The Hyuga Affair

When Minato heard the news that the Land of Lightning was offering peace terms, he had barely believed it. It almost seemed to good to be true. It was not until he learned of the coming of the Head Ninja of the Cloud to sign the treaty, that it seemed to be real. It had been only a short time after Naruto's third birthday, which Minato was glad about; he didn't want Naruto to be dragged out to war as well. The treaty signing went well, and Minato was happy to come home that day to tell Kushina his day.

"Daddy!" Naruto called out as he ran up to his father.

"Hey Naruto!" Minato said, picking his son up, "Did you give your mom any trouble?"

"He's our kid," Kushina said, as she came out of the kitchen, "What do you think?" Minato chuckled, as put Naruto on his shoulders.

"People are already saying that he takes after you," he said, "I wonder how he'd look with red hair."

"You mean like Mommy's hair?" Naruto asked, as he tried to envision himself with red hair, "Hmm…"

"Then he wouldn't look like Naruto," Kushina said, smiling at her son, "So, how did the meeting go?" Minato smiled as well.

"The head Cloud ninja looked quite sincere in his peace plans," he said, "I think the war's finally come to an end."

"What's 'war'?" Naruto asked, looking down at his parents. They both looked up at him, their smiles fading.

"Something that you'll hopefully never experience," Minato said.

"Are you sad?" Naruto asked, cocking his head.

"No," Kushina said with a gentle smile, "Actually, we're very happy."

(later that night)

Generally, when the family went to sleep, Naruto slept between his parents, admittedly mostly because of Kushina's insistence. Not that it was a problem or anything, Minato was happy to have his whole family with him during the night. Somehow it helped him sleep more soundly. Not that he it didn't leave him unaware, though there were times he wished it did.

When he heard the door knock, he sat up, being careful not to disturb his wife or son. Fortunately though, both of them were quite heavy sleepers. Minato went to the door, and when he opened it, he saw an Anbu at his door. The Hokage yawned.

"Its the middle of the night," Minato said, rubbing his eyes, "This better be…"

"Lord Hiashi just killed the Cloud's Head Ninja!" Needless to say, that woke Minato up.

(at the Hyuga compound)

"…and when I saw my daughter in his grasp, I simply acted on instinct," Hiashi Hyuga finished.

"I understand," Minato said, with a nod, "I definitely would've done the same thing." The moment after he got the news, he had headed directly over to the Hyuga compound, to speak with Hiashi and the others. The Third Hokage was there as well. They were now all assembled by candlelight, in the main room.

"I imagine this will rekindle the war," a Hyuga elder said, "There is no doubt that the Cloud will deny everything."

"Not necessarily," Hiruzen said, as he puffed his pipe, "I imagine that the Cloud will try and find a more diplomatic solution out of this."

"They're just as worn out as we are," Minato said, "They don't want a revived conflict anymore than we do."

"Then they'll definitely deny a part in this," Hiashi said, "If they admit it, they'll be inviting even more suspicion from other nations, so they'll likely claim this ninja acted on his own."

"Or outright deny it happened," the elder commented, "The Cloud aren't good at accepting blame." Minato rubbed his temples in frustration. Just when things seemed like they were going to be resolved, this had to happen, not that he blamed Hiashi. Hiashi was on the same team as Minato when they were genin, but more importantly, he was also one of Minato's closest friends and comrade.

"We haven't gotten a response yet," Hiruzen said, folding his hands, and glaring at the candle, which was getting progressively shorter, "We can't act until then, and no doubt the Cloud are debating what to do just as much as we are."

"Alright," Minato said, rising to his feet, "We'll adjourn until tomorrow. I think we could all use some serious rest." The group dispersed, and as Minato left, he saw Hiashi standing on the engawa, staring at the night sky, so Minato decided to talk with him.

"Again, I don't blame you," he said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder, "You were just being a dad." Hiashi glanced at the Hokage with his white eyes, and took a breath.

"I should have been with you when that masked man attacked you," he said, "You would've done the same for me." Minato smiled at that.

"Hinata just turned three, didn't she?" he asked, "Maybe she and Naruto can be friends?" Hiashi smiled at that as well, chuckling slightly. But the smile soon faded, as it turned into a frown.

"I already know what's going to happen," he said, looking back at the sky, "They're going to be calling for my head." Minato couldn't help but recoil back at that, before furrowing his brow with resolve.

"I'm not going to let that happen," he said.

"You might not have a choice," Hiashi said, "Don't assume I'm opposed to that idea." That caught Minato off guard.

"What?"

"I am more than willing to give my life, it means protecting the village," Hiashi said, looking straight at his teammate, "Jiraya-Sensei taught us the importance of sacrifice. I don't want Hinata or Naruto to go to war like we did. If my death means that won't happen, then its a small price to pay."

"Don't go jumping to anything just yet," Minato said, "We don't know what's gong to happen yet."

"Perhaps," Hiashi said, looking back at the sky, but he didn't sound convinced. The signals became apparent, as Minato departed. As he headed back to his house, he pondered about what would possess the Cloud to do this. Was this just the work of a lone wolf? Perhaps Minato could get into contact with the Rain Trio to find out what was happening; if anyone could find out what was going on, they could.

Eventually, he arrived at home, and open the door. When he did, he saw Kushina sitting on the couch, holding a sleeping Naruto.

"Have you been up this whole time?" Minato asked. Kushina ran her hand through her son's hair.

"So, what's happening?" she asked softly. Minato sighed, as he sat in the chair across from her.

"I don't know yet," he answered, "Hopefully we'll find out tomorrow, so I'm going to have to go back later." Kushina looked at her husband sympathetically.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Its not your fault," Minato said, "Its this damn world."

(the next day at the Hyuga compound)

Turns out Hiashi was right. The Cloud was now demanding the life of their ninja's murderer; an eye for an eye. Minato hated that concept.

"There's got to be another way!" he insisted.

"Well, there isn't," Hiashi said bluntly. Minato was in the compound with Hiashi, Hyuga clan elders, Hiruzen, as well as the de-facto head of the branch family, Hizahi, who was also Hiashi's twin brother.

"I thought I made it clear to you that I was willing to do this," Hiashi said calmly, "This is what must be done, and I'm more than ready to do it." Minato clenched his fists; how was he supposed to live with himself, if he knew he sent his teammate and best friend to his death?

"There's actually another way," the elder said. All eyes immediately went to the elder, thinking he had just saved the day; Minato for an instance certainly did.

"They only asked for Hiashi's body, that means what they really want is the Byakugan," the elder continued, "So to that tend, perhaps if we were to send Hizashi in Hiashi's place, the Byakugan would be sealed, and we would avoid this issue." A silence quickly set over the room. Minato opened his mouth to respond, but Hiashi beat him to it.

"I won't allow that," he said firmly.

"The Byakugan is a treasured secret of the Leaf," the elder elaborated, "You know what were to happen should it fall into the hands of the enemy. This is the purpose of the branch families." Hiashi balked at that, as did Minato.

"Hiashi, you are the head of the clan. This must be; it is our destiny, our fate." Hiashi clenched his fists in frustration.

"Come now, my Lord," Hizashi said, smirking at his brother, "I always thought of you as decisive."

"This isn't the time for…." Hiashi was silenced when Hizashi struck him in the stomach, knocking his twin to the ground, much to everyone's surprise.

"Hizashi," Minato muttered.

"But… why…," Hiashi groaned, "You have Neji, you can't die now. And for what? For a cause I know you don't believe in?"

"That's incorrect," Hizashi responded, "I'm not doing this for the head family; I'm still full of nothing but resentment for them. I'm doing this for my village, and for you, my brother, whom I love." Hiashi, while unable to give up, looked up at Hizashi in surprise at this.

"This is the first decision I am truly making of my own free will," the twin elaborated, "All Neji has ever known of me was my spite and anger. But now, I can and will act justly." Hiashi clenched his teeth in frustration, and looked up at his teammate.

"Minato! Why aren't you protesting?" Minato was silent for a time, as he stared at the floor and clenched his fists.

"Hizashi, is this truly what you desire?" he asked.

"It is," Hizashi answered with a nod. Minato thought about that for a time, before taking a deep breath.

"Then who am I to tell you not to."

"Minato!" Hiashi snapped.

"This is Hizahi's decision," Minato said, looking back at his friend, "It is not either your or my place to stop him." Hiashi knew Minato was right, but that didn't make him feel any better. Hizashi just smiled at his brother, nodded at his Hokage, who returned the nod, as he turned, and started to walk away.

"I'm going to write Neji a quick message," he said, "Make sure he reads it." Hiashi hissed at that. Did his brother think that was going to bring his son any comfort as he mourned his father's death?

"You damn fool!" he growled as he slowly pulled himself to his hands and knees, "Don't go surrendering your life just to feel free for a time!"

"I'm not choosing death," he answered, as he reached the door, "I'm just choosing my own fate." With that, he opened it.

"Goodbye, my brother."

(out in the yard)

Hinata was squatting over a flower, looking closely at a butterfly. She smiled at the sight of the little creature, before it suddenly fluttered, and her face fell in disappointment. But then the girl sensed a presence, and looked up to see a spiky-haired blonde the same age as her standing over her.

"Hi!" On reflex, Hinata backed away shyly.

"My name's Naruto!" the boy said, with a big smile. Hinata shifted on her feet slightly, as she looked at the ground.

"H… hello," she finally said. There was a period of silence, as the two toddlers faced each other.

"So, what's your name?" Naruto finally asked. Hinata looked up in surprise at this, though Naruto just kept looking at her intently.

"I told you my name, so now you have to tell me your name!" he said pointing.

"H… Hinata," the girl finally stuttered.

"Nice to meet you Hinata!" Naruto said, smiling, "Now let's go!"

"Go?" Hinata asked, cocking her head, "Go where?"

"Go play!" Naruto answered. He then grabbed Hinata's hand, and before the girl could protest, Naruto pulled her away, and soon enough, the two of them were playing with each other, as the boy chased Hinata around the yard. Hinata was nervous at first, but soon found herself playing along.

Watching the children from the engawa, were their mothers. Both of them smiled at the sight of their children chasing each other.

"I remember when kids had to be learning to kill each other, instead of playing," Kushina mused.

"Indeed," Harumi Hyuga commented, as she watched her daughter. She and Kushina were childhood friends, and though Harumi wasn't a kunoichi herself, but she was one of the first people who didn't make fun of Kushina for her red hair when they were children.

"For all we know, maybe they'll be a couple someday," Kushina suggested with a chuckle.

"An Uzumaki and a Huyga?" Harm pondered, as she let that thought set in, "I'm not sure if that'd be a pleasant or unpleasant thought."

"Is that a compliment?" Kushina asked, arching an eyebrow.

"What would you like to hear?" There was a silence, before the friends both laughed. However, all of a sudden, they stopped laughing. At the same time, the kids stopped playing, and looked around.

"Do you feel that?" Kushina asked, "That feeling that just came up?"

"Yes," Harumi said, "Its…." There were probably plenty of words to describe it, but they couldn't describe the fully describe what it felt like. Shortly after, the door opened, and Minato came out.

"Minato, what happened?" Kushina asked, as she stood up. Minato stared at the ground, as he clenched his fists.

"We need to go home," he said, "I'll tell you there." Kushina generally wouldn't accept that as an answer, but she could sense the feeling she had.

"Someone just had to die,"Kurama said from within her, but Kushina didn't need him to tell her that.

"Oh well, see you soon Kushina," Harumi said with a nod.

"Likewise," Kushina answered, before turning and calling, "Come on Naruto, time to go home!" Naruto looked up at his mother with surprise.

"We've got to go?" Naruto asked, "But…."

"No buts sweetie," Kushina interrupted, as she came over and picked him up, "You'll see Hinata again soon." Naruto pouted, but didn't protest, before looking at Hinata.

"Bye!" he said waving. Hinata again hesitated, but eventually smiled and waved back, as the family left. She then felt her mother's hands on her shoulders, and when she looked up, she saw her mother with a solemn expression.

"What's wrong, Mother?" Hinata asked softly. Harumi was silent for a time, as she looked over her shoulder.

"Nothing you have to know for now," she said, as she picked her daughter up, and noticed her husband stepping out. The only way his expression could be described as was "angry".

Note: Now I know that in canon, Minato did have some team mates, but seeing as they are never acknowledged aside from a brief appearance, I figured there was no reason not to expand on it with some fanon. So that end, I opted to give Hiashi and Minato an additional dynamic; you'll be seeing a number of these in the story as things go on.

That concludes the Huyga affair, though it pretty much proceeded as it did in canon. However, some consequences may start to play in later in the series. I'll leave it at that for now.

Next chapter, things will continue, as a particularly infamous event begins to simmer.

Be sure to review.