Meeting

The sun was already setting, with purple, pink, and orange bleeding across the sky. It would take at least 4 hours to reach the Hyuuga kingdom.

Naruto couldn't wait until the moment he stood face to face with her. She was so beautiful, he was afraid he might just freeze up and be at lost for words. Not only that, but he couldn't wait to truly know her personality and character as well. He peered out of his carrier that was being pulled by four white horses and could see the crescent moon rising up in the east sky.

"Eager to meet your bride, Your Majesty?" Kakashi commented. He was sitting right across from Naruto.

"Yes, I am. Can you believe that she'll be coming home with me tonight? Honestly, I was ok with being single for my entire life. As long as I am Emperor and as long as I can keep peace and unity during my reign, I can die happy. But now, after seeing her...I realize why it's important for every leader of a nation to have a companion alongside him." Naruto leaned back and crossed his arms. "Speaking of which, Kakashi, during all these years that I've known you, I've never once seen you take interest in a woman before." His eyebrows suddenly arched up. "Are you...you know...more interested in-,"

"The answer to what you are about to say, is no. My life's mission was to train and raise you. And now, it is to protect you. I have no other desires."

Though he had no parents, Naruto never longed for a fatherly figure. Kakashi filled all those empty parts of his life - a father, a mentor, and a friend. There was probably no one else in the world who he trusted more.

"You're the best, Kakashi." Naruto simply grinned at him.

"I know."

Tracing the intricate design of the lace that was embroidered onto her ivory dress, Hinata stared at herself in the mirror as servants finished getting her ready for the night.

It was unbelievable that she really was going to leave this place tonight. She would wake up the next morning, to a place where she would call her new home. She would have a husband. She would be a wife.

Hinata took a silent vow and promised to herself that she would not fall in love with the Emperor.

She figured that it would only take her focus away from her real goal. She saw how women were when they were in love...it clouded their thoughts and changed their behaviors. She didn't deny that love was a good and beautiful thing, and it was something she hungrily yearned for...but right now...she just didn't have the time for it.

There was no doubt that the best soldiers and combat leaders were in the Uzumaki palace. She would have options to choose from if she wanted to train to her fullest abilities.

"Princess, the hour has come. Your father has requested your presence in the throne room." One of the servants announced.

The gut-churning flutter in her stomach that happened every time she was nervous was starting up again. She looked outside to see the crescent moon now high up in the midnight-blue sky and figured that the Emperor would be arriving very shortly.

She took one last glance at herself and let out a deep sigh before exiting her bedroom.

She hoped that the Emperor would at least be decent looking. She knew he wasn't old based on the rumors that he was the youngest Emperor in history. The stories about him were truly inspiring and heroic.

As she neared the throne room, she realized the doors were opened and she could see her parents sitting, already eyeing her. Hanabi sat on one side next to Hiashi and she guessed the empty chair next to her mother would be her seat for tonight.

"I assume the princess's belongings are all prepared?" Hiashi asked the servants who followed behind Hinata.

"Yes, King Hiashi. We've prepared Princess Hinata's belongings according to your order. It will be loaded onto the Emperor's carriage at the end of the night."

Hiashi nodded in approval and the servants quickly scattered to their places on the sides.

"Come take your seat, daughter. I've received word that the Emperor is at the foot of the castle door."

Hinata walked up to her seat and sat down next to her mother. She noticed that her father had taken extra measures today to make the place look extravagant. The usual dim candles that hung down from the ceiling were replaced with diamond chandeliers and she also realized that the floor was polished and waxed to the point where she could literally see her reflection on the ground.

She almost held her breath when there was a sudden sound of trumpets and saw that the palace guards immediately flooded the hallway in two, perfectly parallel lines to welcome their guest.

Her fingers clenched tightly and she swore that her palms were sweating right now. She was eager to see the man who she would be calling her husband from now on.

An unfamiliar man came scurrying into the throne room and raising his voice so that it echoed throughout the place, he announced the arrival.

"The Uzumaki Emperor has descended upon the palace! Please stand to greet His Majesty!"

Hiashi stood up first. They all swiftly followed after his actions and faced the wooden doors, peering out the long hallway that was now lined with the palace guards.

Hinata kept her eager gaze ahead as a well-built man with uniquely white hair dressed in a black and orange outfit entered through the hallway. Trailing after him were 6 men that formed a circle around a certain individual in the middle so that he would be shielded and properly protected. A glimpse of that individual's blonde hair caught Hinata's attention.

As soon as the man with white hair reached a few feet in front of Hiashi's throne, Hiashi bowed his head in greeting.

"We are honored to have the Emperor here in the Hyuuga kingdom. We hope your travels were safe and pleasant."

The man in white bowed in return. "Thank you for the hospitality. I am the Emperor's private bodyguard, Kakashi. Please extend your greetings to His Majesty." Kakashi stepped to the side and signaled for the 6 men to move aside as well.

They stepped away to reveal, much to Hinata's surprise, a man who looked just about her age. He had striking blonde hair and the most beautiful cerulean blue eyes she's ever seen. Like Kakashi, his attire was black and orange, but was evidently more elegant and he even wore a long black cape that draped down his back to the floor.

Hinata stood in a faze when he suddenly flashed a smile at them and bowed his head slightly in respect.

"King Hiashi, pleased to meet you."

"Likewise, Emperor. The Hyuuga royal family welcomes you to our palace."

"A beautiful palace it is. Out of the 8 kingdoms that I've visited, only the Uchiha palace comes to par with it."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. And as for the marriage...what are the specifics of the ceremony?"

"As stated in the royal decree, I will gift the resources to this kingdom within the next 30 days. If there's any delay or trouble with the transportation of the items, I will be notified immediately to solve it and let you know as well. The ceremony will be in two days. I'm sure the message has already been relayed to you, but the royals of all 8 kingdoms and their families will attending. I will not be inviting the whole empire since it'll be troublesome to keep control of that many people in the Uzumaki palace. Do not worry about the details...decoration and food will be entirely taken care of. You just need to show up. As for the marriage itself..." Naruto's eyes trailed over to Hinata.

Hinata tried desperately to keep her gaze steady, but ended up averting them down to the floor. She was hopeful that the Emperor would be decent, but now that he stood in front of her, she was pretty damn sure she underestimated his qualities. She couldn't believe that she was being betrothed to such a handsome man, who literally held the empire in the palm of his hand, and yet, still seemed like an absolute gentleman. She suddenly felt like she wasn't worthy enough to be standing beside him as Empress.

"...I promise to take care of your daughter and assure that she is protected at all costs. She'll be the empire's treasure and my life's devotion. "

No one has ever spoken about her like that. For the first time in her life, she felt like she mattered.

"We thank you for your compliments, Your Majesty. If my daughter is unfit in any way in the future, you are welcome to discipline her as you now have all authority over her as her husband."

Naruto simply just shook his head and couldn't stop staring at Hinata, who refused to meet eyes with him. She was even more beautiful up close. "I have no doubts about her. Though this is our first meeting, she seems humble and kind...the very qualities that I desire in a wife. She will be a fine Empress, as I will train and guide her to become a leader. Rest assured, King Hiashi."

Naruto then beckoned for Kakashi to give him something. Kakashi pulled out a scroll from the inside of his sleeves and handed it to him. Naruto swiftly unrolled it with one pull of the red sash and then presented it to Hiashi.

"As her father, you will sign first. This is the legal marriage certificate of the empire. It will be recorded and kept safe in the Uzumaki records temple and no one will have access to it, with the exception of you and I, as well as the princess."

Hiashi nodded and quickly scanned over the writings before snapping his fingers. A gold signature glowed at the bottom of the scroll and then permanently inked itself onto the paper.

Naruto then turned to Hinata, who hesitatingly did the same.

Naruto then rolled it back up and Kakashi retrieved it, sliding it up again into his long robed-sleeve.

"It is set, then. We are legally betrothed to each other. All that's left is the public ceremony and announcement."

Hinata's cheeks flushed when Naruto reached his palm out to her. "...my bride. Let's go home."

As if it had a mind of its own, her hand placed itself into his. He held it tightly and pulled her closer to him, flashing yet another charming smile, but this time only for her. She finally had the courage to make eye contact with him and felt like she drowned in them the moment she did.

Naruto Uzumaki was her husband, now. Once that fact clicked in her mind, her stomach fluttered and her heart slammed against her chest.

He gently pulled her along with him as they made their way out of throne room, with Kakashi and everyone following after. Hinata could see the carriage and four horses awaiting at the bottom of the stairs of the castle entrance. The servants just finished loading up her belongings and then one of them quickly ran over to open the carriage door for them.

Naruto turned back around to face Hiashi and Hyuuga royal family as Kakashi and the rest of his men scurried along on their horses and onto the sides of the carriage. "We will take our leave and we will meet again in two days. I will send over four of my men for your protection on the way to the Uzumaki palace." He held out one hand. "Now that we are family, I hope you don't mind me calling you father."

Hiashi just bowed his head in respect and then shook hands with Naruto. "It is an absolute honor to have the Emperor as my son-in-law." He then turned his attention to Hinata.

"Hinata..."

Hinata waited eagerly for his words. Maybe he will finally say something encouraging or kind to her now that she is officially departing from the Hyuuga kingdom.

"...we will see you in two days."

Ah, of course. What was she expecting? Hiashi was never the one for sentimental words...and frankly, they didn't have that good of a relationship for him to suddenly start caring.

Naruto once again pulled her with him and urged her to go in first. Turning her back to her family, she took a deep breath and stepped into the carriage, with Naruto following closely after.

Though she never knew love from her family and all they did was hurt and reject her (with the exception of Hanabi)...her heart still felt heavy as the door closed shut. Was this how it felt to miss something? It was pathetic though, that she would miss the very people who didn't even want her.

As if it was magic, her thoughts dispersed into thin air and the heaviness in her chest disappeared when a strong hand held hers and intimately entangled their fingers together. She didn't even notice that Naruto sat right next to her when he entered.

"Are you alright?"

That was such a simple question, but it was a question that no one has ever asked her before...because no one ever cared. She felt like crying but she took a deep breath and held it in. How embarrassing it would be to cry in front of her husband, who she just barely met.

"I will manage. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wow, music to his ears. He finally heard her voice. She was so soft-spoken that it was almost adorable. "No need for formalities anymore. You can just call me Naruto...we are married, now."

Hinata blushed. "No, no...you are the Emperor, it wouldn't be proper-,"

"And you are the Empress, which makes you my equal." He didn't even give her room to argue.

Hinata was sure she would die of embarrassment right now. How could she possibly be on first-name basis with the Emperor? Even her mother called Hiashi "Your Majesty." She couldn't imagine her parents being on a first-name basis, even after being married for so long.

"Even if I am Empress now, it would not be decent for me to simply call you by name. I apologize, Your Majesty."

Naruto sighed, but he didn't argue. He wouldn't push her to do something that she didn't want to do. Maybe when she was more comfortable with him, he would try again.

"Then, may I call you Hinata? 'Empress' just sounds too formal for me."

Hinata couldn't believe that this man was the Emperor. He was such a gentleman beyond words. She couldn't imagine him fighting against anyone...he seemed way too kind to hurt a soul. "You can call me whatever you see fit."

Naruto smiled happily at her and squeezed her hand a little tighter. "Then, Hinata it is. I just want to apologize for this sudden marriage between us...I first saw you a few months ago when passing through the Hyuuga kingdom. You truly are as beautiful as they say."

Ah, the usual 'most beautiful princess in the kingdom' compliment that everyone gave her. So he married her because of her looks. How shallow. Well...that makes it easier for her to not fall in love with him, then.

"..but, that's not the only reason why I chose you." Naruto continued, catching her by surprise. "I want to get to know you, too. What you like, dislike, your childhood, and everything up till now. If we are to spend our life together, I don't want to be strangers forever. Your beauty is just a bonus."

Oh no. So...he was a man who actually saw beyond her looks, then.

This would be harder than she thought.

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