Accept Me
Prologue: Knighting Ceremony
A heartbeat, a swallow and deep sigh escaped her lips as she stood proudly beside the Princess of Konohakagure but this time, she was no longer wearing her long black dress and white apron. Instead she proudly wore her leather armour while both her daggers rested in her scabbard by her hips.
This ceremony was held in the presence of the highest members of the militia. She was to be knighted as the first female in history to be welcomed into the Royal Inner Circle. This consisted of the most elite warriors in Konohakagure and the king's guard: Royal Inner Circle.
"And so we gather here for the first time in history…" King Hiashi's voice echoed through the courtroom. "I call forth Tenten to step forward and kneel to the congregation."
Her heartbeat quickened as she tightened her fists. Those words that were elegantly declared by the king beckoned her to approach his throne and kneel by his steps. The only thing that kept her fainting was Princess Hinata's small smile that manifested in her emotions of comfort and enthusiasm. After all, if it weren't for the princess's recommendation, the King would not have held such a prestige ceremony.
She was glad and couldn't imagine this ceremony being done without the princess. The dark blue haired woman bound in an elegant gown stepped in front of Tenten to address the crowd and prepare her knighting.
"The life of Tenten has proved that everything would be against her. From her first years of life she had been a slave – past down from household to household. This eventually led her under my service. As you have heard, her path would have only remained that of servitude. Yet despite the odds, we are here to honour her and raise her status of immeasurable importance.
"For, without her, I would not be here today to place the cape of the Inner Circle around her. She is the reason I am alive." From there, Princess Hinata nodded at the front row where Rock Lee and Kiba Akamaru stepped forward. Both men held onto one end of the heavy cape that was first worn by the very first king's guard Hamura Otsutsuki himself.
The two Royal Inner Circle members draped it onto Tenten's shoulder as they straightened it out on the stairs.
The audience observed the gold embroidered, silver laced and jewel incrusted design, which consisted of the Hyuuga and Outsuki clan symbols. It was now time for Hinata to continue on the procedure by accepting the sceptre from her younger sister Hanabi as she used it to tap both sides of Tenten's shoulder.
Once she finished, Hinata stepped back to give her father the space to command the attention once more. He pulled his ceremonial gold sword and asked in a loud booming voice, "Do you, Tenten, accept the duties of what it takes to be part of the King's Guard – The Royal Inner Circle?" Her head remained bowed as she felt the blade of the sword hover over one shoulder.
"I do."
"Then I, King Hyuuga Hiashi of Konohakagure, ordain Tenten to be honoured amongst the Royal Inner Circle as a fellow warriors. To hold in highest regards of the duties and title of the RIC Warriors." With a simple and sweeping move, King Hiashi tapped the blade on both of her shoulders before resting it on the pillow that Neji held onto.
When she raised her head she caught sight of the king's nephew, the captain of the militia, co-captain of the RIC Warriors and her new boss. She swallowed the ball in her throat as she waited for further instructions.
"You may now stand and address the congregation as we acknowledge your new title."
The adrenaline exploded from her heart and clouded her brain with pride; properly protecting her from her slight worries. Instead she allowed her heart to swell with joy as she stood to face the clapping audience. Despite her bursting happiness, she contained her smile.
After all, now that she was part of the Inner Circle, she ought to hold the dignity of what her new title carried.
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First instalment of the series – the second part has already been uploaded. I apologize for the mishap as I rearranged the chronology.