WHAT THE HEART WANTS
King Hiashi Hyuuga of the Land of Fire is proud to announce the engagement of his eldest daughter, Princess Hinata to the honorable Prince Toneri Otsutsuki of the Moon Kingdom. (It's a shame her heart belongs to someone else).
NaruHina. Two-Shot. Arranged Marriage / Royalty AU.
A/N: hi friends! I'm back with another new story for NaruHina AU Week! Day 5 is arranged marriage and Day 6 is royalty, so I decided to combine them into a two-shot! I hope you enjoy!
At the conclusion of the Fourth Great War, Naruto was widely praised for his bravery and accomplishments in battle. Soon after the treaties were signed, he was knighted by the King himself and invited to join the Royal Guard that dutifully protected each member of the royal family.
It was a distinct honor and one that would surely prime him for leadership in the future.
After completing the training required of the Royal Guard, Naruto was tasked to watch over the exquisite Princess Hinata when they were both just seventeen. He remembered what an adjustment it had been for him to speak and act so formally and the Princess's boundless patience as he learned.
Naruto had imagined he would only stay in the Royal Guard for a short while and get back out to where the action was as soon as he could, but it had already been two years since then.
Each time the opportunity arose to transfer to a new post, it just didn't seem as appealing as staying where he was at.
Some might assume it was the luxury of the Royal Guard that kept him there; the accommodations and the meals were leagues nicer than that of active duty knights. Others might think his time in the castle made him grow soft, but Naruto trained for hours before dawn in order to keep his body strong and his combat instincts sharp.
No, it wasn't so much the perks of the Royal Guard that kept him at his post, but rather one individual that seemed to so effortlessly capture his heart.
Princess Hinata.
Naruto knew it was foolish, and yet he let himself fall more in love with her every day.
But how could he not?
As a part of his role within the Royal Guard, he accompanied her during most everything that she did; which required him to watch as she gracefully glided around the castle, to listen to her soft, angelic laughter, to bear witness to her elegant beauty day in and day out.
It was as sweet as it was torturous. Just knowing she was so close, and yet, he could never have her. His entire day spent guarding her was an exercise in self-restraint.
Her schedule consisted mostly of her enjoying her many hobbies, such as baking with the castle's pastry chefs and cultivating her many talents in music and writing.
He would stand at the door of Hinata's study, a rather large room with walls lined in bookshelves, furnished with a cherry wood desk and couch with floral patterned cushions. The east wall was made almost entirely of tall windows and a glass door that led to her private balcony that overlooked the castle's grand gardens.
There was so much beauty to admire in that single room, from the delicate tiles on the floor to the intricately painted ceiling, and yet Naruto spent the entire day watching her thoughtful expressions shift as she sat at her desk writing poetry. He was fascinated by the way she would close her eyes as she played the piano, losing herself in the harmonies that filled the room.
But maybe his most favorite of her daily activities was when she decided to take a walk. Hinata would ask for his arm and she would place her gentle hand on his bicep as they leisurely strolled through the vast gardens.
Naruto didn't care much for flowers before he joined the Royal Guard, but with the way Hinata pointed out the various flora and described them to him with so much enthusiasm, he felt he could listen to her for hours on end.
Sometimes they would pluck a few flowers that the Princess would later press between the pages of a thick book, leaving them there until they were dry and flat. The way she smiled as she showed him her creations always made Naruto's heart so full.
On their walks through the gardens, when Hinata wasn't educating him on the many flowers that adorned the landscape, they would just talk about anything and everything.
She would ask him about his experiences in the war and his childhood. When she first learned that he had been an orphan and the many hardships he had endured in his youth, Hinata had vowed to him that when she was queen she would ensure no child in Fire Country would have to suffer as he had.
Her care for the well-being of others and her genuine interest in his lived experiences touched him greatly.
On the surface, Hinata was the perfect princess. Her unique pearlescent eyes, her beautifully tailored dresses, her silky hair, and porcelain skin.
But underneath her unmatched beauty, she was also incredibly interesting and thoughtful. So lady-like and proper, but every so often she made a joke that was quite dark and humorous.
Hinata was so much more complex than others gave her credit for. She cared about those around her and loved creative expression. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of this world and yet seemed to not recognize the way all eyes gravitated to her when she entered a room.
But it was those whose eyes landed on Princess Hinata and saw nothing more than her external beauty that Naruto loathed.
Those like her new fiancé, Prince Toneri of the Moon Kingdom.
Naruto had been blindsided and completely heartbroken at the news of her engagement. He had heard murmurings around the castle of the King arranging a marriage for the Princess, but he never imagined it would happen so soon.
Prince Toneri arrived in Fire Country earlier in the week to meet the royal family and discuss the arrangements for their wedding and the union of the two kingdoms.
Naruto knew it would be uncomfortable for him, considering the deep feelings he harbored for Princess Hinata. But he never expected for his chest to ache so greatly while he was forced to stand there silently, dutifully, while the love of his life was courted by another man.
Another man who clearly did not grasp the depth of her charms, who didn't care for her thoughts, who didn't listen to her soft remarks. Toneri just wanted a prize, a beauty to behold and not to be heard.
And it tore his fucking heart out to watch Hinata play that role. To watch as she forced her lips into a practiced smile, one that only held a fraction of the luminescent beauty of her genuine one.
When she was around Toneri, Hinata would repress herself. Just sitting beside that stupid prince, silently nodding at everything he said and never sharing the many thoughts Naruto knew she had.
It was just absolutely maddening for him to witness.
Naruto let out a sigh of relief as he flopped onto his bed, thankful another excruciating day of Prince Toneri's visit was over.
But as he laid there, he was suddenly filled with a new wave of dread, realizing he will soon be counting down the days until Princess Hinata leaves for Moon Kingdom as well.
Naruto shoved his face into his pillow, willing himself not to scream. His feelings had been so overwhelming since the news of Hinata's engagement that he was emotionally exhausted.
His ears perked up when he heard the rumblings of his fellow guards. Blue eyes glanced in their direction and he caught the tail end of their conversation.
"Prince Toneri is a real prick!" one grumbled, but his companions were quick to hush him, despite that fact that no one in the Royal Guards' barracks would dare report him. There was a code of silence among the men.
Naruto was just relieved someone else shared the sentiment. That he wasn't the only one who recognized Princess Hinata was too good for him.
"Seriously, though," another hummed. "Why couldn't the Princess marry someone better, like Prince Gaara of the Sand?"
"Yeah, Moon Kingdom doesn't even have that valuable of exports."
"After the war, our relationship with the Sand was already solidified. Moon Kingdom has remained relatively isolated over the years despite their significant military power, and it would be a shame for peace to be ruined by the Moon deciding they are sick of us," an older guardsman explained. "The King clearly has thought this through to ensure we are allied with all the strongest nations."
An irritated frown dragged down the corner of Naruto's lips. It was like no one in this whole goddamn castle cared to consider Hinata's preference in her husband. She was just expected to act as a bargaining chip in some trade deal for her kingdom, regardless of her personal feelings.
As the sun rose on a crisp spring morning, Naruto was out on the training grounds on the side of the castle, attempting to rid himself of the frustrated and angry feelings weighing in his chest. Despite the repeated, brutal katas he put himself through, he couldn't shake himself from this pitiful mood.
Naruto stood in the shower, allowing the steaming water to pelt his tired muscles as he tried to convince himself he could get through this heartache.
But with the pain that ached in his chest, it was hard to believe his own affirmations.
It was so difficult watching Hinata greet him with a beaming smile before he escorted her to the dining room, only to watch that smile weaken as she took her seat beside Prince Toneri.
Internally Naruto cursed, begging the gods to stop torturing him when the King suggested that the Princess give Toneri a tour of the castle's gardens after they finished their breakfast.
Naruto could feel the jealous knot twisting in his gut as Hinata placed her hand on Toneri's bicep and they strolled through the vast gardens. If that was him, instead of that arrogant Moon Prince, he knew her smile would not look so forced.
But as she had for the last week, Princess Hinata silently smiled and nodded as Toneri continued to boast about himself and his own kingdom. "These gardens are quite lovely, but I assure you the gardens at my palace are even more grand."
"Wow, really?" she cooed.
"Of course, Princess. It is full of all the best blooms Moon Kingdom has to offer, but if you'd like we can also plant some of the native Fire Country flowers to celebrate our union," Prince Toneri said, and for the first time Hinata's pale eyes lit up with genuine enthusiasm.
"Oh, I would very much like that, Prince Toneri," she nodded with a soft smile. "I actually love gardening and would be proud to grow a patch of native Fire Country flowers."
His face suddenly fell. "Oh no, no, no. You misunderstood. Certainly, you can select the flowers of your choosing, but it would be wholly inappropriate for a woman of your status to be tending to the garden. I assure you our many capable gardeners will take care of that for you."
Naruto's teeth clenched as he watched Hinata try to mask her disappointment. He could hardly believe that her future husband didn't even care to entertain her desire to garden. Toneri dismissed the one thing that had actually excited Hinata in days, and he didn't even seem to notice how that hurt her heart.
"I understand," she whispered. "Shall we continue?"
Toneri and his entourage retired early that evening in preparation for their departure the following morning. He had some business to attend to in Moon Kingdom and a wedding to prepare for.
But even after he was gone, Hinata's melancholy remained.
Naruto quietly stood guard at the door of her study's balcony as the Princess leaned against the railing and stared up at the night sky. He was mesmerized by the way the full moon cast her beautiful features in a soft, pale glow.
He desperately wished to know the thoughts swirling behind those opal eyes.
Maybe she would confide in him if he shared the thoughts that had been plaguing his own mind.
As Hinata exhaled another defeated sigh, Naruto found the strength to talk. "May I speak candidly, m'lady?"
Hinata turned to face him, a soft smile curved up the corner of her lips, as if just now remembering her steadfast companion had been there the whole time. "Of course."
He almost lost his nerve the moment he was caught in her dazzling lavender gaze. And instead of saying the polite question he practiced in his mind, he blurted, "Why are you acting like such a fool?"
Hinata blinked at him in shock. "I beg your pardon?!"
Naruto's nervous heart was pounding in his chest, he didn't mean to insult her, but he couldn't control himself as the frustrated feelings that festered in his mind all week began pouring out.
"You think I don't see you, the way you have to hold yourself back when you're with him. The way you just nod and agree with every little thing he says, even though I know, I know, you feel differently. You just stand there and let him dismiss you and make you small and — " Naruto cut off his rant when Hinata held up her hand.
"It's the duty of a princess to give herself fully to her kingdom," she reminded him as her lips pressed into a hard line. "I will happily play the role of Prince Toneri's perfect bride if that is what my kingdom requires of me."
Naruto found himself stepping forward, closing the small distance between them. His brow furrowed as he observed the strain behind her expression.
"Why do you have to be so selfless all the time?" Naruto quietly pleaded. "What about what you want, huh? Is this really enough for you? A life where your opinion and your thoughts don't matter?"
"A princess does not have the luxury of being selfish," Hinata replied, trying to keep her composure even as hot tears begin to pool in her opal eyes.
"Fine, if you can't think about yourself, then what about…" His voice cracked as he tried desperately to fight back his emotions. "...what about me? What will I do when you're gone?!"
Hinata averted her gaze to the floor and swallowed the thick lump in her throat. "You've served this family faithfully for years, I'm sure my father will assign you a new post worthy of your experience."
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Naruto grimaced, the distance in her words pained him. But despite the ache in his chest, he boldly reached toward her, allowing his rough hand to cradle her cheek.
She exhaled a soft sigh as she leaned into his touch. He dared to inch closer until his forehead rested against hers.
"Tell me you don't feel this thing between us. Tell me I'm just your guard," Naruto whispered.
Her hands found purchase against his chest, and for a moment he feared she would push him away, but instead, Hinata tightly gripped his shirt in her small fists.
"Naruto…" she breathed.
The sound of his name so desperately on her lips seemed to demolish the dam that was his self-control, and suddenly his mind was flooded with all the feelings and desires he tried so hard to repress.
His lips crashed against hers without another thought. He kissed her again and again, because once would never be enough.
The way she so quickly reciprocated his affection made his heart flutter and allowed him to believe (even for just a moment) that his feelings weren't so one-sided after all.
And after that realization, he couldn't stop. He couldn't resist the feeling of her soft lips or the taste of her sweet kisses.
It was everything he imagined and more.
Naruto attempted to pour all of his love for her into each kiss, desperately hoping she could understand the depth of his feelings.
His fingers dove into her silky, midnight blue tresses, tilting her head back to deepen their passionate kiss. Naruto relished in the feeling of her softly moaning against his lips. His curious tongue dipped into her mouth, eager to steal a taste.
His pulse began to race as their kisses grew in intensity, the force making Hinata take a few steps back until she was pressed against a pillar. The contrast of the cool stone against her back and Naruto's overwhelming warmth made her mind grow hazy.
Hinata could feel the moisture pooling between her legs as his hand slid over her round bottom, groping her flesh and pulling her hips flush against his own.
Her heart was pounding against her chest, her tight grip on his shirt the only thing anchoring her. Her brain was foggy and completely awash with such deep and unfamiliar desire.
An inexplicable heat boiled under her skin, urging her to rip her clothes off just to feel his naked skin against her own. Wanton little noises spilled from her lips as her body begged for more of him.
Seemingly of their own volition, her hips rocked against his, desperate to relieve the tension building inside her core. The deep, lusty growl that rumbled in his chest sent a shiver down her spine, and yet her body was encouraged by the sound, growing even more aroused by his approval.
"Do you think he'll ever kiss you like this?" Naruto whispered breathlessly against her lips. "Do you think he'll ever love you as much as I do?"
His lips ventured down her neck, kissing and sucking at her racing pulse. Her legs were trembling, but Naruto's firm weight pinned her against the stone pillar keeping her upright.
"Naruto~" she exhaled a soft moan, as his lips lavished the smooth column of her neck with hot, wet kisses. It felt so sinfully good, and yet the mention of Toneri made Hinata remember just how wrong this was. "Please...Stop."
His hands and lips immediately stilled their assault, frozen for a few silent moments before Naruto slowly extracted himself from her body.
He was so terribly embarrassed by himself when he pulled away, and yet his salacious thoughts continued as blue eyes observed her flushed cheeks, her hazy half-lidded eyes, and her swollen lips panting out shallow breaths.
"Please excuse me," he mumbled, before hastily running away.
A/N: eek! I can't wait to hear what you guys think! I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions in the comments!
part two will be coming out tomorrow!