Author's Note: I am so happy that everyone seems to like the story so far. You all have no idea just how happy I was reading all of your reviews, especially since this has been the most reviews I've received for a single story on this profile. Besides Black Dahlia at the moment. I'm glad that some of you have high expectations, though I hope that you'll take pity on me if I don't happen to match those expectations. I will try my best no matter the outcome of course. As for concerns of bashing Sakura, don't worry. It was never an intention of mine to do that. In fact, she gets her own closure and end pairing, though it won't be the main focus of this story. I already have a "Chapter 700" ending already planned out for this story, as well as a fic that happens RIGHT after the planned events of this one. I also really appreciate the feedback about the movie, and the odds of me watching it now are pretty slim to none. There seemed to be a common consensus that the movie is bad, which is something I expected honestly. If I'll watch it, it'll be after I'm done with this fic…I am feeling the urge to see just to see how bad it is.

Sorry for this late update. Things have been a bit hectic with my education and now some personal concerns with money and such. But that's neither here nor there. This chapter is a lot shorter than I originally intended for it to be, but my muse wouldn't budge. The next part of this will be much longer in order to make up for it.

Also…when I said things were going to be different from canon…I wasn't lying. Just wanted to let you guys know that. The whole thing about maybe being 30 chapters…well, I'm a lying liar who lies. This will likely be a bit longer than that, due to my muse being fickle when it comes to length of chapters.

I hope you enjoy it. Also, if this goes out later than I originally planned…Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and hope you'll enjoy Black History Month!

This is unbeta-ed. There will likely be plenty of spelling and grammar mistakes. I apologize! T_T

Chapter Two, Part 1 – How You Mean Something

"I'm hard to love, but I love hard, like my heart is the sun yearning to tan your naked body. I promise I won't burn you."

Jarod Kintz

"Hinata-sama, a message from the Elders."

Looking up from the papers she was reading through, the heiress of the Hyūga Clan smiled at the face of her visitor.

"Nii-sama", she greeted with a welcoming tone that belied the rigid set up of the room.

Nodding at the familiar address and cue for him to enter, Neji Hyūga stepped fully into the room before sliding the door shut behind him. In his hand was a scroll with the symbol of their clan emblazoned on the seal. Seeing it, she raised a hand, permitting him to come closer.

It was something that Hinata has gotten used to doing, though she was saddened by the need for such formality even towards those she considered close. It was something that she planned on changing as soon as she possessed the power to do so.

With silent steps, the Jōnin came to stand by her side and placed the scroll in her waiting hand.

"It's concerning the preparations for the upcoming banquet for the Winter Festival, they wanted to know your opinion on the proceedings." He added, his eyes still locked on her as she swiftly and gracefully opened the scroll.

Pupiless eyes scanned the scroll intensely, taking in every word and her mind quickly deciphering every hidden message that could or couldn't be seen. Finishing, she reached over to her right in order to grab her personal seal. Pressing it down into the ink, she sent a jolt of her chakra into it, causing it to glow blue.

Bringing it over towards the document, she pressed it on the line on the bottom. Rolling the scroll back up, she flared her chakra. Moments later, the door to the room slid open, to show a young woman with long dark brown hair. She kneeled, her pale eyes locked on the polished floor underneath her. Her bare forehead visible, showing the caged bird seal.

Hinata bit her lip. She could sense the stiffness from her cousin by her side. The sight of the seal had always done this to him, and the fact that it was still around bothered the heiress even more. While the relationships between the Main and Branch had improved since the end of the war, the seal still served as an obstacle towards their complete unity. That's not to say that it's something that Hinata didn't plan on changing.

However, there were things that she would need to overcome to even dream of implementing said change.

As Hinata was still learning the ropes of her new position, a lot of the power was still in the hands of the elders. They still believed that the seal was necessary, and any protests she has raised against this line of thinking were overruled by their majority vote.

Of course, she wasn't going to give up. Hinata made sure to keep bringing the idea of abolishing the seal up for every meeting she had with them. It didn't take long for them to realize that she wasn't going to let this lie. She, if anything, was only growing more fervent with attempts as the time for the elders to retire and the newer generation to take over came closer.

If this were over any other subject, she probably could've drummed up some sympathy for the elders, who were only trying to cling to what was familiar to them. However, they would realize that change was something that they needed. A change was something that the Hyūga Clan will undergo the moment she is instated fully as the Head of the Hyūga Clan. In order for that to happen, the relics of the past would need to be thrown away.

The Caged Bird Seal being the first of the things to be thrown away.

Soon. It will become nothing more than a memory…

"Shizuka-san, please take this to Elder Taka." She requested, her voice calm, soft, and yet strong. Different from the debilitating stutter that once impeded her speech.

"Hai, Hinata-sama." Without lifting her eyes, the woman made her way over. Grabbing the scroll with both hands, she kept her head bowed as she moved back out of the door. Closing it behind her with a soft click.

Lavender eyes drifted from the door down to the desk, her beautiful face crumpled slightly with sadness. She clasped her hands as her shoulders slumped.

"Even after two years of constant pushing…I'm not any closer to getting the Caged Bird seal abolished…" she trailed off, looking over at her cousin. He sat beside her, his forehead bare for the world to see.

However, unlike the young woman from before. His was unblemished by the green seal, which was there for a majority of his life. It having been taken from him by her own father, before his last breath with a content smile on his face. He had set the son of his brother free, in a way he had wished he had been able to for his twin.

"I leave the clan to you, Hinata. Be the leader that I was too afraid to be…I know this is something only you can do."

The look of happiness on his usually stoic face as he traced a finger across Neji's forehead.

"I know this is selfish to ask, but please protect her…help her achieve what I should've with the help of your father, but was always too weak to attempt…"

She had promised her father, promised him that she would do it. She would change the Hyūga Clan, and make him proud. However, some things were proving more difficult than others to change.

Yes, she was acknowledged as the next Clan Head. However, due to her inexperience, the Clan Elders were still able to overrule her in most things.

"You have made changes Hinata-sama, and things are different from how they were…I'm sure that Hiashi-sama would be proud of you and what you've managed to achieve." He assured her, his voice unwavering.

Lifting his gaze from the door the other Branch member left through, he turned it towards her. The corners of his lips softening from the stiff line they were usually set in.

"And he will be proud of what you will continue to accomplish in the future. Have faith in that." He finished, his eyes and entire posture showing his belief in her and what he was saying.

To think there was a time where, he too, believed that she would be nothing more than a failure.

Closing her eyes, Hinata nodded her head and pushed away from the insecurities that sometimes managed to sneak up on her.

She was her father's daughter. She was the Head of the Hyūga Clan, and she would show that her father's and her precious ones' faith in her was not misplaced.

When I become Head I will bring change. I cannot leave everything up to Naruto-chan, I have to help push my clan into the future as well.

Her lips curled up into a soft smile at the thought of her best friend.

Wasn't that something strange to say even after all this time?

The girl she had admired, and believe would never see her as more than an acquaintance had become her best friend since the end of the war. Following the blonde's defeat of Pein, the blonde had approached genuinely confused as to why Hinata had thrown herself into Pein's sights.

For someone who had watched Naruto from afar, who called herself an admirer of the girl. Hinata couldn't contain the guilt she had any longer. She apologized for her lack of strength to step forward and reach out a hand while they were children. She apologized for being content to just stand back and watch her struggle, all the while feeling envious of how unstoppable she had assumed the blonde was.

Honestly, even her jumping out in front of Pein to protect Naruto, as brave and selfless as it was to have the courage to step in and help Naruto. In the end, at its core was a bit of a selfish decision of hers. The Hyūga heiress wanted Naruto to notice her, wanted the girl she had admired to see how much she has grown. And in a way, it was a roundabout way to make up for the times she had been too afraid to step forward and support Naruto when it really mattered.

Her intentions at its core were honorable, as she wanted Naruto to know that she had always been an inspiration to her.

However, she also realized that it shouldn't have been so eager to throw her own life away to do so.

Naruto had, of course, waved it off, saying there was nothing she needed to apologize for. She apologized for allowing herself to get caught, for requiring Hinata to have to jump in and save her in the first place. Naruto marveled at how the shy Hyūga had really saved her bacon, and she was honestly flattered that she had managed to inspire anyone. She did, however, ask her to not do anything so reckless again, because she was someone that the blonde counted amongst her precious people.

She then held out a hand to Hinata, and the Hyūga was proud of how she had enough courage to take it. It was there that their friendship had truly started, and she had never regretted the decision.

Speaking of Naruto-chan…I wonder how her time at the Academy is going.

"Listen up, everyone!" a loud and boisterous voice rang throughout the open area outside of the Shinobi Academy.

Occupying the space was the newest generation of shinobi hopefuls, all with looks of complete rapture and awe as they took in the sight of the Hero of the Elemental Nations. She stood there before them like a beacon. Her blonde hair gleamed gold in the sunlight, and she looked at them with her eyes that matched the sky above their heads. Many of them felt their hearts speed up and their cheeks flush as they were consumed by the breathtaking image that the kunoichi made.

"Today, we're focusing on Taijutsu!" she announced, pumping her fist in excitement.

It has been a few days since she has taken on the teaching gig at the Academy, and the blonde found herself really enjoying her time with the next generation of shinobi. So much so, that she had managed to extend it from the original three days to a whole two weeks!

She was having that much fun!

"Alright, the first pair– Saito-kun and Reiha-chan, you're up!" she declared, grinning as the two in question quickly made their way to the circular platform in the center. The first was a boy with dark green hair that framed his face in a choppy fashion, downcast purple eyes, and clothed in a shorts bodysuit with the standard blue sandals. The second is a girl with brown hair pulled back into a severe bun, sharp ochre eyes peering through thin-rimmed glasses wearing a sleeveless mandarin-style top, spandex leggings under a pair of shorts, and blue sandals.

Raising her hand up into the air, she glanced at the two who stared at each other. Saito with apprehension and Reiha with complete concentration.

"Begin," she dropped her hand to signal the start of the match.

Reiha shot forward in a quick burst, throwing a fist towards the boy's middle which he caught quickly enough. Not allowing that to phase her, Reiha using the hold on her hand to twist her body up to lash out with her leg to the side of his head. Cursing, the boy hastily released her hand while leaning back and away from the attack that would undoubtedly leave his head rattling.

Whistling, Naruto watched as the two broke free from each other with deep breaths. She couldn't help but be fascinated with those she knew would be future shinobi of her village. Just the idea that one day, she would be leading this new generation and the village forward into the village made her heart pound. The idea that she was so close to her childhood dream, it…it really didn't fail in moving and inspiring her further.

She would not allow herself to let the village down.

Her attention was drawn back to the battle as it continued and only called an end to it when Saito managed to toss the girl off of the platform by using her own show of force against her.

Boys on the sidelines cheered, while the girls hissed at the loss. Quickly calling the two forward, she praised them for the good match and proceeded to tell them where they did wrong and where they could improve. When she saw the beaming smiles the two sent her at the end, for the first time in her life. She could see why Iruka chose to become a teacher over advancing in the ranks.

Seeing the looks of anticipation amongst the remaining students, her grin only widened.

"Next pair: Takashi-kun and Satsuki-chan, you're up!"

Here amongst the children, Naruto could see a bright future.

"Speaking of bright…I wonder how Baa-chan will feel about a little decoration on the Hokage Mountain," the foxlike grin that slid onto her face caused some of the students near her to shiver with dread.

"I'm really starting to regret my decision." Tsunade stated, massaged the bridge of her nose as she leaned back into her chair.

On one side of her desk was her longtime apprentice and traveling companion, Shizune Kato. On the other was her second apprentice and aide, Sakura Haruno. Both of them stopped their own duties to give her twin looks of disbelief.

"Shishou, you knew it was only a matter of time before she pulled something like this," Sakura stated, picking up one of the paperwork stacks to put away while Shizune brought another one over to replace it. Much to Tsunade's dismay, as she grumbled clutching her pulsing temple.

The idea of placing Naruto in charge of a class of students had seemed so great at the time. Better than any of the other options that were at their disposal that would've made their intentions more obvious.

Following the end of the war, and the still on-going fight for peace amongst the nations. It was hard coming up with reasons to keep the blonde from taking on too many missions that reached out beyond their borders. Especially when there were a lot of high paying jobs being handed to them, all of the clientele obviously hoping to have the blonde be the one to fulfill their request.

Hell, it was only with the excuse of Naruto being trained to take her future duty as Hokage, which kept her from being recruited into the Daimyo's Fire Guardians. Even now whenever the man sent envoys, they would make it known that the position was open.

Not only did she have to deal with obstacles on the outside, but also those within. Naruto up until she had been placed in charge of the genin classes in order for the current Chūnin instructor to spend time with his family, had been the main one in her office begging for a mission. It took all of her persuasion skills to keep her in the village, and not fall for the puppy-dog eyes the hyperactive young woman sent her.

While the girl had grudgingly taken on the task at first, it became clear to everyone soon that she was enjoying herself. In fact, she was proving to be a very good instructor, which was a surprise for the girl who hadn't been too keen on the Academy when she was a child. Tsunade had been proud of her little brat, but she could've gone without reports of the Hokage Mountain being painted by the Academy Students under the watchful eye of Naruto. The reports on the ANBU chasing them all down, and somehow managing to lose them was just another reason that makes the older woman question her life decisions.

'ANBU is going to be put through the works…I really want a drink right now.' sighing, the Slug Sannin turned her attention back to the pile when clicking on the window caught her attention.

Brown eyes swiveled over at the noise, and she sighed once more at the sharp-eyed hawk glaring at her through the window. Her brow twitched at the sight.

'As if dealing with one brat wasn't enough," the urge to drink was rising and soon not even Shizune or Sakura's protests.

"Oh, it's another letter from Sasuke-kun!" the excitement in Sakura's voice shook her from Tsunade from her thoughts. She watched with amused eyes as the pink-haired kunoichi went over to allow the bird in, who hopped past her and then swooped in and gently landed on the pile of paperwork in front of her. Imperiously, the bird stuck its leg out towards the Hokage, looking down its beak at her causing a nerve to pulse in her temple.

'Yeah', she thought, she was definitely getting a drink. She didn't get paid nearly enough to deal with this bullshit.

End of Chapter Two: How You Mean Something…

Start Date: 4/3/2016

End Date: 3/6/2018 (Was done early on, but apparently I hadn't decided until now to end the chapter here. My bad!)

The next chapter should definitely be out sooner than this took.