A Butterfly Bride
Disclaimer: Naruto, and all other characters used in this story from the Naruto or Naruto Shippuden anime/manga series are the property of Masashi Kishimoto, Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo and Viz, LLC. I am only borrowing them for free entertainment purposes. I only own my laptop and an over active imagination.
*Please take note this is a Mature story and has sexual content, it is for adult readers. However those of you who don't like lemons may read it at a teen level, just omit chapter 5.
Chapter 1 Blending of Clans
Hiashi had called her to his office, Hanabi was nervous, the council had been demanding she be sealed louder everyday, could this be it? She knocked at the heavy wooden door, "Enter..." Hanabi slid the silent door open and entered the elegant office, her father was seated behind an antique desk and looked up only to say, "Ah... good, be seated."
Hanabi concentrated on calming her heart rate, she knew he would notice her nervousness. It couldn't be the sealing, they were alone, the sealing jutsu required two Hyuga. Hiashi looked up and sighed, "Hanabi, you've been asked here today to settle the question of your future. As you know your sister will have been married for a year next week, what you may not know is today she found she is expecting her first child." Hanabi's eyes widened, Hinata was pregnant! How did Kankuro feel, was he excited? Theirs had been a political marriage but the two seemed to care for each other deeply.
Hanabi sat quietly waiting for her father to finish before asking any questions though. "Kankuro is pleased and Tsunade believes everything is going well. However the Council now believes you are no longer needed as an heir for her and they're clamoring for you to be sealed. So I'm here this evening to give you a choice." Hanabi clutched her robe tightly so as not to fidget, he was giving her a choice.
"In our older files only women who made political marriages were allowed to marry without having the cage seal, in the agreement the family she marries into must agree to a different seal, one that would only seal her ability to pass on her Byakagun. I have a family that has approached me interested in an arranged marriage. They have no problem with the terms. However they want you to be in complete agreement." Hiashi sighed again causing Hanabi to look up at him in confusion, her father never seemed to be bothered but tonight he seemed resigned to the fact this wasn't a decision he could make for her.
Hanabi was surprised to see her father rise and walk over to her, her put a hand on her shoulder. "Hanabi, this will be your only way to avoid the caged seal. Hinata and I are working to abolish it but to be honest we need a majority of the council to agree. And it will probably be a few years and a few council members leaving, either through death or retirement, before we can get that. Hinata has even said she will not give birth to another child until we do. She feared twins but was assured this pregnancy is only one child."
Hanabi took a deep breath and then asked her first question, "Who is it that is proposing this marriage?" Hiashi walked back and sat down, taking a sip of his tea he looked at her and then answered. "The Akimichis. They seek a bride for their heir... Chouji." Hanabi was shocked, the big red haired shinobi from Hinata's class year. She had never really spoke to him, why would they ask for her? Without conscious thought she blurted, "Why?"
Hiashi frowned but answered none the less. "They have had problems with their heir, he wants a bride who will accept him honestly, not just due to his position. He is not a push over, but he also isn't the most secure person, he hates to be judged by his size and apparently they've had some... unsuccessful omiais. Chouji has refused to attend any more. You have to be completely willing to agree to this, otherwise they will not continue to seek this marriage."
Hanabi knew her life hung in the balance, not physically but how it would be, she could get married or be a servant for the rest of her life. She'd rather be an aunt then a guard. But she didn't even know him. "Father may we meet before I decide?" Her father grunted, but gave a short nod.
"I will arrange it, I would wish for you to remain in the Hyuga family, however I understand." With that he took another sip of his tea and then looking at her with an uncommon melancholy expression he quietly said. "Choose wisely Hanabi, this will be your life. And as much as I would keep you here, you may be happier if you spread your wings and fly."
Hanabi gave him a small smile and nodded, their lives had always been compared to birds, but could she be happier as a butterfly?