The Decision
One final rapid update before my spring break ends. I hope this is good.
Naruto and Hinata returned to the meeting room where their parents were currently present. Seeing the two of them enter the room made all four of its occupants focus their attention on them, expecting some form of response.
Thus Naruto decided to give his answer. "The two of us have talked and I've reached my decision. I want to marry Hinata."
Even though he had said it to her directly before, hearing him say it again made Hinata's heart start to beat faster. She was almost getting giddy from joy only to realise that everyone was now looking at her in anticipation for her answer.
"S-Since I'm the one who made the proposal, my answer is a-also the same. Of course I will marry Naruto-kun."
Hearing their responses Hinata's mother started to clap cheerfully. Even Hiashi was nodding his head with a visible smile on his face.
However to Naruto's surprise his parents did not seem to be reacting, which was very unlike them given their generally over the top nature when it came to matters regarding their son.
"Very well, since they have given their answers I think both sides should take a moment to talk in private before we reach a final decision." Minato suggested to the Hyuga. "We will leave you here to converse. The three of us will return shortly."
Without any words both Minato and Kushina exited the room, making Naruto follow in their trail. They kept walking through the hallway without any words which left their son in a state of confusion. Naruto thought that they would have been happier after hearing his reply given that they were the ones who initially wanted this marriage to happen. He didn't understand what was going on.
Eventually the three reached the clan leader's office and once they entered Minato shut the door behind them. "Son, we need to talk." He said in a grim tone.
"What's the matter mom, dad?" Naruto inquired his parents. "Why did we need this extra time to talk? I imagined you would have shown your support for this marriage once I said yes given how much you wanted it to happen."
"Naruto…we don't think this marriage is a good idea." Kushina replied with a very serious look on her face.
Naruto was shocked to hear his parents' words. "W-What do you mean?"
"It is as your mother just said. We've come to the realisation that us suggesting this marriage was a bad idea." Minato explained.
The initial shock having worn off, Naruto was now getting frustrated after hearing his parents. "Are you guys serious? After all the coaxing and persuading the two of you did, now suddenly you decide to back out of this once I agree to the marriage? Is this another one of those decisions you've reached because of the clan? Now that I've finally found the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with, you're going to overlook my happiness for the sake of the clan. Seriously, what the heck is going on?"
"You've got the wrong idea Naruto." His mother quickly rejected his accusations. "We're not saying this because of the clan. In that regard this marriage would still be beneficial. However, we think this marriage is a bad idea because we're concerned about you."
"How so?" Naruto was now confused.
"You don't know the details about Hinata's past. It is incredibly complex, as is the mental disorder that she is going through." Kushina elaborated. "She has two personalities, one of whom is very destructive in nature."
"And that isn't all either." Minato decided to chime in. "Hinata has a highly polarised relationship with her clan, one that is built around a lot of hostility. We don't think it is safe for you to have a relationship with such a person."
Once he heard his parents' accounts Naruto finally started to realise where they were coming from. They had heard the story of her past from her parents, the same one she told him earlier.
"If it's about Hinata's past and her dual personality then I know about it." He told his parents calmly this time. "She herself told me everything, and I agreed to the marriage with that knowledge."
Both of his parents had a look of surprise after hearing his acknowledgement.
"And you're okay with it?" Kushina was undoubtedly concerned. "Her other personality is incredibly dangerous. Even if that side of her may not always be present, she is still a part of Hinata and we're worried about the two of you coming into clash with one another."
"I've considered this and that's why I've spoken to Hinata's other self as well."
"I'm surprised you thought so much of it through. What did she say?" Minato asked inquisitively.
"I shared my thoughts about her actions. I told her that although I may not necessarily agree with her methods, I understood that much of what she did despite the ruthlessness was a means to protect herself. I empathise with her to that extent. That is why I promised her that from this point forward I will be the one to protect the original Hinata just like I did as a child. She accepted my proposal and as such agreed to the marriage between me and her real self. Honestly, she is very level-minded when you speak to her. It's not like she wants hostility. She just reacts to it with force to keep herself safe."
Both of his parents were truly impressed by how tactfully Naruto handled the situation. Minato in particular was very pleased by his son's thoughtfulness.
"But it still doesn't change the fact that the situation surrounding Hinata is rather complicated." Kushina argued. "We really just want you to be able to spend the rest of your life in peace and given her gruesome past, it may all lead to disaster."
Naruto understood his parents' concerns. He knew they were saying this because they cared for him. But he absolutely wanted this marriage to happen. Thus he assumed the most determined look he could conjure.
"Mom, dad, I absolutely understand your concerns and I am truly thankful that I have such caring parents. But in this one occasion more than ever before I wish for you two to trust my judgement. My heart truly does belong with her. It has for a very long time. I WANT to protect her of my own free will because she is precious to me. I promise you that I won't make you regret this decision of mine. I know that I will find true happiness with her, because that is what my heart tells me. So please, I'm begging you to put your faith in me." Naruto ended his statement decisively, leaving both of his parents temporarily speechless.
"Naruto-" Kushina was about to say something but Minato gently placed one of his hands on her shoulder and shook his head side to side.
"That's enough Kushina." He said calmly. "Do you not see the look in his eyes? That's the look of a man, not a boy."
This observation prompted Kushina to look into her son's eyes carefully and she could see it too. Something was quite different about him, as though he had matured greatly.
"There are times in a person's life when he makes an absolute decision, and once he has made that decision he follows through it no matter what, even if that means facing up to its negative consequences. That is what differentiates a child from an adult." Minato explained to his wife. "I believe Naruto has finally reached that point. Our son has grown up and we need to treat him as such. We should respect his decision. If he believes in it so strongly, as his parents we should too. I don't think there is anything wrong in that. What do you say?"
Kushina looked from Naruto to Minato and both of them stood firm in their stance, unshaken. The term "Like Father Like Son" could not be more suitable than at this very moment.
She sighed before looking up to them both with a smile. "Sometimes I just can't win with you two. How can I disagree in the face of such decisiveness?"
Hearing that Minato gave Naruto an empathetic thumbs up. "Looks like you're in the clear son. Just make sure not to regret anything."
Naruto returned the thumbs up in his usual cheerful demeanour. "Of course I won't, because I never go back on my word. It is my ninja way after all."
"Good to know." Minato replied just as cheerfully. "Also, since I helped you out in regards to your marriage by setting it up so that you could meet the girl of your dreams once again, you should name your child "Boruto" in commemoration of your father."
Naruto was flabbergasted by the sudden request.
"It's a cool name isn't it Naruto?" Kushina asked him as well. "Since your father is known as the "Yellow Flash" because of how he travels like lightning, the name Boruto is derived from that concept of a lightning bolt. So if you have a son you have to give him that name."
"Why are you two thinking about your grandchildren's name when YOUR SON HASN'T EVEN GOTTEN MARRIED YET?!" Naruto asked rather fiercely before turning away from his parents and taking a meek tone. "But fine whatever. I'm grateful to you two for setting up this marriage, so I'll name my son Boruto if I ever have one."
"BOOM! GOT IT!" Both Minato and Kushina shared a massive high five due to their success before placing their hands on their son's shoulders.
"Alright then, how about we go finalise the marriage with the Hyuga?" Minato asked his son with a large grin across his face.
"LET'S GOOOOOOOO!" Kushina didn't bother waiting for her son's answer as she pushed him along with her pace.
Naruto couldn't help but smile as well from his parents' infectious enthusiasm.
Elsewhere in the compound within the meeting room the Hyuga family were having a discussion of their own.
"You did well Hinata." Harumi said to her daughter while patting her on the head. "Aren't you happy you worked up the courage to make this a reality?"
Hinata nodded heartily, her elation abundantly evident.
"I'm glad everything turned out well without any hitches. I was worried the Uzumaki would back down after learning of your other self." Hiashi told his daughter. "But I suppose the faith you put in Uzumaki Naruto was well founded. Now I can feel at peace, at least for my child."
"It's thanks to the both of you for supporting me when the rest of the clan was so opposed to it. For that I am truly grateful. Thank you otou-sama, okaa-sama."
"We're glad that you're happy." Harumi hugged her daughter out of joy. "Oh and you do remember our little deal right, one that we agreed upon if this marriage went through?"
Hinata blushed strongly as she nodded back at her parents.
Harumi giggled as she lightly pinched her child's adorable cheeks. "If you have a daughter, make sure to name her "Himawari". I think it would fit perfectly given our names, since Harumi means "sunny", Hiashi means "daytime" and Hinata means "towards the sun". What kind of flower blooms towards the sun during a bright sunny day? A sunflower of course. In other words "Himawari". Isn't it a nice name?"
Hinata's face was becoming as red as a tomato from hearing her mother talk about her grandchildren. Her and Naruto's children to be more specific. Just that thought alone was enough to send her innocent mind into disarray. In fact some of the images that came up in her mind in regards to how these babies would be conceived were a bit too much for her to handle.
"Auauauauauauauauau…" Hinata's head spun around in both embarrassment and disbelief.
"Too much." Hiashi told his wife.
"Yeah, so it seems." Harumi couldn't help but keep on chuckling at her daughter's childlike display.
When Hinata came to she wanted to show her appreciation towards her parents for their support. To give her potential child a name that her parents so carefully selected would be an honour for her.
"If I have a d-daughter, then I'll happily name her Himawari." She barely managed to utter out before coiling back out of shyness.
"Thanks." Harumi replied with a smile. Even Hiashi couldn't help but nod his head in agreement.
At that point the door to the room opened and the Uzumaki family walked in.
"So the three of us have talked it through and we'd be glad for this marriage between Naruto and Hinata to happen." Minato told the Hyuga. "What about your side?"
"Verily the three of us have no qualms either. We also would like for this marriage between Naruto and Hinata to take place." Hiashi replied back with certainty.
"Then it's confirmed. I have but one request." Minato said to the Hyuga. "I would like for this marriage to take place tonight; right now to be more specific."
Both Naruto and Hinata's eyes widened in shock.
"W-What are you saying dad? Isn't that too quick? What about preparations?" Naruto asked his father while his mouth gaped like a fish.
"Right now members from almost all the major clans of Kirigakure and Uzushiogakure are present at this meeting. Gathering everyone here once again would be a very difficult task. This is literally the perfect timing to hold the marriage. We've already made preparations to accommodate all these people for the entire night, so this marriage should not be an issue. What do you say Hyuga-san?" Minato now diverted his attention to Hiashi and asked of his opinion.
"I agree with you. Kirigakure and Uzushiogakure are villages in two distant lands. Travelling between them, especially with such large parties is rather difficult. I would also like for us to take this opportunity to establish this marriage while such a large party is present. It should really solidify the newfound relationship between not only the Uzumaki and Hyuga clans, but also Uzushiogakure and Kirigakure. Are you two okay with this? It is your marriage after all." Hiashi asked both Naruto and Hinata.
"Yeah…its fine with me. I was just a bit surprised, that is all." Naruto replied while once again regaining his composure.
"I'm happy with it too." Hinata gave her response rather decisively.
"Well, in that case we should get this starte-" Minato was saying to the rest of the people present in the room when someone suddenly interrupted him.
"HOLD IT!" A voice shouted out from somewhere as a poof a white smoke appeared in front of the door to the room.
Everyone's attention was now focused on this newcomer.
A shadowy figure within the smoke started to do some kind of weird dance-like movement on one leg with their arms outstretched.
"From the east to the west to the north to the south, I am known as the great toad sage of Mount Myoboku, JIRAIYA!" He introduced himself boldly, a man in his 60s. "I have received news that Naruto is about to get married, so I have come to make sure that the size of his prospective bride's marshmallows is adequate enough, for this is a matter of utmost importance."
"PERVY SAGE, YOU'RE BACK!" Naruto screamed out a rather unflattering name of the newcomer before quickly jumping in front of Hinata, taking a defensive stance. "DON'T YOU DARE TAKE ONE MORE STEP TOWARDS HER!"
Hinata was dumbfounded by what was going on.
Jiraiya twitched his hands as he smiled lecherously. "Come on Naruto. Let me at least have a look at her."
"Keep your filthy hands off my wife...ummm…about to be wife." Naruto was now in full on defence mode. "I'm warning you, you perverted sage."
The old man now looked somewhat annoyed. "How dare you address me with such a demeaning term after all the time we've spent together? You should know by now that I'm not what you call me."
Naruto gave him a questioning glance in response. "If you aren't a pervert then what are you?"
A massive smile appeared on Jiraiya's face as he swung his great white hair. "I'm not just some pervert, I'M A SUPER PERVERT!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"JIRAIYAAAAAA!" An old lady screamed his name furiously, kicking the door behind him straight at his back, slamming him into the ground. This person had blonde hair and was similar to Jiraiya in age but appeared younger due to a jutsu.
"TSUNADE-BAACHAN!" Naruto shouted her name as he run straight into her and engulfed her in a massive hug. "You're back as well. I'm so glad. It's been a while since you've been gone."
Tsunade patted Naruto's head gently in return, being just as happy to see him. "Of course I returned. There's no way I would miss your wedding. Now then, let's cut straight to the chase. I would like to get to know the lucky girl."
Jiraiya finally managed to get the door off of him and stand back up. "Yeah I think I'd like to meet her as well…all joking aside." He said seriously this time while rubbing his back, leaving aside his morally ambiguous act.
"Of course! Let me introduce the two of you to Hinata." Naruto replied happily to two of his dearest people.
Some new characters added into the mix. Even more to come.
It would be fun to see if you guys managed to guess what Jiraiya and Tsunade's relationships are to Naruto. I'll list the people who guess it correctly next chapter. Just remember that they are very close and in this story a lot of their relationships have been changed around.
That is all for today as I prepare for my little spring break to end shortly. Hope everyone else had a good time as well. See you all next time.