Ruka
AN
And here we have Ruka a Kunoichi from Kiri who only appears in the Anime, she debuts in episode 285 of the Shippuden Anime. She appeared to be very skilled able to counter Pakura's Scorch Release with a combination of the Water Wall Jutsu, and a stream of Water.
The Fourth Great Shinobi War was over and has been for several months, currently the Fifth Mizukage Mei is trying to figure out how best to improve her villages relationship with the other great villages, sure the five great villages had formed the Shinobi Union, but it never hurt to create better bonds with the other villages. She knew that Suna was having the elder sister of the Kazekage Temari, marry the now head of the Nara Clan Shikamaru, though it was likely because the two did, in fact, love each other, rather than anything political. She also knew that Kumo was improving their relationship with Konoha, through a political marriage between Karui and the heir to the Akimichi Clan Choji, this gives Mei an idea if Kumo was doing that then why couldn't Kiri, she just needed to find a suitable Kunoichi to offer Konoha.
(Scene Break)
Kakashi the newly instated Sixth Hokage was doing every Kage's nightmare, paperwork. He was mostly doing this on auto-pilot and as such he almost didn't notice the document from Kiri that was marked important, almost. Kakashi seeing that it was marked important decided to actually read it, what it says makes him both sigh and groan in equal measure. It seemed Kiri wanted to improve its relationship with Konoha and decided to follow Kumo's example, they were offering a Kunoichi named Ruka for a political marriage, he actually remembered Ruka for she had been under his command during the Fourth Shinobi War, she was a talented water user and Med-Nin. Kakashi didn't see a reason not to accept, but he couldn't just accept the offer without going to the Council, so Kakashi signals one of his hidden ANBU to summon the Council.
(Scene Break)
The Council of Konoha are mulling over the offer from Kiri, they had already approved marriages from Suna and Kumo, and it had appeared to set a trend, they may as well expect an offer from Iwa next week. There was only one problem, they had no single Shinobi of the right age, Sasuke was dating Sakura, plus offering a disgraced Shinobi might offend Kiri, Shikamaru was already signed off to Temari, Choji was signed off to Karui, Sai was dating Ino, Kiba was dating Tamaki, Shino was dating Hinata and Rock Lee was dating Tenten.
Of course, there was Naruto, but some of the Council didn't want to marry off their villages hero to a foreign Kunoichi.
"He's the only available choice." Shikamaru says with his lazy drawl.
"Couldn't we break up one of the other couples." A civilian Councilor stupidly says.
"Not happening." A very angry Ino responds.
"Be reasonable Lady Ino." Another civilian Councilor says trying to calm the new Head of the Yamanaka Clan down.
It didn't work, as Ino looked ready to turn the minds of the civilian Council into mush, fortunately for the civilian side, Kakashi intervenes.
"As Shikamaru said he's the only available choice, we are not going to break up an existing couple, only so one of you can have a female family member marry Naruto." Kakashi says glaring at the councillors, who had been most vocal about not having Naruto marry a foreign Kunoichi.
These councillors shift nervously in their seats under Kakashi's glare.
"Meeting adjourned, I'll send Lady Mei a reply saying we accept the political marriage, now I just have to find a way to tell Naruto without him going on a rampage." Kakashi says internally groaning at the prospect of telling Naruto, that he was being put into a political marriage.
Shikamaru and Ino chuckle at Kakashi's comment.
(Scene Break)
The Konoha Twelve, Temari, Karui, Tamaki, Kurenai and Gai are all standing in the Hokage's office, everyone bar Shikamaru and Ino are confused as to why they're there. A few also note that Shikamaru and Ino seem poised to restrain someone should the need arise.
"Thank you all for coming, I have some important news that will affect a person in this room greatly." Kakashi says getting the meeting underway.
Everyone bar Shikamaru and Ino give Kakashi their undivided attention.
"We are accepting another political marriage, this time from Kiri. They are sending us a Kunoichi and I've chosen one of the Shinobi in this room..." Whatever Kakashi was going to say next is drowned out by the outraged cries of several people in the room.
"You'd better not be thinking of breaking us up." Several of the more passionate people in the room cry out, while also making threatening gestures.
"Relax, I'm not breaking up any existing couples." Kakashi says reassuringly.
This calms down those who exploded previously.
"So who have you chosen as her husband Kakashi-Sensei?" Naruto asks.
"You Naruto." Kakashi says dropping the bombshell.
Everyone in the room bar Shikamaru and Ino become stunned at this, Naruto though just looks at Kakashi blankly.
"Could you repeat that Kakashi-Sensei?" Naruto asks in an eerily calm voice.
Warning bells go off in several peoples minds, more so in Kakashi's mind where they are accompanied by crimson flags.
"Naruto you've been selected as her husband." Kakashi says trying not to show the unease he is feeling.
Everyone waits with bated breath as they watch Naruto for a reaction, Naruto though just calmly leaves the office.
"Well that went better than expected." Ino comments.
A few seconds later a loud shout is heard through the village, as Naruto shouts god fucking dammit at the top of his voice.
"I'd better go calm him down." Sasuke says leaving the office, to go and calm his brother in all but blood down.
"Still better than what was expected." Shikamaru comments as Sasuke leaves.
(Scene Break)
The rest of the day was hell for Kakashi, as several angry people came to his office to protest Naruto being chosen for the recent political marriage, fortunately most are just verbal tirades, the exception being Tsunade who literally tries to deliver the same beating to Kakashi, she once gave to Jiraiya when she caught him peeking on her. It took several squads of ANBU, and Shizune to save Kakashi from this fate.
In a couple of days the delegation from Kiri will be arriving to formally announce the political marriage, and then it'd be a couple of years when the marriage itself was to take place, likely a month after Choji's which itself was a month after Shikamaru's.
(Scene Break)
Ruka is not a very happy Kunoichi as she rides in a carriage along with Mei, escorted by several of her soon to be former comrades, she understood Lady Mei's stance in creating stronger bonds with the other villages. But why did it have to be through a political marriage, and why was she chosen?
Still, she was a Kunoichi and this was just a long-term mission, who knows she may actually enjoy being with her new husband.
"For what it's worth Ruka, I am sorry to have to do this to you." Mei says sounding genuinely sorry.
Ruka doesn't acknowledge Mei's apology, she just continues to stare out of the carriage window.
"It's just you were the only real choice and we desperately need this, though our village has made great strides in removing the bloody mist tagline from a majority of the world, there are still some people who still think of us as the bloody mist. By doing this it will effectively once and for all banish the bloody mist tagline from everyone's mind, Ruka you will be doing Kiri a great service in doing this." Mei says desperately to make Ruka understand why this was happening.
Her efforts work as Ruka finally stops staring out the carriage window, and looks directly at her soon to be former leader.
"I understand Lady Mei, while I'm still not happy about this I will do my duty and strive to create a strong bond with Konoha, regardless of who they have chosen as my husband." Ruka says making Mei relieved.
Mei didn't care that Ruka hated being put into this position, it was to be expected really, and many Shinobi and Kunoichi were more often than not, placed into situations that they didn't like. So long as Ruka did her duty then that's all she cared about.
One of their escorts then pokes his head into the carriage.
"Lady Mei we'll be arriving in Konoha in a couple of minutes." The escort says.
"Thank you." Mei says thanking the escort.
(Scene Break)
Naruto and his friends are standing at the gate of Konoha, waiting for the delegation from Kiri, Kakashi wearing his official robes showing how important this occasion was. Naruto is tense as he awaits his future bride, Kakashi had for the past couple of days apologized profusely for choosing Naruto, but had explained it was the only choice he could make as he couldn't break up any existing couples, this helped calm Naruto down and make him accept the political marriage, though he still wasn't happy with being forced into a political marriage.
"I can see the delegation, they'll be here in a couple minutes." Izumo who is using binoculars says.
"Thank you, Izumo." Kakashi says not taking his eyes from the road.
The next couple of minutes are torture for Naruto, as he awaits his fate. Soon the delegation arrives, as they do Mei looks out the carriage window and is stunned by how many people have come to greet the delegation, she expected the current Hokage and a few Shinobi's along with the chosen husband, but the former Hokage Tsunade was there as well, and a much larger collection of Shinobi's than she expected, among whom was Naruto Uzumaki the hero of Konoha and the Shinobi world.
"Hello again Lord Kakashi." Mei greets stepping out of the carriage.
"Hello, Lady Mei." Kashi greets politely.
"And hello to you as well Lady Tsunade." Mei greets the former Hokage politely.
"Lady Mei." Tsunade greets trying to sound polite but unable to keep the irritation out of her voice.
Mei is confused by Tsunade irritation but decides not to press it. Ruka then exits the carriage and Naruto for the first time, sees his future bride in the flesh. Naruto wouldn't call her an exotic beauty like Sakura she was really just plain, yet there was something entrancing about her that immediately catches Naruto's attention.
"This here is Ruka our villages chosen Kunoichi for this political marriage, I hope that you and your village treat her with the respect she deserves." Mei says introducing Ruka.
Kakashi then motions to Naruto who walks forward.
"I'm sure you know who this is already, but here is Naruto Uzumaki our villages chosen Shinobi for this political marriage." Kakashi says trying not to grin at the shocked faces from the Kiri delegation.
The rest of the Konoha crowd are also trying not to burst out laughing, at the reaction of the Kiri delegation. Mei though finally understands Tsunade's irritation, since everyone and their cat knows that Tsunade views Naruto like a son, so she probably wasn't happy with Naruto being picked for this political marriage.
(Scene Break)
The rest of the day is a blur for Ruka, the shock that she is now engaged to Naruto Uzumaki doesn't wear of for the whole day, as a result, she barely remembers the ceremony which formally validates the political marriage, and makes her a Konoha Kunoichi, the one thing she does remember was Naruto suggesting that she spends the night with her now former comrades, before they depart the following morning. Ruka was truly grateful for Naruto's thoughtfulness.
(Scene Break)
It's the following day and Ruka's shock, at finding herself engaged to Naruto Uzumaki has worn off slightly, currently, the newly engaged couple are walking through the village, after saying goodbye to the Kiri Shinobi and Naruto promising Mei that he would treat Ruka with respect. As the couple walk there is an uneasy silence between them, neither know how to start a conversation with the other, had they not been forced into a political marriage with each other, they might have had an easier time in getting to know each other, yet the fact that they were engaged to each other, is making them feel awkward around the other.
"There they are." Sakura's loud voice suddenly cuts into the uneasy air between Naruto and Ruka.
Naruto and Ruka turn to where Sakura's voice came from, and see Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Tenten, Temari, Karui, Tamaki, Shizune and Tsunade marching towards them, looking like they are on a mission. Ruka becomes even more nervous as Tsunade and Sakura are looking intently at her.
"Hey what are you guys doing here?" Naruto asks confused.
"We actually came to see Ruka." Tenten answers.
"Me?!" Ruka exclaims surprised.
"Yeah we figured she'd need some girlfriends, so we came to give her a tour of Konoha, while also getting her into our group." Ino says.
"I could've given her a tour." Naruto goes to say, but before he can utter a word Sakura cuts him off.
"No objections? Good." Sakura says.
And then before Naruto could blink, Sakura grabbed Ruka and Body Flickered away along with the other females.
"Weird." Naruto thinks.
"It's best you let them have their way Naruto." Shikamaru says emerging from the shadows.
"Why's that?" Naruto asks turning to face Shikamaru.
"You know how insistent Ino and Sakura can be, besides I think Lady Tsunade and Sakura wishes to have a private chat, with your future bride." Shikamaru says fiddling with a cigarette.
"And why shouldn't I be there?" Naruto asks with a raised eyebrow.
"You being there would only exacerbate the situation, Ruka is highly nervous about being engaged to you, but maybe having a chat with Tsunade and Sakura will help ease her nerves." Shikamaru says lighting up his cigarette.
"How'd you figure that?" Naruto asks.
"Sometimes Naruto, a strong woman is better for easing nerves, than a reassuring friend." Shikamaru says taking a drag of his cigarette.
Naruto thinks for a minute before nodding with Shikamaru's reasoning.
"Now come on, Kiba's throwing you an engagement party." Shikamaru says gesturing for Naruto to follow him.
"Uh I bet it's just an excuse for him to get payback, for all the teasing I gave him when he started dating Tamaki." Naruto says with a groan.
"Probably." Shikamaru says with a smirk.
(Scene Break)
While Naruto and Shikamaru were talking, Ruka is being confronted by an overprotective mother figure in Tsunade, and an overprotective older sister figure in Sakura.
"Before we give you the tour, me and Sakura wanted to have a little chat with you." Tsunade says with a neutral voice.
Ruka audibly gulps at Tsunade's words but stands her ground, Shizune just shakes her head at Tsunade's and Sakura's actions, the poor girl had only just gotten to Konoha and was being placed into a political marriage, surely this could wait a couple of days? Sadly only Hinata agreed with her, the other girls were just enjoying watching Tsunade and Sakura lay the ground rules for Ruka.
Once Sakura and Tsunade were finished picking... uh... laying the ground rules down for Ruka, they then took her on a tour of Konoha, which Ruka actually enjoyed especially the Konoha hot springs and spa.
(Scene Break)
Sakura decided to drop Ruka of at Naruto's home, which was a three bedroom house not the apartment he lived in before the war, and much to their relief he was home, meaning that Ruka wouldn't need to wait for him to be let in. After bidding Sakura goodbye, Ruka knocks on the door and only needs to wait a second before Naruto opens the door. Wearing an apron?
"Whew, you're in one piece." Naruto says relieved that his worst fears, regarding what Tsunade and Sakura were going to do, didn't happen.
"They only wanted to have a chat, before giving me a tour of Konoha." Ruka says trying and failing not to focus on the apron Naruto's wearing.
"Oh this, I always wear an apron when making food." Naruto says when he notices Ruka's attention was on his apron.
Ruka nods surprised that Naruto knew how to cook, but not questioning it.
"Um, how long will food be?" Ruka asks as she was quite hungry from the day's events.
"Ten minutes." Naruto says walking back to the kitchen, Ruka following him.
Upon entering the kitchen Ruka sees that the meal Naruto is preparing is Curry Rice.
"If you'd like I could prepare something else for you." Naruto says wishing he had waited for her to arrive before starting food.
"No it's fine Curry Rice is one of my favourite dishes." Ruka says sitting at the dining table.
Naruto makes a mental note of this but decides not to ask her about her other favourite foods.
"By the way, I am sorry about not stopping Sakura from taking you away earlier." Naruto apologizes.
"Eh it's alright, I actually had fun especially at the hot springs and spa." Ruka says not bothering to mention the stern lecture she received from Tsunade and Sakura.
"I'm glad." Naruto says not thinking what else to say.
"So which room is our room?" Ruka asks with a slight blush.
This was the wrong time to ask such a question, as Naruto almost drops the pot with the curry in, as he moves it from the stove.
"Pardon?" Naruto asks with a beet red face.
"Well we are engaged, so I figured we'd be sharing a room." Ruka says explaining her question.
"No, no, we've only just really met, and I'd rather not force you into something like that, so you have your own room." Naruto says waving his arms frantically.
This was twice in the space of two days, that Ruka was touched by Naruto's thoughtfulness, in truth she really didn't feel like sharing a room with Naruto just yet, she just asked as she expected that she and Naruto would be sharing a room from the off.
"My rooms the one straight on from the stairs, you can use one of the other two, each room is roughly the same size." Naruto says his face returning to its normal colour.
"Thank you, Naruto." Ruka says getting up and walking over to Naruto.
Ruka then plants a kiss onto Naruto's whiskered cheek, before darting out of the kitchen to prevent her blush from being seen, Naruto stands rigidly in shock, not expecting Ruka to have kissed him on the cheek. He also can't help but touch the spot where Ruka kissed him.
(Scene Break)
A couple of years have passed since Naruto's and Ruka's engagement, once again Naruto's penchant for making people like him, helped him make Ruka feel at ease with their forced engagement. The couple's wedding was a highly attended event, as many important dignitaries from all over the Elemental Nation's wished to be present for the world's saviours wedding.
That was a little over nine months though, currently, the happily married couple are in the Konoha hospital, their newly born son Akio Uzumaki resting in his mother's arms, who is looking down at her son with a teary-eyed expression, the proud father barely restraining his own tears over the birth of his son.
They may not have been happy at being forced into a political marriage, yet Naruto and Ruka can both say they've never been happier.