A/N: So I read the reviews as usual and must say thank you so much for taking the time to write them. Also there was some questions as to why the dark clans are referred to as such so here goes my best explanation: During wars actions are taken that make certain people heroes but when peace comes the same actions that made them heroes make them dangerous. If you go back and watch one of the first episodes with Haku you'll see that some bloodlines aren't so bad but there are some bloodlines like those of the dark clans that allow for a concentrated group of people to become a very real threat to the notion of peace. But alas moving on to the wonders of in-laws that is ch. 10.
Chapter 10
"I've come to take Hyuga Hinata into custody, this marriage is not recognized by the Hyuga clan."
Apparently mixing Hyugas with superiority complexes and an Uchiha with an anger management problem wasn't the best of ideas, but that was simply Shikamaru's opinion not that anyone had asked the lazy genius. Sadly Lord Hiashi hadn't let the matter lie and was about to cause his own death via an Uchiha induced lightening strike, because really did the Hyugas really think that Sasuke would let anyone take Hinata from him while there was still life in his body.
"Touch her and die."
"Actually Uchiha, I suggest you release her, as she still belongs to the Hyuga clan, and I will ask for the highest sentence for kidnapping."
"Kidnapping?!"
"Is he kidding me? They're married."
The varied reactions of the rookie nine to old man Hyuga's "suggestion" rang clear through the nearly empty bar, although it looked like nothing had reached the ears of the seething raven haired man. Taking in Hinata's wide eyes and hitched breath, Shikamaru thought it was safe to assume the ex-heiress was about to have an intense reaction, what direction that reaction went was still anyone's guess.
"Move aside Uchiha before I have her taken by force."
'Troublesome, like that was going to make everything better.'
The crackling energy rolled off of Sasuke in waves, the once onyx eyes having bled crimson, the black flames of death so feared by ninjas throughout the known world, rising from the barely tethered rage building within him.
"This is your last warning."
"You have my answer."
"Take her."
Hinata watched in horror as the two Hyuga enforcers took steps toward her only to crumble to the ground in screams of anguish while clutching their heads. She lifted her eyes only to find her father's ire rising and the tension in Sasuke's body increasing. Looking to her comrades she realized that none would step forward to intervene between two clan heads, not because they lacked the desire but because politics and the laws of honor bound their hands.
"One way or another I'll get her back, this marriage isn't binding. I'll drag her back by her hair and see if I can at least get something of value for that simpering, weak bitc-"
Hinata used to the insults although they never stopped cutting like kunai, hitting every target her father aimed for, didn't do much but gasp feeling miserable. But before her father could continue his insulting rant, with a speed known only to foes who had quickly perished, Sasuke moved. Hearing her father's voice suddenly and violently stop she turned to find a scene that described the team seven dynamics perfectly.
Sasuke's hand was wrapped about her father's neck steadily choking him, his spinning sharingan and volitile anger causing the enforcers on the floor to renew their cries but the amazing part was the sudden apearance of team seven. Putting aside the joking and not so joking insults when a member needed them, the team pulled together. So she took in the scene: Sakura's chakra infused hands wrapped about Sasuke's other hand to ground him, Naruto standing in front in his face pushing him back, and perhaps the most necessary position belonged to the always bored Kakashi-sensei. He stood at Sasuke's back with only a hand placed upon his shoulder, his marked shoulder, not stopping him physically but with unspoken words.
"Ne, ne teme... TEME. Sasuke focus, you cannot, I repeat cannot kill a clan head they will demand your execution. Sasuke you need to stop! Oh for kami's sake...you're going to make Hinata-chan cry if you kill him."
Hinata couldn't stop the small smile blooming on her face as she felt him pause if only to consider her opinion, even in the middle of his consuming rage Sasuke stopped for her. He closed his eyes seeming to vie for control over his immense powers that filled the bar's air with suffocating intensity. Slowly the fallen enforcers ceased rolling on the floor their cries tapering off into whimpers. As he regained control of himself, he tightened his hold on her father's windpipe, ensuring he had all of her father's attention before repeating his earlier words.
"Touch her and die. You once feared what my clan would do should they know you mistreated a future Uchiha bride. You should fear what I will do for my bride more than you ever feared my clan's retribution."
Finished with the open ended threat Sasuke released her father, allowing breath to once more flow through his sputtering form. With a shrug and a nod from Sasuke his teammates slowly released their hold on him, his sensei the last to remove his hand, although none of them went far opting to stay close. Knowing the festival was beyond ruined for them now Hinata sighed and stepped forward, passed Kakashi-sensei, until she could rest her forehead against her husbands back. Feel his body's rhythmic breathing, the warmth he radiated, taking comfort and protection from him without words. Of course Hinata always took and took from Sasuke, all he had to offer but did she ever give anything in return. Before her mind could begin its own worst session of criticism a pale arm snaked around her waist and pulled her flush to his back, not that she minded, at the moment she was in serious need of reassurance, and Sasuke always knew what to do.
Naruto rolled his inward eyes -seeing as he was a grown up and mature Hokage- at the challenging stare Sasuke was giving old man Hyuga, as Sasuke and Hinata-chan shared a mutually weird moment. Putting their mutual weirdness aside for later, Naruto wondered exactly how things had gone so unbelievably wrong from the moment he left the joy filled bar to finding it near empty and the teme on the verge of committing murder. Gathering his composure Naruto turned his attention to the newly restored trio of Hyugas who looked a little worse for wear.
"Can someone please explain to me why I'm breaking up a bar fight between two clan heads on the last night of Obon instead of doing my Hokagely duties and leading the village in the lantern dousing ceremony?"
"I want the entire weight of the law applied to the Uchiha for kidnapping."
"KIDNAPPING?"
"Yes, for taking that...my daughter."
Crossing his eyes and about to go off in an allergic reaction to stupidity - inwardly of course- Naruto took a deep breath and tried to explain this to old man Hyuga like an Academy teacher.
"Hyuga-sama if I may, your daughter is mar-ried, she hasn't been kidnapped she is living with her hus-band, the one you chose by the way."
"This marriage cannot be binding."
"Look Hyuyga-"
"No I want this marriage dissolved immediately."
"The only reasons to dissolve this marriage as if it never happened would be if the documents were incomplete, the signers did not have a full understanding of the contract or...well, heh, uh..."
"Just spit it out, Uzumaki."
Knowing this was about to get nine levels of awkward fast, Naruto tried to convey his apologies to his still irate friend and soon to be very pissed off teammate.
"Well how do I put this...uhm..."
"Oh for Kami's sake! Spit it out Naruto!"
"Okay, okay. Jeez Sakura-chan,...failure to...uhm...consummate."
A silence fell over the occupants of the room and even though Naruto couldn't see her, since she was still hiding behind an overprotective Sasuke, Naruto was willing to bet Hinata had just turned a previously unknown shade of red. Moving his gaze between the two angry men Naruto wondered just how bad his would turn out.
"I demand proof that this...union is binding."
No longer had it taken old man Hyuga to spit those words out before the black flames began to rise between the clearly drawn lines. A reminder that any who tried to touch Hinata was a very painfully dead man. Naruto could tell that Sasuke's almost nonexistent patience was running out and if Naruto didn't find a solution to this he was going to lose Sasuke all over again. Naruto needn't have worried since Kaka-sensei was around to spin the situation in Sasuke's favor.
Sasuke was about to end the blathering fool's pointless life once and for all until a hand fell on his shoulder. Breaking his death glare away from the Hyuga head Sasuke looked into the bored eye of his sensei, but underneath that cool facade Sasuke could feel a hint of annoyance in the air. Kakashi's much more subdued annoyance camouflaged by his own inundating amount of roiling chakra.
"I agree."
Snapping his eyes back to his sensei and feeling Hinata's face moving in shock to stare along with the rest of the bar's inhabitants. His sensei always had an angle, his every action thought out, done for a reason, and if Sasuke wasn't so passed rational thoughts that didn't end in death he would try to follow the reasoning behind his sensei's actions. For now he would glare at the man and wait.
"I for one would like to have any doubt as to the legitimacy of this marriage put to rest, right Sasuke? It's best the Hyuga be made aware that this marriage and any progeny it creates is by the law pure Uchiha and what better time than to do it with clan heirs as witnesses and the Hokage present."
Following the old geezers line of logic Sasuke inwardly smirked, this would require one of the best performances of his life and perhaps even that of Hinata's, he just hoped she was ready.
"Hn. Lets get this done with and should the Hyuga ever intervene like this again, be made aware that I will bring the full wait of your own law down on your head for meddling in clan matters. You have no claim to my wife, to any of my progeny, or my clan's matters."
Hinata pressed her flushed face into Sasuke's back trying to hide her reaction from the onlookers. There was no way this was going to end with anything other than her embarrassment. Proof...her father demanded proof. The contract was binding, she knew precisely what she was doing when she signed it, so the only way her father could refute the marriage was by proving that she and Sasuke.. that they hadn't...that the marriage hadn't been consummated.
"Summon your copy of the marriage scroll Hyuga. My patience is reaching its limit."
Hinata went to her toes, peaking out from over Sasuke's shoulder to see her father summon the scroll. Within a blink of an eye the scroll rested in her father's hands. Her father quickly opened the scroll, he would find no fault. Hinata had made sure the scroll was signed accordingly to Hyuga mandates, and had filed a copy in the village archives while on duty years ago. The only thing that could undo the marriage now was...well lack of consummation. Hinata however, refused to allow her father to destroy her marriage. Turning away from her father she met Sasuke's eyes over his shoulder, her eyes fell to his lips, 'You're an Uchiha now.' He mouthed the words and offered her a smirk before turning his attention back to her father.
Yes, she was but what did that have to do with it.
"This cannot be. That Uchiha forged the document!"
"Tell me Hyuga what bothers you more that I'm a so called traitor or that I'm an Uchiha?"
"By definition of an Uchiha you're both. A deceiving, treacherous killer."
Hinata fell to her stocking feet hiding her flinch to her father's words behind Sasuke's back.
"You're right Hyuga. We're all deceivers by nature."
Hinata's head jerked up, her eyes wide with shock looking to Kakashi-sensei. The bored looking man only winked at her. They were playing. 'I'm an Uchiha now, they decieve by nature.' Hinata could slap herself for not noticing it. She closed her eyes, concentrated on the chakra filling the room, although it flooded it the hightened menace was no longer present. To anyone else not paying attention Sasuke's chakra still felt angry but he was calm in comparison to earlier. Hinata went beyond the spoken words, Sasuke was telling her to deceive, to lie, but about wha-
'Consummation.'
He needed her to lie to her father, her teammates, and her friends. He needed her to pull off a lie in front everyone who knew her tells. He asked for the impossible, and yet he asked nothing but what was expected of an Uchiha. She was the matriarch, she would be the mother of all Uchihas, and right now she needed to be a lying, deceiving Uchiha.
"Give it a rest Hyuga. The contract is binding, we knew what we were doing when we signed it, and our marital life is none of your business."
"I demand proof that this union has been consummated."
"And I've told you, anyone touches her and they die."
Sakura tried to wrap her mind around this madness. This was archaic, the Hyuga was asking for medical proof that Hinata was either a virgin or not. It was ridiculous, beyond barbaric. Turning her emerald gaze to Naruto she silently implored for him to do something.
Was she happy that Sasuke seemed to care more about a woman who never went after him, who never looked liked she worried throughout the years, while team seven had moved mountains to get him back. No. Was she a little pissed that Sasuke looked at her with adoration while he ignored Naruto and herself, yes. But in the end Sasuke was Sasuke. And if he felt strongly enough about the shy kunoichi to protect her, and fight for her, then team seven would do the same.
Not for her, but for Sasuke. For the boy who never showed love for fear of losing what he held dear. To give him a second chance at a normal life. And if Hinata was the key to that life then so be it.
Naruto took in the glares from the normally stoic men, the pleading look on Sakura's face, and the angered disbelief on his friend's faces. There was no way he was going to order a medical examination for the proof Hiashi demanded, but they needed to get him to stand down. Knowing Sasuke would cause a massacre before letting anyone touch Hinata, Naruto asked for the only logical thing.
"Teme can you please just tell Hyuga whether the marriage has been consumated, so that we can all go douse the lanterns and leave this bar intact."
"I demand-"
"And you'll keep making demands until you turn blue Hyuga. As Hokage I am not going to order an examination of a clan Lady to appease you temper tantrum. You will either take their word for it or you drop the topic and walk away. Those are your options and be glad I'm humoring you."
Naruto was pissed and tired. He simply wanted to go douse the lanterns, end Obon, cuddle up with his fiance on the couch, and end this damn day. Get away from stupid clan problems, village problems, everyone's problems for one night.
"Sasuke, will you please just answer the question."
This is what he wanted, no needed from her. A lie, a reaction on her part that everyone would accept as truth. Sasuke knew she wouldn't be able to speak, but that wasn't necessary. She couldn't do this, she tried to tell him with her eyes, tried to make him understand that she could not lie to a room full of trained shinobi who knew her, they would sense a lie. But Sasuke looked straight into her eyes, smirking, he didn't need her to lie with words.
Giving his back to the rest of the room, so that only Kakashi and Hinata could see his face, Sasuke activated his Sharingan. He looked her in the eyes and brought the memory of this morning to the forefront of her mind, to play like it was unfolding before her eyes, without anyone the wiser. What was a split second glance to the rest of the room, would be much more in Hinata's mind. She would probably be angry, most people were when they came to and realized he had played with their minds. But Sasuke would rather her anger for the rest of their bound lives, than losing her to some bullshite loophole the Hyuga would enforce. He just hoped she forgave him.
One moment Hinata had been trying to convey her apology with her eyes, trying to make Sasuke understand that even if she wanted to, for him, for them, she could not lie. The next she was in their living room watching and feeling as though from Sasuke's mind as Sasuke and she awoke this morning.
He was warm, the sun was filtering into the room from the wide window in front of the couch. A small smile formed on his lips as he took in the sight of his wife in only his shirt resting upon him, clutching unto him as though to keep him from leaving. Her face was turned away from the light, her even breaths falling on his bare chest. Sasuke wondered if this was happiness. No gnawing emptiness, or need to run. He wondered if this was...peace.
She was the key and she didn't even know it. Feeling tensioin begin to fill her body he waited for hey eyes to flutter open. Onyx met opal, one moment in filtered sunshine, made even more beautiful for being together. Sasuke leaned his head down stealing a kiss. His lips met hers, a soft morning greeting, if only it had stayed that way.
Her hands were running the length of his chest, her dull nails dragging down his abdomen, making his breath hitch. It was getting out of hand again. Suddenly she was straddling his waist, one hand tangled in his hair, the other roaming his body. Sasuke was having a hard time remembering why he was waiting to take her, make her his in every sense of the word, when she so eagerly wanted. The kiss continued, hands exploring, and the fire burned higher.
Sasuke gripped the bare legs that caged him, trying desperately to remember why he was being a gentleman. Any rational thought almost leaving when he heard her moan as she shifted above him, a rough groan torn from him. He tore his lips from hers, even as her grip tightened on his hair. This was a sight worth dying for, no living for. Her hair was tussled, shining in the early morning light, her lips parted and swollen, her eyes clouded with passion, her lust written on her every curve.
Sasuke leaned his forehead on her shoulder, trying for some semblance of composure. Not easily won as she yet again moved against him. Taking a firm grip of her hips to still her, Sasuke almost said to hell with it, as she continued to grind atop him. She was to far gone, and Sasuke wasn't really capable of rational thought. With the last ounce of sanity left, he bit into her shoulder. Not a delicate bite, but one that would break through her haze. Feeling her tense up, her hands retreating, Sasuke withdrew. Looking into wide opal colored eyes, he clenched unto her hips before she could make a wild dash out of the room. Without breaking eye contact he whispered as to not break the moment.
"No more running."
Sasuke turned his gaze to the rest of the people in the room, analyzing their reactions. He knew there was a scarlet blush consuming her face, her eyes down cast. They would take her reaction as answer enough to the question at hand. He kept the scowl on his face evincing nothing but anger. A movement caught his eye as he turned to find her hand flying up to lay over her clothed covered shoulder. A bruise now marred the alabaster skin under her hand.
Turning back to the shinobi filled room Sasuke made sure they saw only what he wanted them to see.
"I've already told you, our marital life is none of your business."
Naruto knew he was probably wearing a touch of rose on his cheeks at the moment. Then again its not everyday you watch the girl who loved you most of her life confirm the fact that she had slept with your best friend. Although when put like that it sounded so much worse than reality. Hinata had turned such a deep shade of red at the question of consummation, Naruto was worried she would faint. The hand covering her shoulder and the bowed head giving the entire room an answer without so much as a word from either one.
Of course Sasuke wasn't going to admit that although everyone knew Hinata had answered the question, just by virtue of being Hinata. Unlike the teme she couldn't lie worth a damn. Clearing his throat and wondering how he got dragged into things like these, Naruto tried to put an end to this situation.
"Due to...Ahem, circumstantial evidence I'm going to go ahead and say this marriage has been consummated."
Putting on his best official Hokage face and turning on his serious voice, Naruto continued.
"As Hokage, with a room full of clan heirs as witnesses, I hereby declare this union binding-"
"But-
"Binding. And should anyone intervene in the matters of the Uchiha Clan Heads they shall suffer the full weight of the punishment dictated by the village laws."
Sighing Naruto addressed old man Hyuga who looked like he was gearing up for another rant.
"Its over Hyuga. Cut your loses and walk away. I am not in the mood to humor you anymore. Now since everything has been squared away and resolved. I have a lantern dousing to lead and a village to deal with."
Extending his hand for Sakura who quickly took it, Naruto walked up to old man Hyuga.
"You'll accompany me won't you Hyuga-sama."
The old man wanted to argue Naruto could tell, but he wasn't giving the old bastard a chance. With a final glare the stodgy Hyuga practically stomped out of the bar with his enforcers behind him. Looking at the rest of his friends he waved them on. Finally getting a clue they started filing out even though some looked back. When the room was empty, save team seven and Hinata, Naruto sighed and gave Sasuke a nod before walking out with Sakura. Kakashi disappearing in a cloud of smoke leaving Sasuke alone in the silence with his wife.
"You manipulated me."
A/N: like always please Read and Review, it helps pump chapters out quicker, since I'm constantly reminded.
Title of the chapter was inspired by Jamey Johnson's rendition of "You Are My Sunshine."