AN: Well, I put in my profil link to picture of models that are inspiration for what Aerth wears on missions. But my character doesn't has sword, any metal armor pieces or pistols (but he will use hand crossbow later). As for Yukiko, think of her as Tsunami (Tazuna's daughter) with Byakugan.
Thanks to all who read this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Of course.
Next ten month flow by. Following their first kiss, Aerth and Yukiko became officially couple. They never kissed in public (being Hyuuga, Yuki was expected to properly behave), but it was obvious to everyone that this two loved and cared about each other. He performed twenty A-rank mission and ten B-rank. Thanks to his abilities, most of them he completed solo, only sometimes he was added to other squads (mostly Kakashi's, but one time he accompanied famous Shika-Ino-Cho team). He tried to be careful and not to stand up to much, but despites his efforts he is listed in all bingo books as "Konoha's Wraith". Between missions and dates with Yukiko, he still found time for Naruto and speech against Cage Bird seal (he discovered that Shadow clone technique is really amazing – when he was with his girlfriend, his clones works in clan's library). This all lead him to this point. 23 June, Yuki's birthday. He was in her home waiting for her and her father. He managed to avoid her whole day, but it was time to face his fate. He took his time to bring back memories: their first date, first kiss, first time he found her at the gate waiting for his return from mission. He flinched at memory of her crying when he woke up in hospital after being seriously hurt during mission. That time he promised to himself never make her crying because of him again. He smiled remembering how happy she was during their normal dates. His thoughts was interrupted by certain god.
"Nervous?"
"Yeah, part of me still has hope that ANBU suddenly appear with S-rank mission from Hokage."
"Well, you always can escape now, nothing happened… yet"
"No, I'm completely sure about this. It's only nerves, I'll manage"
"Of course you will. Just try not stutter."
"Hn, annoying yellow ball"
"At your service. Now, your lady's coming."
Aerth looked at her. She was reallybeautiful, he never has enough looking into her eyes or playing with her hair. Just one look at her and every doubts vanished. She was smiling, but there was some confusion in eyes.
"Aerth-kun, is something wrong? I couldn't find you whole day, you aren't mad, are you?"
Hyuuga Hiroshi smiled at his daughter
"I think it is something opposite, but you will find soon enough."
Aerth bowed.
"Hiroshi-sama, thanks for agreeing to this meeting. I know it was sudden and you probably has some plan for evening."
Hiroshi nodded.
"It was slightly unexpected, but I has no real plan, so this is no problem. Now can you tell us why this sudden visit?"
Aerth take a breath.
"Hiroshi-sama, I know that I have no name, no land and no fortune. I know that there can be found better candidates, but I love your daughter. I want make her happy and every time I see her crying my heart is aching. You have my deep thanks for allowing me to courting her and spend time with her. And I am here to make my final request – I formally ask you for Yukiko's hand in marriage."
Yukiko gasped and put her hands over mouth. She looked at her father with hope, tears appearing in her eyes. Her mother was here as well and she do her best not to starts crying. Hiroshi wait two minutes with blank face before answering.
"Young man, I know you are man of honor and will make my daughter very happy. In day of your first date Hiashi-sama summoned me to his study and told about his offer to you. After this I was sure you are the best possible match for my daughter. So I give you my blessing." He step aside to give young couple some room.. Aerth fall on one knee and took small box from pocket. He opened it and revealed golden ring with diamond.
"Hyuuga Yukiko, will you marry me?"
She smiled and he thought that this was her most beautiful smile he ever saw. Even tears running from her eyes can't change that.
"Yes, I will"
Aerth took the ring and slide it on her finger. Hiroshi stood besides his very happy wife.
"As you has no family name then by marriage with my daughter you will join Hyuuga clan. So before betrothal ceremony will take place, certain documents must be prepared and sign by clan head. I don't think there will be problems with it. Yukiko, I and your mother are very happy for you. Now your fiancé probably want to take you out so you can celebrate."
Aerth nodded.
"Indeed, but I want to invite you, Hiroshi-sama and Ayumi-san, for dinner as well."
Hiroshi smiled.
"We accept your invitation, just give us few minutes to change. It is only once in life that your eldest daughter accepts proposal and is engaged."
Two months later.
Aerth has feelings of déjà vu. Now he stays on top of Hokage's monument and are mentally preparing himself from other important event in his life. It wasn't because of wedding – it will take place for moth from now, 23 September. No, it was something else – tomorrow he will fight against one of main family Hyuuga member to determine if caged bird seal will be abandon or not. He complete his task yesterday and just few hours ago Hyuuga council end meeting about future of the clan. The result wasn't too bad, but not good either.
Flashback
Hyuuga Hiashi just left the council's meeting room. He presented Aerth's research results. Everything was said: that other clans has bloodline limits as well and can keep secrets about it without seal. That in previous wars some Hyuuga main house members fallen and still there is no sight of byakugan in other villages. There was even medical expertise that confirms it isn't possible to create bloodline limit artificially (that's why Cloud's try to kidnap Hinata instead of killing her instantly). Even removing eyes isn't a solution, because without Hyuuga blood there is no way to control byakugan. As point for this Kakashi's example was taken – he has sharingan without being an Ucicha, but he can't fully control it. This arguments was enough to win half of the council, but other half was stubborn and meetings ends in stealmate. Hiashi walked into his study where Aerth's was already waiting.
"How it ends?"
Hyuuga clan head sigh.
"Better than I expected, but still not good enough. We have stealmate and no way to breaking it with simple arguments. The traditional fight will decide about future of this clan. My main opponent in discussion has son and choose him to participate in fight." Hiashi looked at Aerth's sadly. "I personally can't participate and my daughters are too young for this. So I have no other options but choose you. Councils try to argue that it is against traditions and only Hyuuga member or someone who will became part of the clan no later than in month can participate, but you will marry Yukiko soon enough to meet one of this conditions."
Aerth nodded.
"This was my idea from start so this is only fair that I will do this. There are rules I assume?"
"There are. Most important – you can't use anything but byakugan and Jyuuken. No genjutsu, ninjutsu, other taijutsu style. Moreover, you can't kill your opponent or permanently cripple him. That's practically all."
"What about inner chakra's reserves? If I have additional amount of chakra that looks like are natural ability of my body can I use it?"
"Yes, it is permitted. As long as this chakra isn't effect of soldier pills or strange technique you can use it."
Aerth smiled. This certainly will help.
Hiashi has one more thing to say.
"You must be aware that caged bird seal is very strong. That strong that after removing it person became blind. So even if you win, we will not be able to permanently remove it, only deactivate. So your wife will has it for rest of the life."
Aerth smirked.
"Hiashi-sama, I think I know a way to remove it without harming the person. So this will be no problem."
End of flashback.
He was really glad he decided to propose to Yuki-chan two months ago. This way, no matter how fight will end, no one can say there was hidden meanings behind it. He really wasn't eager to heard that his marriage was for other reasons than love. Well tomorrow will be decided if he join united clan or divided.
They stood in dojo. There was presents: all member of council, including Hiashi. Aerth requested presence of his fiancée and her family, so they was there as well. His opponent looks calmly and very confident. There was also one branch house member who will act as referee. Aerth has his usual mission outfit. He looked at Yukiko, it was obvious that she was worried.
Referee steps forward.
"Are participants ready?" Both nods. "I will end match if one of you will be unable to fight. Now took your stance.". Aerth drops to standard Jyuuken stance as well as Hyuuga that he was facing. His opponent has byakugan already active. Referee took last glanced. "Fight!". He leapt backward, not wanting to be catch between them.
First blows was means to test opponents defense and both fighters quickly find out that land a good hit will be difficult. This slightly surprised a Hyuuga as he was obviously thinking that Aerth is weak in Jyuuken. He learn about his mistake very soon as was slowly pushing back. Aerth attacked fiercely, not upset or distracted by fact that his opponent is able to dodge or block every blow. He know this fight will be long and he needs to be patient. He decides that permanent offensive is the best option as it effectively block any chances to perform Eight Trigrams Sixty Four palms. Aerth was forced to leap backward when Hyuuga Hayato performs kaiten. He smirked when Hyuuga stops spinning.
"Any changes in your mind?"
Hayato nodded.
"I underestimated you, you are far better than expected."
"Oh, so you wasn't serious? I'm hurt."
Hayato drop to stance again and assaulted with great speed. Aerth only managed to take defensive stance. He blocked first blows and tried some counterattacks, but without success. He starts to be cornered and need to find solution fast. Then idea popped in his mind. "Sometimes you must lose if you want to win". He continue to fight, faking some counterattack and resistance to build up Hayato confidence. When Hyuuga dodge one of counter and took familiar stance, Aerth know his tactics worked. Hayato smirked.
"This fight is over. You are good, but no match for true Hyuuga. You're in range of my divination fields."
"Here it comes. Pacman, prepare yourself."
With blinding speed, Hayato cut the distance between him and Aerth and start striking his opponent's tenketsu points. Aerth collapsed to ground after last blow and Yukiko cover her mouth. She was ready to rush and support her fiancée, but was stop by her father. Hayato nodded and turn around before doing few steps.
"Referee, match is over."
Branch house member slowly rise his hand, but froze before speaking single word. Hayato heard a quiet vice behind him.
"You are not in position to celebrate yet."
He turned and saw his opponent standing. Aerth was panting, this attack really is hard. "Man, it hurts more than I expected. And they called it gently fist?"
Hayato eyed him.
"Surrender. You are in no condition to fight anymore. Maybe you can stand, but you can't use chakra. Forfeiting is the only option."
Now Aerth smiled.
"Yeah, that attack was perfect. You really are true Hyuuga. Your father must be proud. But I still have one ace in sleeve."
With his byakugan, Hayato saw yellow chakra filling Aerth's body. Before he can react, avatar was on him and struck his shoulders, belly and thighs before leaping away. Hyuuga want to rushed after him, but collapsed after taking three steps. His eyes widen as he discovered that he is unable to move. He looked at Aerth.
"What has you done to me?"
Aerth send him a small grin.
"I forced my yellow chakra inside your system. Normally it will be lethal as I'm only one that can handle it safely, but in a very small amount it only cause temporal paralysis. This whole counters and defense was a fake, I know that after using sixty four palms you will be sure that fight is over and will let your guard down. I saw opening and take advantage of it. Don't worry, your state won't last longer than ten minutes."
"Hyuuga Hayato, are you able to stand up and continue this fight?" asked Branch house member. He can't show this, but he was hoping that this really was over.
Hayato clenched teeth before answering.
"No."
Referee risen his hand.
"Very well. Victor of the match – Aerth."
Silence filled the dojo. Aerth slowly approached clan elders and bowed. Hiashi was first that stood up and started clapping. After him other council members do the same, but some of them without much enthusiasm. Six of them wasn't happy, but they can't deny that no rules was broken.
Aerth has enough time to turn in direction of his fiancée before she thrown herself on him and hugged him tightly. Tears was running out of her eyes and she sobs into his shoulder. He gently put his arms around her.
"It's ok Yuki-chan, it's over. Please don't cry."
Hiashi was pleased seeing happy couple supporting each other, but they will have time for themselves later. He cleared his throat.
"As I recall from yesterday, you can remove seal permanently without any drawbacks."
Aerth smiled and slightly pushed Yukiko to make some space between them, but firmly hold her left hand. He looked into her eyes and put his right hand over her forehead, in place where seal was visible. Then he slowly and clearly spoke words of prayer. When he lowered his hand again, there was no sight of caged bird seal, just at it was never exists. Yukiko blinked few times, confused. Hiashi only nodded.
"Yukiko, can you tell us if you starts to experience any problem with your eyes?"
She shook her head.
"No, Hiashi-sama. My eyes are as good as always, no problems at all."
Satisfied, clan head looked at Aerth again.
"Are you able to do this to every Branch house member?"
"Yes, though I must recover from this fight first. But tomorrow I can do it."
Hiashi looked at referee.
"I want every clan member present on courtyard in one hour. There is important announcement I want to made."
"Yes, Hiashi-sama". Branch house member quickly left the dojo to carry out order.
After decades, division in Hyuuga clan has ended.