New Leaf

7

"And you let him marry himself to Neji Hyuga?" Kakashi asked in disbelief.

"It's Uzumaki now but that is essentially what happened," Tsunade sighed as she poured herself another drink. "I'm not particularly fond of you either Kakashi."

"I've been hearing complaints these last few months," The silver-haired man sighed.

"I'm sure you can understand, those who know Naruto's true origins, his parents, and the shinobi Naruto has garnered on his side are very upset with your choice to side with Sasuke in the dispute."

"He's a kid, he didn't deserve to be stripped of his shinobi license," Kakashi defended and Tsunade gave him a glare.

"Well I guess you're right, too bad he's going to be a Genin for the rest of his life."

"You cannot be serious," He looked appalled and Tsunade waved him off.

"Play stupid games and take your stupid prizes. I'm not allowing a murderer to represent my village and the council will back my decision. Besides Sasuke being the least of my concerns, my current concern is you. Why are you here to complain about Naruto?"

"He's still refusing to show up for team meetings, I've issued several warnings."

Tsunade hummed before pulling out Naruto's file and flipping through it. "Well he's certainly not boycotting, he's been going on a series of solo B-ranked missions. He's gone on record saying he wants to be removed from Team 7, I've granted him that request and made you aware of that status update. Why are you here reporting on a Chunin that's not even on your team, Naruto's replacement has been going to the meetings."

"I didn't think you were serious-"

"Oh? Didn't you take my word as law? Why would you assume I was not being serious?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "I don't think you understand your current position Kakashi. You've gone ahead and disregarded my direct order!"

"You've never cared before," He tried to protest but that made her destroy her desk.

"Well, I care when it involves the closest thing to a son I have with Jiraiya!" She grabbed him by the throat and began choking him. "You listen to me and heed my law. Leave Naruto alone, he's no longer under your hand, you lost that privilege when you betrayed him for Sasuke. Keep an eye on the bastard you view as your golden egg. And mark my word, the next time Naruto has a complaint against you, I will have you stripped of your ranking."

She threw him out of her office.

***********

Naruto was having lunch when he got a scroll containing updated information on the situation between him and Kakashi. He was pleased with the outcome but knew it wasn't the end of it. For now, he would turn back to his training with Kurama. He needed to get a grasp on the Tailed Beast's power in order to protect himself and his wife. He looked over at Neji sitting in their shared living room mending some of Naruto's clothes with precision. While he was pleased his wife could take care of the home he was displeased with how he came to know about such methods.

It was how he was raised. While Hinata may have misunderstood their relationship, that wasn't the case for Neji, he was made to be Hinata's future guard when she overtook the clan. He would be her shadow, her servant, taking care of tedious tasks such as household things. The skills that made him a desirable wife were the forced acts his uncle made him participate in, in order to become a right hand to his daughter. Knowing that made his skin crawl. He looked away when Neji turned to him.

"Is something wrong?" Neji called out and Naruto didn't have the heart to respond. He heard shuffling before Neji's face rested in front of his face. Naruto kept his expression blank as Neji cupped his cheek. "What's wrong?"

Naruto sighed before kissing him. The brown-haired ninja squeaked before kissing back, melting as Naruto pulled him into his lap. His hands rested on Naruto's chest, feeling the steady thump of the blonde's heartbeat. They pulled back once Naruto was satisfied. "I was just admiring your wifely tendencies but realized they were forced on you."

Neji shook his head amused as he wrapped his arms around Naruto's neck. "Yes it was forced but I'm glad I know in order to impress and serve you. You're the only person who will ever see this side of me, no one else will know."

The blonde smiled and he was content in knowing that this side of his wife would remain with him. He pressed a kiss to his cheek and went back to eating lunch as Neji got up to finish mending the clothes and putting them back in the closet before cleaning the bathroom. It was such a quiet Sunday. Rather peaceful and Naruto wanted to take Neji out on a date. "Do you want to go out tonight?" 

Neji looked up and nodded. The blonde smiled. "Where do you want to go?" 

"I want to go outside the village," Neji confessed. "I don't want it to be just one night." 

"You want a vacation, traveling perhaps?" Naruto turned to him and his wife nodded. "Okay, I can arrange that." 

Neji looked confused and Naruto chuckled softly. "Jiraiya, my father of sorts is planning to have me explore the world and build my power. This is an extended training trip that could go on for a few years. While I don't expect you to follow me all over the world I would like you to be on a portion of it as that is when I plan to get rid of the cursed seal." 

Neji started tearing up at the mention of his cursed seal. 

"We've done our research and managed to find the origins that the Hyuga clan took the seal from and altered it, if I can reverse and break down the seal then you'll be free. I want to do this away from the land of fire so we wouldn't be held in treason." 

"You're too good to me," Neji confessed, his voice choking up as he rushed over to the blonde. "I don't deserve you." 

"You don't I'll probably be more harm than good but if I can make you happy then I don't mind staying by your side," Naruto stroked his back as he kissed his cheek. "You deserve the world Neji and don't let your clan's abuse tell you otherwise."