The Alliance
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Due the critical point we have reached in the plot, I decided to attempt to update these two chapters as quickly as possible. So be on the look out for Chapter 11 in the near future. After that, we'll go back to the normal one update every 1-2 weeks schedule. Enjoy.
Chapter Notation: No, this isn't the final chapter.
Chapter 10
Hideki wasn't entirely sure how either of them had survived the wedding planning with their sanity in tact. Still, there was no denying the relief blooming in his chest as he stands at the alter.
"You look like you've just run a marathon." Naruto laughs as he smiles at Hideki.
It had taken what seemed like an eternity, but today was the day. For better or for worse, the entire fate of his Clan would forever be linked to this day and he was going to be married to Suki.
A year ago, that last part would have stunned him into silence and to a degree that was still the case. Things were different though. They had endured the trials of wedding planning together. They had trained together. They had kissed.
"I did." Hideki manages to smile. "I survived being in the middle of planning a wedding between the two largest Clans in the Leaf Village. Actually, a marathon would have been easier."
Much easier, but the results were impressive. The Hokage Mountain was now a glorious wedding venue. Hideki could see dozens of tables piled high with every sort of delicacy and common food imaginable. The music playing in the background was beautiful as it alternated between soothing classical tones and primal ones that made Hideki feel as though he was in the middle of an epic battle.
It was not hard to see which Clan had selected which kind of music. There were so many differences between their families, but Hideki didn't doubt now that the wedding was a good idea.
"Yeah. I guess so." Naruto laughs as Lee and Gai come out hurling flowers everywhere. "I still can't believe they wanted to be the flower carriers."
Truly, it was what would come after all this that terrified Hideki. He had no way of knowing how his Clan would react to the news that the Branch System would become a thing of the past soon enough.
There was every possibility that they'd react violently. Which was why it was a good thing the Uchihas and so many other ninjas were in attendance. If they had to fight, they would. Hideki could only pray that it wouldn't come to that.
"I can." Hiashi shakes his head in an exasperated fashion, next to his son. "They have always been rather…unconventional men."
"THE POWER OF YOUTH AND LOVE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!" Lee beams as he hurls flowers everywhere. "RIGHT, GAI SENSEI?!"
Hideki rubs the back of his head sheepishly as he watches the pair make their way ever closer to them. It was a miracle the red carpet that had been laid out was withstanding the pair's enthusiastic hugs and running leaps really.
"RIGHT, YOU ARE LEE! THERE'S NOTHING STRONGER THAN THE POWER OF YOUTH AND LOVE!"
"Unconventional is a very diplomatic way to put it." Fugaku sighs as he crosses his arms. "Though it'd be a hard task to find more dedicated and loyal ninjas in all the Five Great Nations."
Hiashi nods in agreement as he looks at silver alter with all the roses woven into it. Hideki knew what his father was thinking, but he was too tactful to say it.
The Hyuga patriarch knew what those roses symbolized. Friendship and mercifully, his father hadn't protested. Most likely because it was a start. Marriages had been built on less.
"I do try, Lord Hokage." Hiashi nods as a ninja cat comes forward with a jewelry box attached to its collar.
Hideki couldn't help, but smile at the sight. How Uchihas ever got Ninja Cats to do what they asked was a mystery to him, but the cat was adorable with the jewelry box hanging from its collar and so proud of its role.
His amusement didn't last long though because soon enough he hears gasps and the music begins to play louder. That could mean only one thing. Suki had arrived.
Suki smiles as she clutches her bouquet to her chest for dear life. She'd never been shy, but even for her having this many eyes on her person was a bit nerve-wracking.
"It's probably a good thing that I'm the bride." She wasn't sure if she actually spoke that out loud in a quiet whisper or merely thought it strongly, but she knew it was true.
Hideki probably would have fainted, but instead of annoying her the thought strikes her as cute. It would be very Hideki to do such a thing.
He was also at that alter and staring at her. It was enough to make her want to clutch her ivory white kimono tighter to herself. Even without his Byakugan activated, she felt very…exposed.
"My baby is all grown up." Mikoto's lip quivers at the alter as she stands next to Suki's bridesmaids.
That, and now her mother was trying her best not to cry tears of happiness. The match might have been arranged, but some things never changed. Some people would always cry at weddings, especially if they had bushy eyebrows like Lee and Gai.
"Yes, Mother." Suki smiles as she shakes her head and finishes walking down the aisle.
Idly, she muses the red sash and gems on her kimono made her stick out even more than the fact she was the only one wearing white. Hell, even Hideki's elegant male wedding kimono was less…shiny.
"You look beautiful." Hideki smiles at her as she takes her place beside him.
"So do you." She smiles back.
As soon as the words left her mouth, it takes all of Suki's self-control not to wince. Why on Earth had she said that? Hideki was a man. She shouldn't have said that!
"Thank you." He smiles at her.
Of course, this was Hideki. Apparently, her slip up hadn't bothered him.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of my daughter, Suki Uchiha, and the Heir of the Hyuga Clan, Hideki Hyuga, if there is anyone who has any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." Fugaku stares the crowd down with his crimson red eyes.
Suki almost gulps. Her father's Sharingan was even more fearsome looking than the 'average Uchiha's' was. If such a thing as an average Uchiha existed at all and Suki didn't think they really did. Their Clan was exceptional and wonderful, she was internally babbling. This was not a good sign.
"I wouldn't recommend objecting though." Neji smiles from his place at Hideki's side. "The Gentle Fist is not as gentle as its name might imply."
Suki blinks at that and so does Hideki. Neither of them had expected that from the aloof genius.
"Precisely." Fugaku nods as Itachi smirks.
It was as if her older brother had expected such a reaction from Neji. Hmm. Well, perhaps she should have expected it really. Those two had gotten dragged into a great deal of wedding planning. It was only natural that they had forged a bond of friendship.
"Wonderful. So there are no objections." Fugaku smiles as everyone watches him in terror before turning his attention back to Hideki. "Do you Hideki Hyuga take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor, and cherish her and only her for all your days? To stand at her side as the two of you protect our village and the honor of your Clan until death do you part?"
Hideki didn't hesitate as he took Suki's hands in his own. "I do." Though it was almost impossible not to notice the adorable blush that he was now sporting.
The Hokage politely pretends not to notice though as he continues on. "Do you Suki Uchiha take this woman to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him and only him for all your days? To stand at his side as the two of you protect our village and the honor of your Clan until death do you part?"
"I do." Suki nods at her father.
She still couldn't believe it in a way, but she was marrying the quietest boy in her Academy class and that thought didn't bother her. Her concerns were more about how the Hyuga Clan would handle the transition period than her marriage to Hideki.
"Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce thee man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Fugaku smiles.
Hideki didn't waste any time in doing exactly that. Suki smiles as she returns his kiss with equal enthusiasm. All of this was much to the crowd's delight as her new husband grew increasingly bold. Perhaps her mother and grandmother were right. It might really always be the quiet ones.
A few minutes later, Itachi watches the entire scene with more than a little wariness. While the actual wedding part had been most amusing to say the least, he knew what was coming. Most of the Hyuga Clan did not though as they all gathered around whatever table they could find space at and eat.
Suki and Hideki had insisted on eating before continuing with the other festivities. The request likely struck most of the Hyuga Clan as odd, but no one protested. Why would they when there was so much wonderful food.
Everyone was happily eating until there was a quiet clicking sound on a glass. Most people would have overlooked that 'trivial detail' in a sea of noise, but not this many trained ninjas.
His father had always been good at getting everyone's attention, Itachi muses and today was no exception.
"Attention. My Son-In-Law and daughter have an appointment announcement to make." Fugaku smiles at everyone.
So this was it then. The moment of truth.
"Thank you, Father." Hideki stands up as he takes Suki's hand in his own. "We're all very grateful that you've joined us on this day and hope that our union will benefit the village and our Clans as a whole. As of now, my father leads the Hyuga Clan well, but Suki and I have come to an agreement. One that father and Lord Fugaku have agreed is wise."
He was going with the direct approach then, Itachi observes. Well, if nothing else, Itachi highly doubted anyone was going to forget what happened at this wedding for years to come.
"What are you talking about, Lord Hideki?" One of the Hyuga Main House Members stares at him in concern. "What has happened?"
Suki looks at her husband before coming to a decision. "This shall be phased in slowly, but the Hyuga Branch System will be dissolved. We shall monitor the situation closely to ensure Branch Members do not seek revenge for their previous treatment and any Hyuga who attacks another Hyuga unjustifiably will be punished accordingly by a jury that will be comprised of seven members." She bites her lower lip before looking at Hideki again.
Itachi had never heard such a silence in all his life before. Even the sound of breathing felt unbearably loud as the young Hyuga continues on where his wife had left off.
"Yes. The Council will be comprised of the Uchiha Clan Head, the Hyuga Clan head, one former branch member, one former Main House Member, two ninjas who will be selected at random, and one civilian. This will ensure that any outcome is decided fairly with no bias." He smiles at everyone around them, but Itachi could sense that Hideki was far more nervous than he was letting on.
Itach smiles at that. It was so well thought out, but he also knew what was going to happen. Any second now, they would all snap out of it.
"Throw the bouquet and belt!" He hopes that Hideki and Suki would hear him and listening, but Itachi knew there was a decent change his pleas would go unanswered.
Fortunately, that wasn't the case. Hideki leans over and pulls the garter belt off of his wife. He also not so subtly smacks Itachi in the face with it as it goes sailing across the table.
"You did that on purpose!" Itachi scowls.
Suki laughs as she throws her bouquet into the ground. "Yes, he did. My husband indulges me occasionally." Mercifully, the distraction worked though.
The women immediately try to catch it and well, Suki and Hideki quickly dart off. Itachi watches in amazement. His sister and her husband were quite fast even by ninja standards and that was also the fastest Summoning Jutsu that he had ever seen.
"Garuda, take us to our Honeymoon destination!" Itachi hears Suki command as she and Hideki mount the giant hawk and take off.
"Well, one has to admit, they certainly know how to make an exit." Neji sighs and shakes his head.
"Yes, they do." Itachi groans. "And now it will be up to use to ensure the Hyuga Clan doesn't descend into chaos while they enjoy their Honeymoon."
There were times when it was a blessing to be the eldest child and then there were times like these were it was just irritating. Once again, it was up to Itachi to clean up his wonderfully, foolish little sister's messes.
"They had better at least send us a postcard." Neji rolls his eyes.
"Indeed and make liberal use of the Gift Shops." Itachi nods in agreement.
Very liberal. This sort of chaos would an eternity and a day to sort out, but they would manage somehow. It was for the good of the village and for the sake of the alliance.