Twin1: Just for fun, may or may not line up with fic canon. On my hard drive for ages, uploading it because I love you guys. FYI I wrote this in hospital after sneaking out with Twin2 to watch The Last in cinema. Rebels all.
Drabble Eleven: Wife
Twenty years old
Naruto swallowed, fiddling with his sleeve anxiously. He was wearing his smartest, stiffest clothes - the black and red kimono his dad forced him to wear to formal dinners. Kakashi grinned and bumped shoulder.
"You look like you're about to throw up. You okay?"
"Y-" Naruto's voice failed. He swallowed and tried again. "Yeah. Let's do this."
Well, at least he didn't sound like he was going to faint, Kakashi thought with some amusement. He would deny the fluttering in his own stomach on pain of torture. "Come on, then," he said to his son.
Naruto smiled, and didn't even have to tilt his face up anymore to do it - he was just as tall as Kakashi now, give or take. Tall and broad and very, very young.
Nostalgia later, Kakashi told himself sternly, and led the way to the gate. "We're here to see Hiashi-sama," he said. The Branch Member grinned at him.
"Hiashi-sama is expecting you, Rokudaime-sama," he said formally, bowing as he let them pass. Then he ruined it when he called a cheeky, "Good luck!" at their backs.
Naruto was practically vibrating with nervous energy by the time they reached and were admitted into Hiashi's house. They were seated in his formal drawing room and served tea by a glowing Hinata, who was stunning in a white kimono and had woven flowers into her hair.
Hiashi sat opposite them, equally dressed up. He accepted his tea and placed a hand on Hinata's when she sat down next to him. Ignoring Naruto, he looked straight at Kakashi and waited.
There was an awkward pause. Hiashi raised his eyebrow at Kakashi. Kakashi stared back. Silence reigned, until Naruto was fidgeting constantly and Hinata had turned her teacup around twenty-seven times without taking a single sip.
Finally, Kakashi leant back and spoke. "Maa, I don't really know what I'm supposed to say here," he admitted. "Hi?"
That made Hiashi huff, his version of a surprised laugh. "Hello. Yes, I suppose the etiquette of asking permission to become engaged is an area of your education that I have neglected," he said dryly - Hiashi had been Kakashi's main tutor in all things tradition or culture. "This situation is rather... unorthodox anyway. It is strange that Naruto is seeking to become my son-in-law."
Kakashi winced a bit, aware that Hiashi saw himself as a father-figure for Kakashi and wondering if that would cost Naruto this match. Probably not, but until things were set the doubts would niggle.
"So how do we do this?" he asked bluntly. Hiashi sighed.
"Generally, this is a polite conversation that you would gradually work around to asking after Naruto's eligibility as a suitor for my daughter. Because I doubt either of you has the subtlety for such a task - Naruto." His tone changed at the last word, becoming more frank and familiar than Kakashi had ever heard from him.
Naruto looked equally surprised at the tone, but answered readily. "Yes, sir?"
"Are you going to look after my daughter?" Hiashi asked.
"Yes, sir," said Naruto like he wasn't sure where Hiashi planned on taking this.
"You're going to treat her well?"
"Yes, sir."
"Provide for her?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you respect my daughter? As a woman and as a ninja?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are you going to run around on her?"
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "N-No, sir!"
"Going to hit her? Neglect her? Mistreat her in any way?"
"No, sir!" This time it was more fervent. Hiashi narrowed his eyes.
"And do you understand that I am going to slit you navel to nose if you break any of the promises you just made to me?"
It was impossible not to believe Hiashi's sincerity. Naruto swallowed, glancing over his shoulder at his dad. Kakashi raised an eyebrow, silently lending Hiashi's words support by not speaking up in his son's defence. He wouldn't actually let Hiashi murder him if Naruto did screw this up, but he wouldn't be standing in the way of a good beating. Not that he ever believed it would come to that in a million years.
Naruto met Hiashi's eyes again, and Kakashi watched his body language change. He didn't actually move, but Kakashi could still literally see how he stepped up, taking on adulthood and abandoning the well-rehearsed role of a dutiful child following his father.
"Yes, sir," he said, and it rang with finality. The left side of Hiashi's mouth tipped up just a bit. He nodded, once.
"Well, then, Hatake Naruto-san," he said. "I do not disapprove of you marrying my daughter - provided she agrees."
Naruto's eyes lit up, a split-second warning before he leapt to his feet. Teacups went flying, but Naruto didn't notice as he gave a cry of victory and joy. He vaulted over the low table and caught Hinata up in an embrace that lifted her clear off the floor, spinning her around.
"YES! He said yes, Hinata!"
"N-Naruto," Hinata laughed, embarrassed and happy and not minding the exuberance too much as she was spun around and around. Kakashi had to grin at the scene, at his son finding someone. Even Hiashi smiled softly, reservedly happy for the couple.
"We'll arrange for the engagement ceremony to be soon," he said to the other father. "I doubt my daughter will tolerate anything less."
"Naruto does find it hard to be patient," Kakashi replied in kind. Inwardly, he winced as he remembered how traditional the Hyuuga family was. It was likely that Hiashi would ask for an engagement settlement from him, the groom's father. Well, they could work that out when there was a little less joy choking up the air.
For now, he stood up and went to them, ready to complete his part of this meeting - unnecessary as it was. Stopped Naruto from spinning Hinata around until she threw up by clapping him on the shoulder in congratulations, looked Hinata in the eye and told her that he would consent to the marriage as well.
"I would be proud for you to become my daughter," he told her. She rewarded his words with a smile so beautiful it could have been wrought from moonlight, and put her arms around his son. With a word, Hiashi released the young couple and they fled the room, leaving their parents alone.
"Well, that was exciting," Kakashi said, bending to pick up an upended cup.
