Wanted: Pseudo- Fiancé
SUMMARY:
AU. The Hyuga clan prides themselves as a clan that gets settled before the 'ripe' age of 21. Never had this tradition been broken. Will Hinata be shunned by the clan for being the one to start a series of 'firsts?'
A/N: Repost. I did some editing and stuff. I did some revisions. I'll try to update this story as soon as I can. By the way, it's better viewed using ¾ or ½ format —me
Chapter 1: Just As I am with my Friends
"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all."—William Goldman, The Princess Bride
xoxo
Hiashi spared a glance towards his elder daughter, Hinata, who was entering his office. He set aside the papers he was signing to formally acknowledge his daughter.
"G-Good a-afternoon, F-Father." Hinata said while respectfully bowing before Hiashi. Hiashi nodded.
"Take a seat, Hinata." Hiashi could see the unsteady gait of his daughter while making her way towards the chair. He could see the obvious tension radiating from his daughter. He could even see the slight tremors coursing through her body especially her hands.
Hinata was nervous.
"What month is it, Hinata?" Hiashi asked casually. Hinata's head shot up to look at her father. She wasn't sure that she heard it right.
"C-Could y-you r-repeat t-that, F-Father?" Hinata asked while stuttering. Hiashi sighed, a little annoyed at his daughter's stuttering.
"I asked you what month it is." He repeated, leaning back towards his chair. Hinata didn't immediately answer. Her father was confusing her. For a moment, she was silent.
"Well? Are you that slow to even figure out what month it is already, Hinata?" Hiashi mocked with a raised brow.
"N-No! I-I-I m-mean, n-no, F-Father. I-It's O-October." Hinata whispered while avoiding her father's gaze.
"Right. It's October. And how old are you?" Hiashi asked again. Hinata was filled with a lot of questions. Surely, her father seemed rather talkative today.
"I-I'm t-twenty, F-Father." Hinata said, almost inaudibly. She started wringing her fingers as though to ease the tension she's feeling. She doesn't like where this conversation is headed for.
"I'm well aware. And you're turning twenty-one this December?" Hiashi asked—more like stated. Hinata simply nodded, not trusting her mouth to speak.
"I trust that you'd be able to introduce to me my future son-in-law just a few weeks before your 21st birthday?" Hinata's eyes widened. Her jaw dropped. Hiashi almost gave off a smirk which was seemingly unlikely due to his stoic and botox-infested face.
Scratch that. Hiashi didn't need botox. It was au naturel.
Hinata was speechless. Events of more than two years ago came crashing down on her. She almost winced when she recalled her father reminding her of the Hyuga tradition on her 18th birthday. Cold sweat was building up on top of her brow.
"Well?" Hiashi looked intensely at his daughter as though searching for something which is clearly not on her face. Hinata nodded.
"Do you not trust your voice when you're talking to me, Hinata?" Hiashi asked, his eyebrows almost knitting into a frown.
"N-No, F-Father. I-Is t-that a-all?" Hinata asked. A million thoughts were running through her mind. She feels like her head is going to explode.
"Yes. That's all. I just wanted you to be reminded. You may leave." Hiashi said, putting an end to a grueling conversation with his daughter. Hinata stood slowly, as though testing whether her legs could still carry her weight.
Hinata gave another respectful bow towards her father then walked towards the door with utmost lethargy. She shakily took out her phone to send a message to her friends—Yamanaka Ino and Tenten.
---
Tenten, heiress to one of the world's largest artillery and weapon-manufacturing business, was in the center of her muddled office, pacing, worrying and thinking of the things she will still need for the meeting the following day—what she could have forgotten, what she still needs, etc.
"I have to stop my self from worrying. It'll only get me no where. I'm sure I have all the documents I need for the meeting." Tenten said to no one in particular. She took a deep breath and took the last of the documents and placed it inside her brief case when her phone beeped.
"There. Done." Tenten whispered to herself then turned to look for her beeping phone. She sighed. She wasn't exactly sure which phone was beeping—the drawback in having several phones. She looked for it in her purse, her briefcase, her coat and finally, in her drawer.
"Hinata?" Tenten said while reading the message. Upon reading, she hurriedly locked her brief case, threw her phones back into her purse and bid her secretary an early farewell to head out to their usual meeting place.
"Have a good day, Ma'am!" Mr. Gennou, one of the senior body guards in their company, said while opening the door for her.
"Thanks. You too, Gennou-san!" She waved back while hurrying to get inside her car and get to the place as fast as she can.
---
Yamanaka Ino was fast asleep in her desk, softly snoring. Underneath piles and piles of different classes and colors of cloths—silk, velvet, pink, blue, etc. is her beeping phone.
"Shoot!" She cursed as she woke up with a start. She haphazardly threw the cloths and design sketches everywhere just to find her phone. After finding it, she sat back in her plushy chair and inhaled deeply.
"I can't believe I fell asleep. It's… 4:15 in the afternoon. And almost no work done." She had been asleep for more than two hours already. She almost released a shriek but opted to close her eyes and take even and deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself. She opened her eyes to check on her phone to see who it was that disturbed her sweet slumber.
"Hinata." Ino read the message. She did some stretching before putting her phone back on her desk. She looked outside. It was getting darker earlier than usual because it was already a "Ber" month.
"Guess I'll continue this tomorrow. I have to go. I'm sure Deidera will understand." Ino said to no one in particular. Deidera is Ino's half brother—they share the same father but different mothers. He was a child from their father's first marriage and she was from the second marriage.
"I wonder what the problem is… I guess there's only one way to find out." With that said, she picked up her phone again and called for her driver to pick her up.
---
Hinata sat alone in the café where they are supposed to meet, staring at her half-full black tea and poking her Blueberry Cheesecake. She sighed for the umpteenth time that day then leaned back to her seat and closed her eyes.
"I do hope they got the message." Hinata whispered to herself. She took the time to observe the surroundings of the café. The people behind the counter, old man Teuchi and his daughter, Ayame, gave her a cheerful wave. She smiled at them and directed her gaze towards the door, waiting for her two friends.
As if on cue, the door opened thus ringing the bell, signaling the arrival of a customer. It was a red-haired woman, wearing glasses, ruffled blouse, miniskirt and five-inch pumps to show off her slender legs. Walking over towards the counter, she ordered for something Hinata could not even decipher due to the distance.
"I guess it was a wrong person." Hinata said to herself. She was on the verge of pounding her head on the table when the bell rang. Her head immediately shot up to see who it is at the door.
"Hinata! Are you okay? What's wrong, sweetheart?" Ino dramatically shouted while hurriedly making her way towards her to give her a hug. Most of the customers' head directed towards their table, giving them curious looks. Hinata wanted to sink further into her cushioned seat.
"I was so worried about you that I asked Naruto to come over after he finishes from work! You know, for moral support or something. He might be of help." Ino finished then flipped her long blonde hair.
---
The red-haired woman at the counter directed her gaze at the pair upon hearing the name "Naruto." She studied the women on the far side of the corner. The tall blonde woman was wearing something quite fashionable while the other one… she wasn't exactly sure. What she's certain of is that the woman seated has definitely no fashion sense. Wearing those hideous glasses and her hair tied up in a messy ponytail—she spells UGLY. She huffed.
"Oi, Old man, is it not done yet?" Karin said to the man behind the counter then glanced at her watch. She started tapping her shoes as a sign of her impatience. The man looked apologetic and left to check for the order.
---
"Sweetheart, I'll just go and make my order, okay?" Ino said while leaning over to give Hinata a hug. Hinata nodded.
"Can I get you anything?" Ino inquired. Hinata shook her head and pointed at the table. Her order sat there—touched but not necessarily eaten. Ino nodded and proceeded towards the counter to make her order.
---
"Is everything here, old man?" The redhead asked the man behind the counter. The old man nodded.
"We apologize for the wait, Ma'am." Teuchi bowed. Karin huffed and turned to leave but not before sprouting crap on the pair behind the counter.
"It's good that Sasuke-kun seems to have more patience in people like you. You have to be really thankful that Lady Mikoto is quite smitten by this sorry excuse for a café." Karin mocked. Ino was tempted to give the woman a piece of her mind but she walked off even before anyone could retort. Teuchi sighed and tried to calm his furious daughter.
"It's okay, Ayame. You need not worry about Uchiha-san." Teuchi tried to reassure Ayame. Ino walked towards the counter.
"Who's that?" Ino asked the pair. The old man just shook his head while Ayame looked like she was blowing off some steam. Ino looked at them for a minute.
"The woman's Karin, Uchiha Sasuke's assistant, I think." Teuchi replied while drying the glasses with his cloth. Ino was surprised.
"Uchiha Sasuke?" Ino asked albeit it sounded stupid. Both nodded. Ino started to ponder and recollect thoughts about the guy.
"Yes, Ino-chan. The one and only Uchiha Sasuke!" Ayame said. Her demeanor had changed from that with killing intent to that of a fan girl. Ino sweat-dropped.
"Well, what does he want? I haven't heard much about him. Even from Naruto." Ino said while pointing at her order from the menu.
"His usual order: Extra strong black coffee and tomato-flavored cookies." The old man replied, this time, wiping the counter with another cloth.
"Oh… So that's—wait! What?" Ino exclaimed, flabbergasted. She grimaced even at the thought eating such…food.
"I know what you're thinking, Ino-chan. But contrary to what you think, it's quite good. It's become one of the best-sellers in our café. You should try it sometime." Ayame told Ino, who vehemently shook her head.
"No, thanks. I'm fine with my order." Ino said hurriedly. She picked up her tray and headed towards their usual table only to see another figure seated in front of Hinata.
---
"Tenten? When did you—?" Ino asked as she was making her way towards their table with her order in tow.
"While you were busy chatting with Miss Ayame and Grandpa Teuchi." Tenten cutoff then gave her a cheeky grin.
"Was I really gone that long?" Ino asked no one in particular as she put down her order. Tenten merely shrugged while Hinata looked outside the window, obviously spacing out. Tenten then walked off towards the counter to place her order.
Ino took her seat beside Hinata and started munching on her order. She could feel the tension on the person seated beside her. She wanted to ask about what the problem is but decided against it. She would wait for Tenten. They'll do this together.
---
When Tenten arrived, the atmosphere was less than friendly and leaning on to the gloomy side. Even Ino was silent—that is something that happens once in a blue moon. She sighed then curved her mouth in an attempt to pull off another cheeky smile.
"So, how was your day, guys? Anything interesting?" Tenten asked as though pumped up to face the unknown.
"Mine is just fine. Well, minus the part wherein I fell into a deep sleep for almost three hours." Ino replied, then spared a glance towards Hinata, expecting an answer. No reply came from her. It's as if she's in a trance, totally unaware of her companions and her surroundings.
"Okay. I said my piece. How about you, Hina-chan? Is there anything you'd like to tell us?" Ino tried to mimic Tenten's cheerfulness as she nudged Hinata just a bit and tried to encourage her to say something. Hinata turned her head to see the expectant faces of her friends and sighed.
"I-It's a long story, guys." Hinata said to them. They both gave her encouraging looks to which she looked away, embarrassed.
"It's okay, Hinata-chan. We've got time." Tenten replied to her. Ino nodded while picking up her latte to sip on it.
"You see, here's what happened…" Hinata brought her knees towards her chest as she started to relay the events from three years ago that led to her predicament now.
---
Ino was in deep thought after hearing Hinata's predicament. Tenten was in between her chewing when she heard the last part of her friend's story so her jaw remained slightly open for a few seconds. Hinata laid her back on the backrest of the plushy chair and closed her eyes.
There was silence. Only the soft sounds from the café could be heard.
"Well, what do you plan on doing then, Hinata?" Tenten asked, choosing her words carefully. Ino looked at her, awaiting her response.
"T-To b-be h-honest, I- I have no i-idea w-what I- I s-should d-do…" Hinata replied, absolute confusion written on her cherubic face. She vigorously shook her head then hugged her knees closer to her chest.
"I think, Hinata, that you have three options in this situation." Ino said in a serious tone that isn't likely to be associated to someone like her. Tenten and Hinata directed their attention to her.
"Wow, Ino. Three options in five minutes. That's quite a feat!" Tenten exclaimed at her. Hinata, for the first time since she set foot on this café, gave off a hopeful look.
"Yes. First option is that you find yourself someone who would really want to marry you in less than three months time. Or second, you tell your father that you don't have anyone then let him choose for you. Or third, find yourself a pseudo- fiancé!" Ino squealed at the so-called ingenious plan.
The other two remained silent.
"Well, the first two options seem unlikely choices, don't you think, Hinata?" Tenten asked her friend. Hinata remained quiet. Ino has sparkly stars on her eyes.
"I know… But who would be willing to be my pseudo-fiancé? I don't even know that many guys!" Hinata replied, almost on the verge of panic. She was always surrounded by Neji, her father, Hanabi or the guards that she wasn't able to make friends like she wanted—especially of the opposite sex. Plus, she's just too damn shy.
"What about Kiba? Shino? Lee?" Tenten suggested.
"Tenten, I love those guys the same way that I love my cousin, Neji. I love them like a brother. I don't see myself doing what couples do with them. And it wouldn't be fair on their part. Aside from them, I don't know anyone anymore." Hinata sighed, defeated.
"Well, leave that to us!" Ino replied, apparently energized upon learning that Hinata's problems are boy-centric and not leaning on the heavier stuff such as the clan affairs, the company, etc.
"Us?" Tenten asked.
"Of course, us, dear, us. I know a lot of guys who could fit your father's standards. Besides, I'm sure that Naruto-kun knows quite a number of guys too." Ino smirked, triumphantly. Hinata looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Tenten shook her head. This could turn out badly.
"Well, does your cousin know about this?" Tenten asked, hoping to steer the subject to a different direction. Hinata shook her head.
"Neji won't be back until December. He needs to address the problems of the compant over at the Sunagakure branch. And I do not wish for him to know about this. At least until after the party. If possible. Please." Hinata begged her friends.
"Of course, Hina-chan! You know we could keep secrets!" Ino replied.
"Uh. Sure, Ino." Tenten sarcastically replied then looked at her as though she had grown another head.
"Wait! Could Naruto know about it too? I mean since I'm sure he's going to help us look for a perfect guy for you, I thought that maybe—" Ino blabbered but was cutoff by Hinata.
"I-It's f-fine, Ino-chan. J-Just the four of us would be fine. O-Or maybe five. B-By the t-time I get h-home, I'm sure Hanabi-chan knows about it." Hinata sighed.
"Okay! Hinata-chan! Don't worry about it too much. We're here. We'll help in any way we can. You know that, right?" Ino said sweetly while tucking a lock of stray hair behind Hinata's ear.
"That's right, Hinata-chan. We're here. Don't ever forget that." Tenten added and placed her hand on top of Hinata's then making circular motions in an attempt to calm her down. Hinata really wanted to cry but settled for a group hug.
"T-Thank y-you, I-Ino-chan, Tenten-chan. Thank you so much." Hinata said in muffled voice. She is truly thankful for her friends.
---
Just then, the bell rang again, signaling the arrival of another customer. Their moment was ruined by Naruto's boisterous voice.
"Gramps! Miss Ayame! The usual, please!" Naruto greeted at the same time, placed his order. He headed towards the table where three women were engaged in a group hug.
"Good evening, ladies! Can't I join the fun?" Naruto asked in a teasing manner. He was hit by a tissue thrown at his face. He pouted.
"Well, hello to you to, Piggy." Naruto greeted Ino. She stood up then balled her fist, ready to strike him by any means necessary. He responded by holding her around the waist and giving her a quick kiss on the temple. She blushed. He grinned. He directed his attention to the remaining people sitting on the couch.
"Did I miss anything? Hinata? Tenten?" Naruto asked in an obnoxiously noisy voice. The pair winced at the loudness of his voice.
"Naruto, keep your voice down!" Ino chided as she landed a playful punch on his shoulder. He instantly hushed his tone upon seeing several sets of eyes being directed at their table then gave Ino a puppy-dog pout, which she ignored.
Hinata smiled at the couple's antiques. Up until five years ago, she was infatuated with the blond-haired-blue-eyed boy. Those feelings, although still there, changed into some sort of bond. The love she once felt for Naruto has been transformed into a deeper sense of friendship. Now she is contented that two of her friends have finally found something in each other that's making them happy. And for that, she is thankful.
Once they got settled, meaning, Tenten had to change seats with Ino in order for the love birds to sit beside each other, Ino and Tenten filled Naruto with the specifics. Hinata didn't want to repeat it all over again, occasionally making comments in case they miss any detail.
---
After the story was retold, Naruto looked over at Hinata as though studying her. Hinata felt uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze. Hinata was about to ask him to cut it out when he spoke.
"I have quite a number of single guy friends, Hinata. But, don't you think it's best if someone you know would be the one to act as your fiancé? I mean, you know—" Naruto queried. Hinata nodded and was about respond but Ino beat her to it.
"She doesn't know that many guys, Naruto." Ino replied to Naruto's unanswered question. And with that, he kept silent for a while.
"We'll figure something out, Hinata. Don't worry. We'll look for guys who are up to your Father's standards." He smiled cheekily as he said this. Hinata smiled, truly thankful for their help. Ino and Tenten nodded. Hinata's phone beeped.
"T-Thank you so much N-Naruto-kun, T-Tenten-chan, I-Ino-chan. I-I really appreciate it. R-Really I do. B-But I have to go now. I-I promised my sister Hanabi that I'll help her prepare for her b-business meeting with s-some client tomorrow." She smiled as she gave Ino and Tenten a kiss on the cheek.
"How come I don't get one?" Naruto pouted, referring to the kiss. Ino, upon hearing this, smacked Naruto's arm. Hinata giggled then ruffled his hair. She bowed then stood up ready to head out of the shop.
---
When they saw her out of the coffee shop, they started talking about how they're going to make the plan.
"I really want to help her. She doesn't deserve any of this, you know?" Ino said in a serious manner. Naruto nodded while running his hands in her hair and putting it on his lips. Tenten felt out of place that somehow she wished Hinata was still here.
"Guys, we only have less than three months to look for guys which could fair up to her Father's standards. We need to stay focused. Please." Tenten pleaded. Both of them were embarrassed at their behavior and so they remained quiet.
---
They stayed for another one hour and a half in the café to discuss their options until they got worn out from thinking.
"This is surely going to be interesting." Naruto said to both Ino and Tenten as they exited the café. Both simply nodded, obviously exhausted as they headed toward their respective rides.
Naruto was worried. He is hoping that setting him up with Hinata wouldn't end up in such a disaster. He glanced at a sleeping Ino on the passenger seat and he felt his worries fade even just a bit.
xoxo
"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival."- C.S. Lewis