Get ready for some lovely angst-filled drama! I can't wait!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!
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Beneath Every Cloud is a Shadow
Chapter 6: A Daring Plan
"YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?" the Hokage screeched in disbelief.
Shikamaru felt sweat running down his temple; the situation was terrifying enough without her getting so angry. "I'd like to…ask Neji to marry me?" he repeated meekly.
Tsunade gave up and pulled multiple bottles of Sake from her desk to get shit faced. This was so not what she had thought the Nara's had come up with. "Explain yourself!" she demanded, downing the first bottle.
"If I marry Neji, then he comes to live with me at the Nara compound, and wouldn't be under their control anymore."
The Hokage hissed as another bottle was emptied, burning her throat. "But you are part of your main family, the only child of Shikaku as a matter of fact. Marrying Neji means you won't have the opportunity to have any new heirs."
A small, sad smile crept across his face; he didn't care if he ever had children if it meant that he could spend the rest of his life with the Hyuga, but that wasn't important, and Tsunade didn't need to know that. "It doesn't have to be permanent. If Hinata can become the head of the Hyuga Clan, then she can change the rules and Neji and I can divorce."
Tsunade did her best to think critically about the situation, but the alcohol was starting to affect her mind. "But, the Hyuga girl has already been displaced, right? By Hanabi, if I'm correct."
"You are Ma'am, but Hinata knows the truth now, and I believe if we help her she will rise to the challenge and prove herself. She is a gentle girl, but I've heard rumors of her abilities if she is protecting someone close to her. In those moments, she has as much courage as Naruto."
The Sannin hiccupped loudly, she wasn't sure if it was the Sake or Shikamaru that was making this seem like a great plan, but she'd go for it right now. "How do you plan on convincing them to let you marry one of their members? Especially being that you both are what, thirteen/fourteen years old?"
Shikamaru was actually surprised that the woman wasn't slurring her words with the amount she'd already consumed, but she was the Hokage after all. "I uh, I was hoping you could help me with that."
Tsunade smiled evilly, she loved meddling with people's affairs, especially with those who deserved it. In her inebriated mind, she wondered why the brunette would go so far for Neji. Perhaps it was because he was a trusted comrade and friend, but she had a delicious feeling it was more than that.
***Time-Skip: 2 Weeks***
The Hokage's body ached to reach into her drawer to grab more Sake, but she wouldn't dare. Unlike other meetings where she could afford to be a little buzzed, this was an extremely delicate matter that would require all her wits.
Shikaku and Shikamaru sat together on the left of her desk while Hiashi and his father sat on the right. She'd met with the Naras' and Hinata many times over the last two weeks to plan and even uncover anything they could use for blackmail. Now, the time had come to let Shikamaru offer his hand in marriage to the still unaware Neji.
After careful consideration, they decided that it would be best not to have the Hyuga genius present when the discussion went down; he was sure to vehemently oppose such an idea.
"What is the meaning of such a meeting" Hiashi questioned, his eyes glaring across the table.
Shikaku answered. As the leader of his clan, it was his duty to do most of the talking. "I'd like to propose a marriage between my son, Shikamaru, and your clans Neji Hyuga."
The youngest brunette almost smirked at the sputtering faces of the two elders, but he held it in check, determined to come off as respectful. He idly listened to the strew of insulting remarks the men made towards his clan, and why such a union would not be accepted.
Tsunade silenced the room, her patience starting to wear thin. "Neji is one of the side-branch family members. He's not needed to provide any heirs and was never taught the secrets of the clan as main branch members are. There is no risk in having him marry outside of the Hyuga. I'd even think you'd be happy; it was obvious at the Chunin exams that you were not pleased to have him outshine your main house. He'd have no way to pass on his extraordinary genes if he married Shikamaru."
Hiashi almost growled at the jab she threw in at the end, but he had no intention of losing his toy so easily. "And I suppose the Nara Clan has 'promised' they won't try to steal the secrets of the Byakugan?"
The Hokage pulled out multiple crisp documents, detailing the rules of the marriage. After skimming through, she found the clause she was looking for and pointed, "under pain of treason, no insight is to be gained by the Nara Clan of the inner workings of the Byakugan or Hyuga family secrets unless given express permission to do so by the head of the Hyuga Clan."
The two Nara members kept their anxiety to themselves, hoping that the Hyuga didn't ask who had written the documents. Shikaku and Shikamaru had drafted it themselves, putting as many loopholes as possible so that Neji wouldn't be married to the younger brunette forever if he didn't want to.
As much as the young shadow user cared for the Hyuga, he didn't believe the feelings were returned. This was only temporary- simply a means to help until more permanent measures could be taken.
The meeting dragged on for hours. Tsunade had to call Shizune in multiple times to cancel other appointments that she had that day. But in the end, it was worth it; Hiashi's father, though no longer the leader of the Hyuga, still held a considerable pull over his son and decided that they would allow the marriage to take place.
He had come to understand that the entirety of the Nara genius had come together to think of every possible reason they could have against the arrangement, leaving them with either saying yes, or blatantly saying no just because they didn't want to.
The old man would rather have Neji gone and Hiashi under control than risk people finding out they had been outsmarted by a clan they considered to be inferior to their own.
Tsunade neatly stacked the paperwork and gave a triumphant smile. "Good! Now all that's left is to tell Neji and set a date!"
Shikamaru sighed and stared up at the clouds. Apparently, the elders had returned and told Neji they'd married him off right after the meeting and the boy had practically snapped in rage, challenging anyone to fight.
He could feel the intense anger from all the way across the field, heading straight for him and knew he was in for the beating of his life. He stood and waited for the shouting to begin.
"YOU!" Neji screamed, sending a chakra filled jab straight into his stomach.
The Hyuga picked the stunned teen off the ground and dragged him close to his face. "How dare you interfere in my life in such a cowardly way! I will not marry you!"
Shikamaru tried to catch his breath, "I… you… don't have a… choice." He hated saying that to the boy, knowing how little freedom he already had in his life. But he had to believe that this would eventually give him the happiness he deserved.
"Arrgh! You insolent little!"
Another harsh punch came flying into his face, sending the Nara sprawling onto his back in the dirt.
The younger spit the metallic liquid from his mouth and glared up at his soon to be husband. "Calm down Neji; it's not like you and I have to actually do anything couple-like. I'm aware that you aren't gay."
Neji felt his face flush, that wasn't the reason he was furious at all. He detested being so weak that Shikamaru was willing to give up his right to be the leader of his Clan to save him. "My sexuality has nothing to do with this Nara!" he spat, "I am not some helpless child and I have no wish to go from one cage to another!"
The shadow-user felt his chest tighten, "is that really what he thinks I'm going to do? Keep him like some pet?"
The Hyuga saw the hurt look on the youngers face and felt a tiny amount of remorse in the back of his mind, but he was too upset to care. He crossed his arms and scowled, his white eyes showing just how displeased he was.
"Yeah, well, whatever Hyuga" Shikamaru grumbled as he got to his feet. "Like it or not, in a month you're going to be moving in with me so maybe you could start working on your attitude."
He rubbed his cheek as he rummaged around in his pocket "here" he said, throwing the item at his comrade. The Hyuga caught it but didn't look at what it was, he kept glowering at the teen until he'd left.
But once the Nara was completely out of sight, his curiosity got the best of him. "I bet it's just more medicine," he thought as he undid the small package.
To his shock and embarrassment, it was a box containing two beautiful rings. However, upon closer inspection, they weren't just any engagement rings, but the ones his parents had exchanged years ago.
"He asked me to get them for you; I stole them from my father's private items" came a shy voice.
Neji looked up to see someone hiding behind one of the tall columns used for target practice. "Lady Hinata?" he asked.
The girl nodded and slowly walked out, not entirely confident Neji wouldn't attack her as well. "He cares about y-you Nii-san. Please don't be t-too angry with him."
The elder looked back down at the small diamond-studded band, and plain silver one in his palm. "He really asked you to steal these for me?"
Hinata flushed slightly and twiddled her fingers, but said yes. She was just as shocked as Neji when Shikamaru had come asking about getting a ring the boy would like.
That small guilt he felt earlier had easily grown into an elephant in his chest. He knew he'd need to apologize to the Nara, but his pride was barely hanging on and he didn't think he could. Maybe he would just 'work on his attitude' like Shikamaru had asked and call it even.
***Time-Skip: Wedding Night***
Nearly a month had passed since Neji had found out about his betrothal, and Hiashi had come to his room every night to force him into all manner of horrifying positions and activities. Despite his still lingering wish to not be such a burden to Shikamaru, part of him was growing more grateful for the intervention.
He sat with Hinata in a small waiting area outside of the ceremony room, thinking about how he'd have to kiss the boy in less than an hour. He violently shook his head to get the thought from his mind. Shikamaru was marrying him to get him away from his family, not because he had any romantic feelings for him.
Neji groaned, realizing that all their friends other than Naruto would be there for their 'big day' having no idea the true purpose behind the wedding. He felt his face heat up in embarrassment, now that the moment finally arrived, he was sure he was too nervous to go through with it.
Hinata giggled at her usually stoic cousin's awkwardness but did her best to comfort him. "It will be fine brother, it's just a little kiss."
The elder rolled his eyes. All at once the girl had stopped her stuttering and that threw him off more than just about anything else. He was sure she was in league with the Nara Clan, but couldn't bring himself to ask. If she wasn't, he'd have to admit what her father had done to him.
"If I have to sit through one more lecture about being 'too young for marriage' or hear another person our age tell me 'how sorry they are our clans arrange unions without asking us' I'm going to become very angry" he muttered, resting his chin in his hand.
Hinata giggled again, "you look very handsome Nii-san."
Shikamaru walked Neji back to the compound before the reception was fully over, knowing the teen had reached his limit of well-wishers and suggestive comments from their more lewd comrades. He'd only given the older a peck on the cheek, but it had thoroughly set off a whirlwind of hoots.
"This way" he pointed, altering their direction slightly.
"Are we not staying at your home?" Neji asked. His voice was calm but he was starting to worry they might actually consummate their marriage tonight if there weren't being watched by adults.
Shikamaru chuckled and stuck his hands in his pockets, "My family spreads out our homes more than yours, and each time a male child is born another house is built for when they get married. So, we are going to 'our' home tonight."
He smirked openly when he saw Neji blush and turn away. "Relax Hyuga, I'm not looking to have you hit me with another one of your air palms tonight. I promise I won't touch you."
The elder felt his stomach do flips from the way the shadow user had phrased his comment. It almost sounded like Shikamaru was attracted to him and would just hold off on his desires out of fear of being attacked.
Neji decided to remain silent until they were inside the large house. The architecture was just like the place he had stayed in before, only slightly newer.
"Are you hungry? You didn't eat at the ceremony at all."
The Hyuga nodded, following his husband into the kitchen and watching him open the refrigerator. "Hinata made us some rice balls if that's good with you" Shikamaru drawled.
"Where am I going to sleep?" Neji asked as he picked at the food.
The younger blushed heavily and cleared his throat. "Uh, well… this place only has one bedroom right now since we don't have kids and we don't have a couch so…you'll have to share a bed with me for a while."
Neji's face looked like a flashing light, going from pale to red and back over and over.
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