"What?!" the collective cry assaulted Hinata's ears.
"I'm getting married," she repeated, smiling so she would not worry her friends.
The shock of the announcement left the entirety of the Rookie Nine silent, even Ino. Shino was the first to regain his power of speech. "And exactly how, or when rather, did this come about?"
"Our clan has been in contact with the groom's family for about three months," she sipped at her tea causally. "My future husband is the son of a very old, very powerful family friend. He sent a letter asking for my hand in marriage."
"So your father arranged this?" Ino assumed, a bitter tone to her voice.
"Oh, no," Hinata blinked, "this suitor has been after my hand for quite some time, but Father has always rejected him because he is not a shinobi and Father believes that he would not produce a powerful heir for the Hyuuga clan."
"Did the Elders overrule him?" Sakura inquired.
"No, they've always agreed with his decision," she sighed, dreading telling them the truth.
"Then, why-?" Sakura's confusion crossed her face.
"You've been around Naruto too long Sakura," Sasuke interjected, locking eyes with the young heiress and ignoring Naruto's glare, "it's slowing your brain functions. She accepted the proposal on her own."
"But if the clan's Elders are against it?"
"They were against it because my Father had often called me a failure as a shinobi, and they believed the only way I could produce a decent heir is by coupling with a stronger shinobi," she frowned, "but after having seen me in action during the Last Great War, they have grown more confident in my abilities. Although they would prefer me to still take a shinobi husband, I have been granted permission to wed a civilian, provided he has money and stature of course."
"No way," Ino gasped. "But why?"
"Because I must," she stated.
"That makes no sense, Hinata," Kiba argued.
"Kiba's right, Hinata," Shikamaru agreed, pinching the bridge between his nose. "If the marriage is your choice, then you could have just as easily rejected it again."
The Hyuuga heiress smiled knowingly. "This isn't about my being forced into this by anyone, it's about a promise I made."
"A promise?" Ino asked.
"Yes," Hinata smiled in a nostalgic way. "It's a long story."
"I think we have time for it," Chochi said, "gives me a chance to order something else."
"I don't think so," she smirked, rising from her seat. "I still have a ton of packing to do."
"Packing?" Naruto spoke up for the first time that night.
"Yep," she nodded, heading toward the door, "the wedding is in a month and a half, and I want everything to be moved into our house, so everything can be in order by then."
"You're leaving the village?!"
"Bye."
And with that Hinata left her friends absolutely speechless and confused beyond reason.