Kurama Father and Daughter

"Hmm? Clan Head Yamanaka?"

When Inoichi Yamanaka still didn't respond, Shinji looked puzzled. "Clan Head Nara, what's wrong with Inoichi?"

Shikaku Nara was just as confused.

He raised a hand and patted Inoichi's shoulder. "Hey! Inoichi?"

Only then did Inoichi snap back to his senses. He started to speak, then forced the words back down.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Inoichi glanced at Shinji Uchiha and frowned.

Shikaku had no idea what was going on.

Shinji stretched. "Well, the gifts are delivered. I'll be going now. Shall we leave together?"

"Sure..."

"Wait!"

Inoichi tugged at Shikaku's sleeve. "Please go ahead, Uchiha Clan Head. We'll leave in a bit. After all... it wouldn't be appropriate for us to be seen together."

Shikaku froze, then broke out in a cold sweat.

Seriously?

What's that supposed to mean?

I've only just started wavering, and before I could even talk you and Choji's father into seeing the situation clearly, you've picked a side for me?

Do you have any idea how precarious things are in Konoha right now?

It's not even impossible for an Uchiha to become Hokage before long!

"Oh... I suppose it wouldn't be appropriate."

Shinji Uchiha glanced at Inoichi.

He paid no mind to Inoichi's attitude and walked straight out of the hospital room.

Five minutes later.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched a group of doctors scramble to check their instruments, his face dark with anger.

"Didn't you say Danzo was showing signs of recovery?"

"Yes!"

A doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered shakily, "He has recovered, but only to a limited extent!"

"What does that mean?"

The doctor gave a strained smile. "Lord Hokage, Advisor Danzo... he was in excellent condition this morning. His bodily functions and injuries, which had completely stagnated as though frozen, showed improvement. But only a tiny bit. Now everything's gone still again, as if..."

"As if what?"

The doctor lowered his head and whispered, "As if he's been frozen again..."

Hiruzen's vision went dark. "Frozen again?"

"Yes..."

Off to one side, Inoichi frowned deeply. After a long hesitation, he took a step forward.

But...

Shikaku grabbed him and yanked him back.

Inoichi stumbled and nearly fell.

Hiruzen looked over and frowned. "What are you two doing?"

Shikaku's expression was grave, the scar on his face making him look all the more solemn. "Nothing. Inoichi tripped. Third Hokage, if there's nothing else, we'll be going."

"Go on."

Hiruzen waved a weary hand.

"Shikaku, why did you stop me?"

As soon as they left the hospital, Inoichi shook off his friend's arm and demanded an explanation.

Shikaku rubbed his forehead, looking troubled. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you? If you really want to get dragged into this, go back and tell the Third Hokage what you discovered! If you don't, say nothing and ask nothing. Just give me some time, all right?"

Inoichi paused. "You figured it out?"

Shikaku gave him an exasperated look. "Even if I were as dumb as a pig, I'd have figured it out the moment you refused to leave with Shinji Uchiha!"

Oblivious to the jab at him, Inoichi paced a couple of steps.

"So you think..."

"Enough!"

Worried his friend would say something he shouldn't, Shikaku cut him off and threw an arm around his shoulders.

"Let's get something to eat."

Hiruzen, up on the third floor, and the two friends walking away arm in arm had no idea that Shinji Uchiha had yet to leave the hospital.

Someone had stopped him.

A father and daughter stood in his way.

"Uchiha Clan Head, it's a pleasure to meet you again!"

Shinji stared at the young man before him, utterly baffled.

Beside the man stood a slender girl with a pale face.

She was a little taller, but she looked about Sasuke's age.

And again?

When did we first meet?

"You are?"

The man blinked, then smiled ruefully. "I'm Kurama Murakumo, the current head of the Kurama Clan..."

"Oh? The Kurama Clan Head?"

Shinji paused, then bowed slightly in apology. "Forgive me. I failed to recognize you. Is there something I can help you with?"

"I brought my daughter to the hospital for treatment..."

Shinji blinked. "Oh? Then please, don't let me keep you."

"No, no!" Kurama Murakumo hurriedly waved his hands, a hint of panic crossing his face. "That's not what I meant. Please forgive me..."

"No, you're my senior..."

"No, no! Uchiha Clan Head, I have a favor to ask!"

Kurama Murakumo's behavior caught Shinji off guard.

True, the Kurama Clan was a small clan Konoha had all but forgotten.

But why was its head acting so humble?

Shinji Uchiha shook his head inwardly. "Kurama Clan Head, if there's anything I can do to help, I won't hold back. Please, speak freely."

It wasn't that Shinji was a saint.

The Kurama Clan was small.

But if this opened a door for the Uchiha to connect with other clans, he would welcome it.

It was like buying a horse's bones for a fortune to show he valued fine horses.

Seeing Shinji Uchiha's sincerity, Kurama Murakumo breathed a sigh of relief.

"Uchiha Clan Head, if you have time, might I invite you for a drink? Uh... no, you don't look old enough to drink. I'm sorry, that was presumptuous!"

Shinji frowned...

"All right!"

With that, Shinji turned and walked away. "Follow me!"

"Ah..."

Kurama Murakumo stood rooted to the spot. The little girl flinched, her face growing even paler as she clutched her father's sleeve.

"Yakumo, don't be afraid. This young man isn't a bad person..."

Kurama Murakumo took his daughter's hand and followed Shinji Uchiha.

Along the way, father and daughter stayed close behind him, treading carefully.

The sight made Shinji frown again.

Before long, the three of them were seated.

Holding his teacup, Shinji studied the father and daughter across from him.

Before Kurama Murakumo could speak, Shinji looked at the timid girl and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you want me to treat your daughter?"

Kurama Murakumo froze. "Uchiha Clan Head..."

"Please stop calling me that. You're my senior. Just call me Shinji."

"Yes... Shinji."

Hope filled Kurama Murakumo's eyes. "Can you tell what's wrong with my daughter?"

"She isn't sick..."

Shinji Uchiha thought for a moment, then shook his head. "More precisely, her condition isn't a disease."

Kurama Murakumo stared. "Then..."

Kurama Yakumo was stunned too.

If it wasn't a disease, didn't that still mean something was wrong?

The spark of hope that had just lit in her eyes seemed ready to go out.

Shinji Uchiha took a sip of tea. "As the head of an ancient clan, you must know about Kekkei Genkai Disease."

Kurama Murakumo's face went deathly pale. "...Kekkei Genkai Disease?"

"That's right."

Shinji Uchiha reached out and patted young Yakumo on the head.

"'Kekkei' means bloodline inheritance. A Kekkei Genkai is a gift passed down through blood, from one generation to the next. Many people turn pale at the mention of Kekkei Genkai Disease, but it isn't as frightening as they think."

Kurama Yakumo asked timidly, "S-so you can cure me?"

Shinji Uchiha said, "I can. Just not right now."

Kurama Murakumo froze, then brightened with delight. "Shinji, you mean...?"

Shinji Uchiha thought for a moment.

"I'm not a doctor..."