Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. Life has been busy.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 22
With her knees tucked under her, Hinata sits in the Hygua meeting room dressed in a plain, black kimono. Her somber mood coupled with her attire paints the image of a grieving widow, yet it is far from the truth as her husband is seated only a few feet away from her. His gaze is intrusively harsh and cold, and even with a room full of Hyugas and Leaf council members she is the only one who holds his attention. She bows her head submissively attempting to avoid eye contact with the man she has wronged.
After being expelled from the Uzumaki household and having no one to turn to, she used her meager earnings as a medic to rent a room in rundown motel. Her stay was abruptly shortened; it took her father only two days to learn of the dissolution of her marriage. She was summoned to return to the Hyuga compound and informed by her former attendant, Ko, that she will be granted temporary stay until the clan makes a decision regarding her future.
She quietly accepts her fate, as she knows it's pointless to oppose her father. Aside from her husband, Hiashi is one of the most powerful men in Konoha. She knows that there is very little she can do to change her faith. Especially as the only person with the power to help her is the very person who has rightfully washed his hands clean of her.
She is allowed to move back into her childhood room. Entering the room, she is hit with a rush of nostalgia. She is overwhelmed with the mementos reminding her of the better part of her relationship with the village hero. From plush foxes to photos of their first date, Hiashi and Hanabi has kept them all. The rush of memories is enough to bring tears to her eyes. She allows herself to openly mourn the end of her marriage and the loss of her first love. Her grief is unrestricted, as she vows that this will be the last tears she will shed for Naruto. She has no other choice but to let go of the pain, as well as the hopes and dreams she shared with him. Her destiny is altered and there is no point in looking back or holding on to a love that was never really hers to begin with.
She feels a sharp jab to her side and looks to the left to see Hanabi with alert, widened eyes gesturing toward their father. Her father stares at her sternly, impatiently awaiting a response to question that went unheard and unanswered.
"Answer me, child?" She wants to yell that she is no longer a child he can control and beat into submission. But she remains quiet as years of indoctrination has cemented her place within the clan. She has no power and never will hold any power among her relatives.
"Sorry, father. Can you please repeat yourself?" Trying her best to stave off a wave of nausea, she is barely able to keep up with the current discussions. Her clan members murmur in disapproval at her inattentiveness.
"You are being accused of adultery. Do you refute these claims?"
"I don't." She softly replies, trying her best not to nervously fiddle with her fingers.
"You admit to cheating on the Hokage? Do you realize this can be seen as treason and punished by death."
Before Hinata could answer, Naruto interjects with a frown on his face. "I am not here to punish your daughter for crimes of treason. Konoha has moved past those out-dated practices. Your daughter has requested a divorce and I am here to begin the proceedings."
Hisashi shakes his head. "With all due respect, do you think a divorce is a wise decision? The citizens of Konoha may rebel against a leader who is unable to properly manage his household."
Naruto sighs, annoyed by the blatant insinuation. "As I have said before, I am not bound to archaic laws." Naruto's purpose as a leader was to maintain peace and protect the village, not to uphold rituals that had no place in the open and free society he envisioned. "Your daughter has expressed on several occasions that she no longer wants to be bound to me. I will not hold her hostage."
Hiashi countered "My daughter is weak-willed. I blame it on the lack of a maternal figure to guide her. But she knows that divorce is unspoken of in the Hyuga community. Hinata will return to her senses and to her rightful place by your side." The Hyuga clan spoke with finality, while his clan members nodded in approval. No one took notice of the anguish on the estranged couple's face.
Sensing his client's irritation, a frail middle-aged man with grey hair and spectacles introduces himself. "Hyuga-sama, my name is Hitoki Sato and I am here to represent the Hokage. I understand this is a family affair but to keep things on track, I think it's best to understand that my client has no intentions of reconciliation as his estranged spouse is with child. A child not fathered by my client."
Hinata wishes the ground could swallow her up as her elders gasp in mortification. She is not sure if her ears are playing tricks on her, but she believes she heard a female elder call her a burdensome whore.
"Hinata Hyuga, is this true?" Hiashi's somber voice quiets the background chatter.All attention is now directed at her.
"Yes, father." Hinata visibly flinches when her father slams his teacup down. Her heart aches at the look of disappointment and disapproval on his face.
Hiashi ignores the attorney and speaks directly to his son-in-law. "Naruto, her mistake is grievous but it CAN be undone."
Naruto's attention is back on Hinata and watches as her eyes widen in horror. For a brief second, he pities her but feelings of betrayal and hurt overpowers it.
"No!" She demurely but firmly states. "This cannot be undone, father."
A female member of the Hyuga clan chimes in to ask "Do you realize the shame this will cause our clan? Who is the father of this child? Will he not come forth to take responsibility for his reckless behaviour?" Naruto's fists tighten at this question. He is almost certain of the identity of the culprit, but he still wants her to admit it. However, today is not the day for revelation.
Hinata doesn't answer, but continues to look at her father in defiance. To Naruto she looks like a doe attempting to protect her fawn from a stalking wolf.
Annoyed the Hyuga head replies "In earlier times, I may have had the power to convince you otherwise. But I am sure our peace-loving Hokage would not appreciate taking away your right to choose. Hinata, you are entitled to your decision but they will come with consequences. This matter is far from over." For a moment Hinata believes she sees a hint of relief on Hiashi's cold features. But then decides she must be mistaken, Hyuga Hiashi would always place the clan before the wellbeing of a bastard child. Even if it was the only grandchild he may ever know.
Hinata knows and accepts that the worst is yet to come.
The proceedings carry on with several decisions made upon her behalf. To avoid shame to both her clan and soon to be ex-husband, she is to be sent on a 'mission' where she will deliver the child in secret. The future of the child will be determined by her clan. All mentions of the child will be omitted from the public registry. Finally, Hiashi agrees (without consulting with daughter) that Hinata will not to be entitled to any of Naruto's earnings nor his home. She is to leave his home with nothing but her Hyuga name. Hiashi hopes that this will offer compensation for the shame his daughter has wrought.
Hinata along with her family members and Naruto's entourage are dismissed, leaving Naruto and Hiashi to have one last dinner as relatives bonded by marriage.
Hinata hurries back to her room, ignoring the looks of condemnation sent her way. Untying her obi and discarding the black Kimono on the bedroom floor. She barely has enough time to make it to the bathroom before her lunch is expelled. After the wave of nausea has passed, she returns to lay on the bed.
Falling into a light sleep, she doesn't hear a light knock and the opening and closing of the shoji door. It's only until the bed depresses under pressure that she realises another person has entered the room.
Looking up, she is startled to find Naruto's gaze on her body. His ruddy complexion is a telltale sign that he is intoxicated. He caresses her face and his touch moves to her collarbone.
Her body becomes immobile. She wants to push him off but is concerned of rejecting him further. He lifts her up onto his laps but she quickly moves her face away as he tries to kiss her lips.
A similar scenario has played out at least a dozen times before they were married.
Often when Naruto would visit his future father-in-law for dinner, he would try to impress him by drinking much more than his inexperienced body could tolerate. At the end of the night, he would eventually stumble into his future bride's room. The Hyuga's allowed the deviation from their enforced social norms as the offender was soon to be the leader of their village.
Knowing that her father was well aware of this habit; Hinata is certain that her father may have encouraged his son-in-law's inebriation in a desperate attempt to preserve their marriage.
Naruto opens her robe exposing bare skin. His eyes are half lidded and his body is acting on instinct. He knows the body in front of him like he knows the back of his hand. His drunken mind is yet to accept that he no longer has freedom to explore it as he once did a short time ago.
He is about to unclasp her bra when she finally whimpers out for him to stop. Reality kicks in; she no longer wants him. Hasn't wanted him for a long time. Instead, she sought out another to fulfill her desires.
Looking at her distraught eyes, he is brought back to his sense. Quickly pushing off of her, he moves to the other side of the room. He looks away as she re-ties her robe shielding her modesty.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata. I didn't mean to..." His drunken lust slowly evaporating.
Shaking her head, she tries to comfort him saying it's okay and she understands. He isn't sure if she is trying to convince him or herself. He is ashamed that his actions show that he still desires her. He wishes that her disloyalty eradicated the love he still holds for her.
He removes the gold band on his ring finger. Looking at it one final time, he places it on the nightstand and flickers out before she can return the only heirloom of his mother's.
Hinata places it into her jewelry box forcing herself to keep the grief at bay.
Their divorce is finalized within a week. Usually divorces in Konoha are granted after a mandatory six months separation. But exceptions are granted for people of power and high status. Information is 'leaked' to the public that the Hokage and ex-heiress have agreed to an amicable divorce as they have grown apart. The Konoha's PR team has kept their promise and no mentions of infidelity and pregnancy are mentioned.
Unable to focus on work as the press surrounds the Hokage office, Naruto hides out in the Konoha Hills hotel. On the third day of a drinking bender, Naruto wakes up next to a tuft of tangled crimson hair. He gazes down at the svelte honey kissed body attached to it. His sleeping companion feels him stir and turns around to face him.
Still somewhat intoxicated, he pulls her in closer running his hands over her bronze hardened nipples. Moaning she quickly returns his touch, eventually pushing him onto his back. She is about to straddle him, but he halts her movement to fetch a stack of condoms atop the nightstand. Even in a drunken state, he is not about to make a life, altering mistake.
He spends the next few days finishing off the stack of condoms and drinking himself into to a stupor. On day five, he awakes to banging on his door. He freezes, thinking the press has finally caught him. But is somewhat relieved when he hears a familiar voice yelling to open up.
"Sakura!" Naruto timidly opens the hotel door halfway to peek out at the exasperated female. Ignoring his half-dressed state she pushes past him entering the messy hotel room. With a disgusted look on her face she surveys the room, eyes landing on the empty vodka bottles and used condoms.
"Is someone here with you?"
In response, Kikyo emerges from the shower with only a tiny towel wrapped across her body.
Sakura's mouth drops open, staring at the half naked woman.
Kikyo playfully laughs. "I think your pink-haired friend may want to join us, Naruto-kun. She can't keep her eyes off of me."
Sakura angrily dismisses the female by turning her heated gaze toward her ex-teammate. "You have been shacked up with this conniving gold-digger? I thought you were smarter than that." Sakura punches him in the chest shoving him into the wall, where it is sure to leave a small indentation.Naruto winces; his head is now not the only thing that hurts.
"Your friends and colleagues have been going crazy trying to find you! I can't believe you, Naruto! Get dressed. Shikamaru is waiting for you downstairs. Make sure she stays put. The press is outside, they will have a field day if they know you've been shacked up with a Kumo whore."
Kikyo lunges at Sakura, but Naruto is quick enough to hold her back and motions for Sakura to leave before a fight ensues. With a chuckle and a cocky grin, Sakura slams the door behind her.
"You could have at least defended me." Kikyo solemnly states as she dejectedly plays with the edges of the towel covering her frame.
"She's just angry and doesn't mean it." His words do little to appease her, but it doesn't bother him as much as it should. He is not attached to this female next to him. He has become jaded and wonders if he will ever be able to trust again.
After he has cleaned up and in a more presentable state, she asks him if they can see each other again when things calm down. As gently as he could, he explains to her that he has enjoyed their time together but is unable to pursue a meaningful relationship.
She scoffs, telling him she can offer him much more than the frumpy housewife ever did. He is resolute that now is not the best time as he has to work through his emotional baggage. He kisses her on the forehead, then quickly makes his way down to face the clamouring paparazzi. He tells himself he is an asshole for using one of his subordinates, all the while wishing it was Hinata he woke up next to.
Warm green eyes meet his blue saddened gaze in the hotel lobby. She squeezes his arm, silently reassuring him that he will overcome this battle and she will always be by his side.
TBC
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