him and us!" Both coming in with jyuken strikes, Neji was on the defense. He took advantage of their first attack due to their arrogance in their skill and strength. But after dispatching two of them, they've gotten a lot more serious.

However he was still holding steady. Adjusting his strength to match theirs, his two opponents didn't understand how this was possible.

"How can this be?!"

"How is he keeping up with us?!"

For this level of attack was nothing to the Hyuga prodigy. After sparring with Hiashi their movements seemed snail like by comparison. Anticipating something like this, Kushina had him fight against several of her clones at the same time to get his mind and body used to multi-directional battles.

In truth it seemed that the standard of the main branch has been declining as of late. It was honestly a bit pathetic as he could have finished them off with a full powered kaiten. But as suggested by Kushina it was best not to reveal all your cards from the start as he was going to be fighting an uphill battle.

Focusing on one of his opponents he managed to slip a few of his strikes through his defense locking down his chakra pathways. Knocking the other aside, he back kicked his current foe dispatching him just leaving one opponent he had to deal with.

"How?" his main branch opponent questioned. "How is someone like you so powerful?! You're supposed to be nothing but a worthless branch member!"

". . . ." as Neji's eye twitched. Like his uncle, he too had his prized calm. But there was so much arrogance he was willing to take from someone. With the kind of grudge he had against a few main branch folks, this was the perfect opportunity to mop the floor with them without consequences. Sitting back in his stance, "you have entered my circle of hakke. There is nowhere for you to escape too".

With a look of surprise, "no this can't be . . . ." as he gulped nervously taking a step back. Though it was talked about amongst the clan of a branch member being able to use main branch techniques, he like quite a few others didn't believe it. But it was abundantly clear to him now how out of his league he was as he felt his body seize up.

Getting right to it, Neji began his attack striking his opponents tenketsu points. Starting off with two, then four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, and finally sixty-four. Landing all one-hundred and eight strikes cleanly and perfectly the battle was over.

". . . . It's . . . . Not . . . . Possible" as the main branch member soon fainted collapsing on the ground.

"The winner is Neji!"

Silent cheers were made from the branch members at seeing one of their own win against such insurmountable odds while the main branch were still scratching their heads trying to understand what had happened.

Kushina's group were also quite pleased with the results as they expected much from the Hyuga prodigy.

"Don't think this it over yet" quietly grumbled one of the Hyuga elders. "Your challenges are only going to get harder".

To be continued . . . .

Author's notes: Hope this chapter was OK and onto some notes.

I'm honestly curious what became of the 'Hyuga destiny' after Naruto took over as Hokage. He did promise to remove it afterall. Though it leaves me to question why the other Hokages never intervened in such a deplorable act to which I surmised something within the villages laws prevent them from doing so. I can imagine Tobirama not caring to lift a finger to help. However Hashirama, Hiruzen, and Tsunade certainly would have not allowed something like this to stand.

Well whatever I guess.

So thank you for reading and I further extend my gratitude if you can review as well.