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A Naruto Fan Fiction
"The Lady and the Tramp"
By Bloody Priestess
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Summary: Set in the heart of Victorian London, the sheltered, prim and proper young miss of the affluent Hyuuga clan, Hinata and the scandalously rakish Earl of Wolfeton, Naruto Uzumaki must team up and to succeed, they must put up an act to catch a killer amidst a sea of so-called 'friends'.
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Disclaimer: The author does not own Naruto and any of it related commodities and etc...
Any inaccuracies are the authors own. Be informed that most inaccuracies or "mistakes", if you will, is done for the flow of this fanfics story—its plot, setting and etc. I'll spoil one 'inaccuracy'—the character's names will have an added 'middle' or 'second' English name, in an attempt to assimilate them into the setting—England, 18th century. (random example: Masato Damien Akiyama)
Evidently, the author will only be using the original characters' likeness and characteristics/abilities (minus their ninjistu capabilities, of course). Hehe!
Be warned that this is VERY AU-ish!
Okay, here we go—
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Chapter One: The Recital
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They say, music soothes the savage beast. But on this musical recital, music unleashed the beast instead of subduing it.
And unleashed it was.
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Confidence, Hinata, confidence. She stressed silently, trying her utmost best to maintain a neutral veneer. Butter yellow and honey-gold silk skirts fetchingly pooled around her feet as she seated before herself before the pianoforte. The instrument was in the center of one of the mansion's drawing room that held refreshments and had access to the grand ballroom. With a shy sort of grace, she extended her hands to the keys—
This is simply like your rehearsal sessions… She told herself… Umm, without the crowd though… and never in my wildest imagination cast my "audience" with Neji's most important acquaintances and business associates! She felt a cold side run down her spine.
In her pristine white elbow-length gloves her hands grew clammy, her heart pounded hard against her ribcage as if she just completed a marathon. But then, the stern words of her governess and chaperone, Miss Yuhi taught her penetrated her worry-ridden mind.
"It is improper for a young lady to show unnecessary emotions."
And like clockwork, Hinata straightened her spine and lowered her lashes, casting a shadow over her pale blue-hued eyes—the Hyuuga family's natural and family-shared heirloom.
It was the only heirloom she was to have (her dowry and set inheritance aside), now that he controls everything her deceased parents left in the realm of the living.
In this time and age, it was unheard of in society to have a mere woman handle the estates of her family, even though she was the direct descendant of the original proprietor of the estate. She was NOT to handle the any of her father's estates. So, in consequence, the estate along with the money all goes to the control of the closest male relative—in this case, to her cousin—Neji Gallagher Hyuuga.
For a matter of fact, all these people were all gathered here tonight in this ball to formally welcome the estates' new landlord. And she was here to demonstrate her positive reception to the turn of events.
This was most unfair, Hinata thought. She was every bit capable of running her family estates as he cousin was. At the very least, the Hyuuga family's solicitors could have considered her as a candidate for the property ownership and management. After all, this spherical object held up by her neck was not some empty shell like what men and the rest of the Ton deemed all women have. Most, most unfair!
DUM!
Incensed, she pounded her hands down to the keys and created an incensed, discordant noise that accurately reflected her mood.
Several pairs of eyes shot up to her. And Hinata felt her cheeks burn. She tried to avoid their stares but it was too late! She met the most damning of them all—her cousin's disapproving gaze.
Oh, those pale, pale lavender-blue eyes of his! Oh how they unnerved her to her wit's limits… as always. They were like her beloved, deceased parents… like her Hyuuga grandparents and all the Hyuugas that came before her. Oh how she feared to cause any disapproval from them. And there Neji was, doing the very thing she dreaded.
Things were expected of her for she was a Hyuuga. It was her responsibility to uphold the honor the name and the family.
Calm down. Hina repeated like a prayer in face of Death. Breathe.
Turning to a task to divert her thoughts, she fixed her hands over the ivory and ebony keys of the pianoforte. And lightly, began playing a melodic tune. At that prompt, Hina's mind instantly fill with mind the blissful, serene and secure memories of her childhood.
She thought of the time when her father was simply her father. She thought of the time when he was not so critical, demanding and dismissive of her. Focusing on the happy moments—her carefree and jovial mood mirror this impromptu concerto. The rhythm and notes played were quite simple with light, mellow, and clear peals like that of a crisp, cheery spring day. Somehow piece met the intention which was to set the ambiance of harmony as the guests and host mingle about, acquainting and reacquainting with friends and strangers in the room…
This was what she has been schooled all her life to do, Hina realized with a jolt. She ought to be proud. Here she had a pleasing piece to flaunt and if unneeded, easy discarded. But she was… not.
Her dark brows met. A lie, she thought. Thus, allowing herself this lone moment of honesty. This, musical piece, with all its light, mellow and cheery intent… Cheery? Ha. Hinata wanted to crash her fingers on the ivory keys once again and scream at the top of her lungs: Oh circumstance! You made me lie! I can see the fact as clear as day… That from this point on—I have to pretend… WHY?
Her livid hands stopped midway in their collision-course descent to the keys. That's quite enough. She scolded herself, Doing such will not do you any merit doing that here. Do what you wish when you're alone…
Chastised, her finger tips landed gently unto the keys and resumed its merry little tune.
…But she could not! She would not! She WILL not allow her cousin to wield that power to put her to such unrest. He had everything else—she will NOT simply hand such leverage over her. With that thought, her chin angled stubbornly. She'll show him! She'll revolt if the need be!
Hinata paused and thought of her Hyuuga ancestors, whose forbidding portraits hung on the walls in this austere mansion's library… and what must they think of her if she… She was not raised to be so insufferable…
Very well, she compromised, a little! I'll rebel… a little. In small doses, just enough to keep me sane and not so gullible… Hinata's fingers traversed the length of the keys… The light, almost whimsical tunes were suddenly gone… each new press produced a deep and hollow chord and soon followed after by another similar deep, hollow chord. She'll begin her campaign… Yes, starting with this farce of a musical piece!
Her fingers quickly flitted across and drummed them deeply yet skillfully without compromising the sturdy, thrillingly ardent melody… Hina listened to the sound she produced. It seemed to her that with each note, brought her a little closer to whatever it was she was looking for… A place, seemed almost accurate… That is right… A place.
Somewhere… away… from… this… lie. Her fingers crashed down to the keys, beautifully this time…
For it is believed that music is at its most beautiful when the heart guides.
And Hinata Isabelle Hyuuga played on… and on… and on.
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He was on the prowl, drawn to the epicenter of the hauntingly familiar and resounding tunes of the pianoforte. Cradling his drink on one hand and the other shoved deep into his trousers, he approached the amassed crowd in the far side of the refreshment room.
His eyes flickered over the heads of the onlookers to the dark-haired young lady before the instrument. He could keenly sense her frustration as it poured out in the rapidly shifting sharp notes. He could sense a suppressed voice screaming of its existence in every deep and resonant note.
And those bright blue eyes of his darken becomingly as they held the sight of a glint of defiance in the lady piano player's pale lavender-blue eyes. They looked quite murderous. He smiled at the latter observation. It was not everyday one gets to witness such honesty from a woman.
The young lady played on… She was oblivious to he, who Society called the "Wolf Demon" was watching her (like the creature he was named after) does to his next meal. But the pale-eyed girl saw nothing beyond but the piano before her…
She was so blissfully unaware.
And to some extent, he was glad. Yes, it's quite presumptuous of him to think that she wrote that piece just for him. He never met, or seen her before. And so, he ceased his illogical musings but she… continued to play with brusque precision. He listened... and what he heard rendered him to amused astonishment.
The first movement reminded him of the happy-go-lucky streak that was him—light, seamless and carefree. And now this… this, almost haunting and daunting second movement, epitomized his current gloom-and-doom disposition and tedious charade he lives his life for…
And the haunting melody seared into his being… He closed his eyes, allowing the music to wash over him. With each chord she struck, it told of what it was like to be him…
Uzumaki wondered what the next—uh, if the piece had a thir—
Abruptly, the playing stopped in mid-note. A blonde eyebrow rose at the tall, dark haired male that leaned down and whispered something into her ear, making the pianist's dark head shot upward to the man's face. Naruto watched the girl nod submissively, rise from the pianoforte before sinking in a deep curtsy at her politely applauding audience.
The very moment she left the proximity of the piano, her presence was replaced by a gorgeous blonde beauty and her sparkling, haughty gray eyes in a dramatic black gown with narrow sleeves, trimmed with soft lilac and stern purple lace with a matching small little cap—a sign of her mourning.
As most masculine eyes remained glue on the new performer, (some where even whispering gossips of deceit, disloyalty which had lead to the mysterious death of the current piano performer, Ino Yamanaka's older brother, Taka a few months ago…) Naruto's eyes never left the dark-haired girl. He was still drawn to the chastised dark haired pianist… "Who are you?"
Uzumaki's tutor's heard that and turned to him. "That," Kakashi Valentin Hatake began, grinning from ear to ear, "I reckon, is our host's cousin… Hinata, I believe is her name."
He processed the information shared by the man who tutored him back when he was in knee-breeches, and now was his man-of-affairs. Uzumaki brought the glass to his mouth, eying the Hyuuga heiress's retreating figure. "Hinata." Naruto repeated softly. Hmmm…
He sensed the amused look Hatake was giving him. Naruto turned and muttered insolently, "I don't believe I asked you, man." Damn, what's with this man? Does he think me to be a simpleton? Yes, it is true that I am new to society—given, that I've just come to my title... But damnation! I know whose party this is, for heaven's sake!
The earl detected the probing look from Kakashi's infamous one eye—his tutor's unpatched eye… and continued in the most blasé tone he could execute. "She plays well." He said smoothly, stuffing a hand deeper into his snug breeches pockets while the other brought his drink to his mouth for another sip of the fiery liquid.
Kakashi, all the more amused, sneered at that. He was not buying Uzumaki's blasé tone… He's interested, he thought. "Well, this sure is a first! Never have you been interested in any of the prim and proper, accomplished young ladies we find in social gatherings like this."
"What, pray tell is wrong with…" A crisp female voice rejoined from behind the gentleman and the earl, "...an accomplished girl? After all, isn't what gentlemen such as yourselves specifically sought to find in balls such as these?" An exquisite woman of about two and thirty stepped forward and continued. "The very sort of female person, this society strictly demands as it attempts to fashion with her many rules and severe chastisement at the smallest of offense?"
"Ah," Kakashi bowed, (And grinning, Naruto noticed). "Miss Kurenai." The eye-patched man greeted her.
"Mr. Hatake." She acknowledged with inclination of her corkscrew-curled, dark brown head. Her posture elegantly bent in her deep curtsy, but there an understated mocking quality to it.
Kakashi Hatake's grin did not falter, no, not for bit, despite the scathing quality of her dark brown eyes. "I mean no offense, Miss Yuhi, surely you know that, for it is NOT I who implied such things about your charge." He shrugged slightly, tossing a short yet meaningful eye at the young, new earl.
Naruto wanted to hit his former tutor but remained an immovable figure under the measuring glance of the gorgeous, lady's chaperone.
Just when the young blond was starting to get uncomfortable under the strain, Kakashi finally had the civility to begin the introductions. "Oh yes, before I completely forget my manners… (The woman snorted softly at what Hatake said.) This is Miss Kurenai Ivette-May Yuhi, professional lady's companion and chaperone. And this, dear lady, is the Earl of Wolfeton, Naruto Devon Uzumaki."
It is a peculiar predicament to be assessed by one's employee, Naruto thought. He hired Miss Yuhi to be his "step" sister's chaperone. This was the first time he had been personally introduced to Miss Yuhi. He was able to hire her through the recommendation of Kakashi and his other London solicitors, while he was still overseas— attending to buying out the rest of his commission in HRM's warship Vesper, so that he can finally take his place in Society as was his responsibility.
"I would say it is an honor, your lordship," Said she, though displaying every gesture of geniality, her speech retained its icy edge, "For it is a reality that the esteemed matronly mothers and chaperons of a great many young ladies in this room aspire to have to have the same privilege as I have now."
Would? Naruto laughed.
And she obviously grasped why he did so; and Hmf-ed, as those with pride (who could empathize) would expect. It was her intention to cut the young earl with biting, carefully worded politeness but apparently, Wolfeton found it amusing instead of impertinence!
And so Naruto said, "Surely, ma'am, I don't mean to think that I have anything against your gender—you, or your charge with what I've implied or not. I mean nothing. Being a lady and all, you should understand men say odd things in the cigar room."
"Indeed…" Men! And their excuses! Her critical eye was on the blond before settling on Kakashi. She looked as if she was measuring the young blonde man's worth. Her eyes missed nothing... He was dressed to the nines in a handsomely, not to mention, expensively tailor formal evening wear done in a rich dark blue. "Well." She began, her pitch denoting finality of her own conclusions about the new, young Earl of Wolfeton. "I see, you have taught him everything YOU know, Mr. Hatake." Brusquely, she curtseyed with finality. "Good evening, Mr. Hatake. Good evening, my lord."
Kakashi brought his fingers to his brow in mock salute. For he alone understood the obscure meaning in her "polite" words. As for Naruto, the young earl bowed. When Kurenai was out of sight, the tutor good-humouredly slapped his tutee's back and gripped the younger man's shoulder in a playful clasp. "Whatever plans you have for any of Miss Kurenai's charges… Forget it, kid."
Naruto shrugged the manly grip off his broad shoulders. He said, "Not in this lifetime, Kakashi," and calmly stalked off and disappeared in the crowd.
The male with an eye patch over his left eye, watched his student and chuckled, after quickly draining his glass of port one gulp. "You're wrong, my dear Kurenai… Naruto has yet to learn… the admission of defeat."
Like I have… with you.
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End of Chapter One
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Author's Notes: Hello there! It's so nice to have you here and reading this… This is my attempt in writing historical fiction. I have a special 'game face' for this… _. Kidding aside, you may well observe a special "wording" (old-timey talk) all through out this fic. There is method to my madness, I assure you. :3
The pilot chapter is somewhat meant to test the reception of the genre (historical romance/mystery) with this Manga/Anime show. Tell me how do you find the story so far?
This is just the beginning… I assure you, things will get more interesting and complex as the story progresses.
Here's a tip (or two) in reading this: Watch out for analogies, parallelisms, paradoxes, ironies and occasional lecture about propriety versus what is the "heart set on doing" that are stitched here and there.
Ya'll know… I'd really like to hear from you guys… your thoughts, your views, your suggestions… please keep it constructive! ;)
Any hoot, thank you ever so much! And I hope to hear from you real soon! Review, review, review! Ciao. Ü
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