"Really," Naruto beams at Karin before correcting Haku, "and it's our clan."
"Naruto-kun, I am not an Uzumaki," Haku states.
"So," Naruto answers with a shrug. "You're still apart of our clan."
"Agreed," Karin tells the beautiful boy, then continues to explain, "I've only just started, so there's still more to research, but I read a section on members of clans. To be a lawful member—that is to say legitimate in the eyes of the clan and the village—the person must be blood-related, married to a member, adopted by a member, or concubine of a prominent member, like the Head or heir.
Though concubinage seems to be one of the lowest ranks of a member."
"What are the other ranks of a low member," Haku asks, wondering if this'll work out. Knowing Naruto, he's not going to care about some law and simply declare Haku a member.
"A slave," Karin answers and despite the noodles in his mouth, Naruto is clearly disgusted to hear it. "Not to be confused with an indentured servant, who merely works for the clan," Karin continues.
"Slavery isn't really around anymore, which leads me to believe I read an out-dated book, but when it was more common, a slave was considered the property of the clan, thus, technically members but in the worst possible way."
"This should go without say, but when we make our rules, absolutely no slavery of any kind is allowed," Naruto tells them. Thinking of Hinata, he also adds, "even if one of our members marries a slave or low-rank member of another clan."
"Are you thinking about Hinata-chan," Haku asks, happy to see Naruto's cheeks blush.
"Ooooooohhhh," Karin sounds, scooting closer to the table as Naruto denies it. "Who's Hinata-chan? Is she your girlfriend?"
"No," an embarrassed Naruto calls back to Karin. "I don't have a girlfriend. Unfortunately, your cousin isn't exactly popular with the girls."
Haku actually snorts, and Karin practically bounces in her chair, asking Haku, "I want to know everything!"
As Haku starts, "well, Hinata-chan is just the sweetest girl and she looks like a princess, Ino-chan is stunning, a bit abrasive, but her heart's in the right place, then there's Sakura-chan... so far, I don't approve..."
Something sparks in Naruto's brain when Karin said she wanted to know everything. Sitting at a dining table, eating an awesome meal with loved ones, he suddenly realizes he has secrets that he doesn't want to keep from them but must.
However, it's also true Karin and Haku aren't normal people so it should be okay to tell them, but Kurenai's voice tells him, 'those closest to us are in the best position to betray us, even if they don't want to.'
Shaking his head, Naruto calls, "um, guys," interrupting gossip chatter. "I... don't want to lie to either of you. You both mean so much to me—I know I only just met you, Karin-chan, but you do too and we'll only get closer. Anyway, I have secrets, three of them, actually, and I don't want to keep them from you, but for now, it feels better that I do."
"Why not tell us," Karin asks.
Heart-hammering happy not to say more, a jovial Naruto instead asks Karin, "I thought you were going to be the Head?"
"May I start calling him Naruto-sama now," Haku merrily interjects.
"I don't see why not," Karin tells Haku with a shrug.
"Hey, wait," Naruto calls out feeling the conversation run away from him. "Why me? I don't know the first thing about running a clan."
"And you think running a village is going to be easier than running a clan," Karin asks. "Being Hokage isn't just fighting the toughest threats, you know. Like, eighty percent of the time, it's all sorts of meetings and a ton of paperwork and that's exactly what the head of the clan does."
Though Naruto looks nauseous at the thought of paperwork and meetings, Haku adds, "if you truly wish to become Hokage, this would be a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience."
"Besides, you're from the main branch of the Uzumaki bloodline," Karin points out. "It only makes sense that it's you... Naruto-sama."
"Well, if there's any chance of me accepting, then we're definitely not doing the whole -sama thing. No one's ever called me -san before. To go straight to -sama... that's too weird."
"Fine. Let's table this until after your coronation, Cousin-dono," Karin smirks. Before Naruto can dispute that honorific, Karin continues, "so Zabuza-san is in Konoha. Isn't that bad for you, Haku-kun? I know they told you to report meeting anyone from your past."
"They did," Haku confirms with no sense of fear for the repercussions. It's fairly evident Haku won't reveal Zabuza's presence in Konoha to the authorities. "He wouldn't be a master of silent killing if he wasn't also an infiltration specialist."
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