To Fall into the River's Flow
She was a disposable yet necessary piece to his plan. He would free her from their arranged marriage when the right time came. At least that had been the plan. With the passage of time, Itachi finds himself less and less willing to let her go.
A/N: I know it's a cliche idea, but I still wanted to try.
Warning: I do not read comments because I've been hurt before, and it might make me stop writing for a long time as it did that time, so I'm sorry if there's something you're dying to say. I won't say that I'll never read comments ever again since I don't know the future, so you're more than welcome to leave one if you like. Maybe I'll reply back one day. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Uchiha Itachi needed Hyūga Hinata. Apparently.
With the successful use of Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, the Uchiha coup was temporarily put to a stop. Though Danzo had failed in his attempt to stop their efforts, his rage against Shisui's 'foolish' use of his unique and powerful doujutsu, led to the Root's leader to try to steal that power, and take the Anbu's life.
Barely getting away with one eye intact, Itachi found Shisui before his untimely death. Gifted his dying friend's remaining eye and awakening his own Mangekyo Sharingan, the burden of the mission was now heavy upon Itachi's lone shoulders.
Having discussed the aftermath of their plans with the Hokage, it was now Sarutobi Hiruzen's turn to present the solution he'd thought of.
Konoha's representative believed a marriage between Konoha's most powerful clans would be a great stepping stone. Itachi wasn't quite convinced.
"You believe a marriage between the Hyūga heiress and myself to somehow alleviate the distrust rooted in the heart of the Uchiha?" If he twitched a little in making the statement, the Hokage didn't comment.
"It is a start. A bond of marriage is strong. A clan is a group of families tied by blood. If this is successful, the Uchiha will have deeper roots within Konoha, and an ally in the Hyūga. Your father must present another direction for his clan to focus on. I believe this will be amenable."
An alliance with the Hyūga was indeed an attractive offer. There was a sort of rivalry between the two clans as they fought for the title of being the strongest. The subject of the Hyūga clan came up on many occasions in their secret meetings; If there was a way to get past the petty infighting, it would do a lot to help their predicament. If only they could.
There were the obvious differences in appearances, namely the doujutsu, and each clan's defining color, but if there was one thing both clans had in commonality, it was pride. As an Uchiha himself, he knew this all too well. Surely as overseer of Konoha the Hokage would know such an obvious trait. "This is the Hyūga we are talking about. An unmarked member of their main house. Their own heiress. And yet you believe they would be so willing?"
"Yes. They would be willing." He sounded sure of himself, but his smile was taut.
Since the Hokage did not elaborate, Itachi did not push. He trusted the elderly man before him, and if things went through, he would see for himself who the heiress was. But he still had some things left to confirm. "There is also the imbalance of power." It was most definitely what the Uchiha clan sought the most. By the Hokage's tone, Itachi saw the underlying message the Hyūga heiress would marry into his clan and take on their name. An alliance between two of the strongest clans and the prospect of a child born to parents with the strongest doujutsus...it was too good to be true. Even if the Uchiha and Hyūga agreed, Itachi imagined there would be much opposition from the other clans.
As if he'd known what Itachi was going to say to him, he said with confidence, "Under the right leadership, even the imbalance of power can be accepted."
Hiruzen saw the capabilities and good within the young shinobi. He was ever grateful such a child was born to the Uchiha. Though Itachi had no desire to take on his mantle as Hokage, he as the current leader saw great potential in him. His words may not have conveyed what he was truly thinking, but he hoped the young Anbu might grow into considering the possibility. The promising thoughts of the future gave Hiruzen a moment of peace before he looked up to see the boy thinking through all the different scenarios in his mind. "You are already thinking of ways to break off the marriage."
Itachi's coal eyes widened in surprise at the observation. Indeed, the idea of marriage was not one he was looking forward to. It was not that he was unwilling. He knew as heir he would be set to be married whether by arrangement or his own will, and he had quickly accepted that aspect. Itachi, however, did not think a child his little brother's age would be so accepting. No, she probably did not even understand what marriage was. He would not force a child to commit to his ideals. If he was to be married it was to be a union between two willing parties. The unexplained circumstances of Hyūga Hinata certainly didn't help.
"Whether you go through with it or not, is not important right now. What's important, is getting this going so we may build up what has been lost. I will play mediator, as is my job, and we will work out the finer details as we go." The Hokage seemed to have made up his mind. He just needed to know he had Itachi's confidence as well.
"I understand." Itachi slightly bowed his head in acceptance. He trusted the Hokage's judgement.
Hiruzen's earnest countenance fell to break into his knowing smile. "I would be happy either way. I think you will see that you need her as much as she needs you."
Again, he did not elaborate, and again, Itachi did not ask.
"You are dismissed."
As he was about to phase out of the room the Hokage's voice stopped him.
"Itachi. In regards to the issue of Danzo...if you would allow me to take care of it."
A verbal response was not given, but an agreement was made as Itachi flickered away.
Though news of the now disbanded Root was made known to Itachi, he kept Danzo in the back of his mind. He had a gut feeling that the Root was still alive, and if tutelage under Kakashi taught him anything, one of the most important lessons was believing in your 'kan'. If even the slightest evidence of their existence was made known to him, he would eradicate them himself. After all, according to Danzo's riddle, he must get rid of the one sickly man to save the rest.
As for his clan, Itachi had been informed by Izumi that with his father's decision to no longer go through with the coup, though there was much opposition from a fair share, it had also brought forth a few others within the council who had had doubts of going through with it.
A clear rift was created within the Uchiha.
The apparent suicide of Shisui helped aid in gaining more support for those who opposed the coup with his letter of plea against the bloodshed. The few remaining elders of Uchiha who wished to rebel against Fugaku's sudden change had their suspicions in regards to Itachi's involvement, but a growing fear kept them at bay.
As discussion of the coup died, the new direction towards an arranged marriage spread between the ears and mouth of the clan. Though some were disgruntled, the majority saw the opportunity before them. It also helped that they were first approached by the Hokage who did little to hide the fact that the Hyūga clan initiated this proposal. Although they had their suspicions, it would be rude to not accept when the Hyūga were practically begging them. At least in their minds.
Meanwhile, Itachi silently praised the Hokage's skills in mediation. He watched the meeting go on with an incomprehensible expression as his past burdens slowly lifted. Compared to the weight of the coup, he would take on marriage any time of day.
He only hoped his little bride would be as willing.
Itachi would not officially meet his fiancé until his 12th birthday.
A small celebration was held for the occasion on clan grounds. The only exception to the family gathering was the head of the Hyūga, his security, and the little heiress. Against his wishes, Itachi's recent promotion to Anbu Captain was to be announced as well. But that thought was on the bottom of his list of concerns.
His greatest objective that day was getting to know the heiress of the Hyūga clan.
Knowing the Hyūga to be a stoic, callous clan, he'd expected as such. A tiny soldier-like child. At the least an attempt to seem like one.
Hyūga Hinata was quite the opposite.
Conflicted between completely hiding herself behind her father and standing firm as she'd been taught, the small girl shook at all the pitch-black scheming eyes upon her. A small fragile child in the presence of hungry wolves.
The desire, a strong need to protect took light within Itachi.
After a brief time of introductions was made and each person had settled to sit in discussion, Itachi made his move. "If Hiashi-sama would allow it, I would like to show Hinata-san our home grounds." A calculating gaze met his own. It might have come off as an insult if the Hyūga clan head did not know who Itachi was, but even if he didn't, he had hoped her father understood he was offering Hinata some actual room to breathe. Though his father and his clan members seemed discontent with him leaving as they'd been meaning to boast about their heir's many achievements, it was not completely necessary he be there so they waited for Hiashi's response.
"I will allow it." Turning his attention upon his child, Hiashi called her name. "Hinata."
"Ha...hai!" Meeting her father's gaze and slowly rising in an attempt not to stumble, Hinata followed her husband-to-be.
A few feet away two guards from each clan followed their respective heir and heiress. Itachi slowed as he saw the child slowly calm down with the increasing distance from the crowd, and when there was a hint of a smile upon her face, he came to a stop.
They were in the garden of the Uchiha estate. Was it ironic or romantic that it was the one place he too would frequent when in need of solace? Maybe, maybe not. He would have let out a laugh if he did not think it would startle the little girl.
Hinata's eyes shined in wonder at the floral display before her, seemingly forgetting her company. Her complete ease and happiness put a smile on Itachi's face as he watched her feet take her closer to the white roses closest to her.
A bombardment of things he had not considered began to rise in his eternally computing mind. He now understood why she'd been chosen to be given into the Uchiha clan. Why the Hokage was so confident in his proposition.
She was clearly Hyūga, but not. All the features, but none of the inner traits. Labeled as weak, timid, she was no leader. Itachi suspected another child had been born, one they believed would be more fitting of the title of heiress or heir. If time changed her to form her into the image, they desired it was a plus but it was not a popular opinion. Still useful as the unmarked child of the current leader, she was being offered so the Hyūga could gain something out of her status.
It was obvious he had not been the only one to come to the same conclusion. His family would see, but unlike how he saw it, the Uchiha council would simply see it as an opportunity. After all they too had much to gain in using her as a puppet. An obedient one at that.
Hinata may not know it now, but she needed him as much as he needed her. For completely different reasons, but something he could work with. Under the guise of marriage, he would keep her close and protect her to the best of his ability. And when the time was right, he would let her go to choose her own fate.
Signaling the guards to give them some privacy, Itachi did not speak until they stepped back after a moment of hesitation. "Hinata-san."
Lost in staring at assortment of perennials before her, Hinata was startled out of her reverie. She couldn't help squeak out her reply. "Ha..hai!"
Itachi saw her trembling had come back. Though not as bad as when they had first met, he knew she still feared him. Perhaps she'd heard rumors or been told by her clan. Then again, it could be his unchanging inscrutable face. Maybe a bit of familiarity would break the ice. "When we are alone, may I simply call your name?"
Having lost confidence in her shaking voice, Hinata chose to nod her head.
"Hinata, I do not know what your family has told you about me or about this arrangement..." He could not divulge his true intentions; there were too many witnesses, too many enemies in the vicinity. When things had finally settled, when he could finally enjoy some peace...but now was not the time. He just hoped his sincerity would be delivered. "...but I promise you, I will protect you."
The direction of Itachi's words steered far from what she had been expecting, and it seemed to do the trick in bringing down some of her walls. Hinata looked at her...fiancé...her mind still could not wrap around what this word meant. The weight of her duties as heiress lie heavy upon her shoulders, but somehow...somehow his promise took a great burden off of her.
When she'd been told she was promised to marriage to the Uchiha heir, Hinata had simply sat and listened. It was what was required of her, she could ask no questions, make no move, give no objection. Just sit and listen in silent agreement to her scripted life. She didn't understand. Her family had fussed about as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
Her mother told her that she too had been arranged to marry her father, and though she'd been worried and afraid in the beginning, she came to slowly care and love Hiashi with the passage of time. Would her future husband be someone like her father? Hinata loved her father, but she hoped whoever it was, he was more like the blonde-haired boy that had saved her on her first day at the academy.
That wish was quickly blown to smithereens.
No bright golden locks. No sky-blue orbs.
Just black. Midnight black everywhere.
Hinata never imagined there would exist someone scarier than her father, but there he was.
Uchiha Itachi.
But again, she was proven wrong. Her mother had told her not to judge at face value. As always, Okaa-san's words shone through.
Hinata believed his vow. This person whom she'd just met. The one who would be of great importance to her life.
No longer did she shake, but with eyes filled with wonder and a shine of what looked to be determination, Hinata said, "Watashi {I} ...I will also do my best to protect you, I...Itachi-san." A bit of her confidence left her as she called out his name for the first time.
Itachi had not expected any reactions from her. A simple yes or a nod at the least. He was completely caught off guard. A chuckle escaped him, as did a smile.
When was the last time he'd smiled or laughed?
In response Hinata's face bloomed red, and she turned her eyes to stare at her feet as she poked her fingers in embarrassment.
Itachi never imagined anyone could ever defeat Sasuke in disarming him, but this living example of innocence was doing a number on him.
Yes...he would protect her.
From the darkness, he would protect this still living light.
A/N: And there we have it, chapter one. Or a one-shot. For now.
I had a pretty solid beginning and a bunch of scenes I want to see, but I still don't have a proper ending or a proper outline. I'm taking a lot of chances since I feel this will become long if I commit to it, but I'm hoping I can pull through. It's been going well with my other fics since I've been doing my best to actually finish everything (pat on the back).
This project will be slow going, but I hope posting it will motivate me and get my brain working to get to where I want to.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed.