Thanks for the kind words of support, it makes me want to continue writing this story. The troll himself doesn't bother me, but what gets to me is that doesn't protect its users. I love this site for the great stories it offers, but threats and derogatory speech should never be tolerated. I started cross posting this story on AO3 to test the environment out in that community, and lo and behold the troll followed me there! But at least their moderators are very familiar with him, and they actually take measures to stop him where they can.
Anyways, I shouldn't even speak about such a negative individual. I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's short and not extremely exciting but we get to see what Hinata is dealing with.
Chapter 23
It has been a little over a month since Hinata moved back to the Hyuga compound. Since then, she has only interacted with her father once; at the tense Hyuga-Uzumaki clan meeting.
On a warm Friday evening, sitting alone in her room she receives word from Ko that her father has requested her presence.
Nervously she prepares herself for the meeting. She knows that today is the day in which her fate will be revealed. She is not afraid for her own well-being but for that of the life growing within her.
A billowy cotton dress is replaced by a dark grey Yukuta. She brings a sleeve of the fabric to her nose; it smells of camphor balls with a slight hint of lavender. The scent is oddly soothing but the evocation has an opposite effect. The scent brings back memories of an eighteen-year-old Hinata meeting with her clan to discuss her upcoming omiai. She remembers hopelessly accepting a black binder with images and biographies of nearly fiftty prospective suitors. Thankfully she was able to delay the arranged meetings by busying herself with missions and conspicuously grieving the loss of her dear-cousin. Under normal circumstances, an engagement would have proceeded as planned but Hiashi's heart was softened and his pride heightened by Hinata's exemplary performance in the war. So he allowed her to make excuses, while secretly hoping that she would win the blonde hero's affections.
Now, however, her new unplanned circumstances provide no buffer to Hiashi's yet to be disclosed decree.
Even though she knows each and every turn in the Hyuga manor, Ko guides Hinata to Hiashi's office. While Hinata thinks Ko's presence is unnecessary, Hanabi disagrees. Hanabi has witnessed the frequent fainting spells brought on by Hinata's pregnancy and believes these simple proactive measures are needed to secure the health of her developing relative.
Ko waits outside as Hinata and Hiashi have their first one-on-one meeting. Hiashi spares no formalities on the ex-heiress. As soon as Hinata is seated Hiashi begins unloading the clan's decision.
She first learns that in a month she will be engaged to a wealthy merchant by the name of Haku Shin. She vaguely remembers the name. She wonders if he may have been one of the prospective suitors from nearly a decade ago. Hiashi confirms that he indeed had expressed interest in her before and that he is more than thrilled at the possibility of being formally associated with the Hyuga clan. Hinata knows this is a reminder that for most, her clan's title supersedes her value as an individual.
With time she will accept this arranged marriage, but questions what will happen to her unborn child. Will this stranger accept her child as his own? Before she verbalizes the question, it is answered for her.
"You are lucky that you are not showing. Haku like the rest of Konoha is unaware of this pregnancy. You will keep it a secret and not mention anything of it during the engagement ceremony." The hairs on Hinata's body stands on end.
"He is informed of your mission and is aware that the marriage will happen after you return. We have considered sending you to a distant relative in the Land of Sound, but it may be easier to keep watch of you in our compound." His words implies that the next statement to be uttered will give her a valid cause to desert her hometown.
"If the child is born with our eyes, a branch member will take over parental responsibility. The child will never know who its biological mother is and will eventually be sealed once the Byakugan is activated."
"And if my child doesn't possess my eyes?" Hinata quietly questions.
"Then all ties will be cut and it will be sent to the Konoha orphanage."
Hinata shakes her head in disbelief. She looks up at her father with disgust in her eyes. Her gaze alone conveys the message that she is disappointed in him; that he is willing to discard his grandchild for the sake of propriety.
"You have no right to judge me, child. You are solely responsible for the ill-fate of this illegitimate child."
Knowing the odds are against her, Hinata prostrates herself on the wooden floor next to her father's seat.
"Please, Otou-san. I can't agree to this." She tries to offer an alternative 'solution' "I can't give up my child. I can leave…Banish me and seal me…", but is interrupted by Hiashi.
"What makes you think you are in a position to bargain? This decision is final. Also, you are correct…you will be sealed before you leave to join your husband in Iwagakure." With this said, Hiashi slides the shoji door open and motions for Ko to return Hinata to her room.
Upon entering her room she finds Hanabi impatiently pacing back and forth.
"Neechan! What did father decide?" Hinata is unable to respond, instead she rushes to the garbage pail where she regurgitates yellow bile. Hanabi scrunches her nose but quickly removes the bin from her sister's room, but not before noticing a few specks of blood in the yellow liquid. She sighs, worried about her sister's health. Hinata is in her second trimester but weighs less than she did when she first returned. Her weight loss coupled with her sickly pallour is of serious concern, but Hinata's new disposition implies that the newly shared information is far worse.
She returns to comfort her sister. But doesn't press for more information as she will learn of it soon directly from the horse's mouth.
Several weeks later as Hinata's engagement looms, life for Naruto is far less dramatic. Like every other day, he can be found at the Hokage tower musing over stacks of unfinished paperwork. Today is a little different, as Sakura has decided to visit for lunch with three bowls Ichiraku's ramen. Naruto is more than willing to hog two bowls, as Shikamaru has decided to visit his family for lunch.
After she has finished her bowl and Naruto has moved to his second, Sakura pulls out her phone to ask Naruto about some gossip she's overheard from her colleagues.
"Is it true?" She asks pointing to a photo of red-haired movie actress. "Are you dating Maki Kodoh?"
Naruto cheerlessly chuckles. "It was one meeting. The press sure likes to twist events. Her publicist was there as well, as was Shikamaru. They wanted to get the rights to do an autobiographical movie based on my childhood. She would've played the role of my Kaa-san. But I refused. At least for now. I don't need that type of attention at the moment."
Sakura gushes about how beautiful she is, while Naruto focuses on finishing his lunch. Naruto wants to say he has seen more beautiful women but allows her to fangirl.
A loud thump is heard from outside and the office door is yanked open. Naruto's secretary is seen trying to catch up with a very determined Hyuga heir. Shikamaru follows closely behind, clearly annoyed to return to a troublesome scene. He dismisses the secretary and shuts the door.
He is the first to address the unwanted intruder. "Hanabi-san, what is the meaning of this? You aren't scheduled to see the Hokage today."
"I know I don't have an appointment. But I'm not here to see my Hokage, I'm here to speak with my brother-in-law."
Sakura glares at Hanabi. Not one to hold her tongue, she is quick to express her distaste at the younger female's audacity to bring up a painful reminder of the ties her teammate had with the promiscuous ex-heiress.
Sakura is about to remind Hanabi that she no longer has the privilege to consider Naruto family, when she feels Naruto's hand calmly resting on her shoulder; beckoning her to stop.
"Hanabi, how may I help you?"
"I have no one else to turn to, Aniki. You have to help Hinata." He finds it ironic that his ex-sister-in-law is here to request aid for his ex-wife. When said individual made it evident to him on multiple occasions that she was in favour of their divorce.
"Why should I help her?" He replies nonchalantly, though Sakura notices the slight twitch of his brow.
"Because it's Hinata nee-chan. She has no one else to help her. She has risked her life to save you. She would do the same if the tables were turned."
Naruto scoffs. "I highly doubt that. She has made it clear that she no longer wants to be with me or needs my help." He goes on to explain that even if he wants to help, he is unable to as it's a clan-related matter.
"Don't you want to know what they are planning to do with an unborn Konoha citizen?"
Naruto raises from his seat, now annoyed by this midday intrusion. He walks over to Hanabi and begins ushering her out.
She dodges him and moves away from the door. Without waiting for him to respond she offers "They will send the child off to the orphanage. The same orphanage you ran away from. The child has a mother who wants him, Aniki."
Naruto's pride and indignation suspends his usually emphatic nature. He asks her to leave and to refer to him by his professional title.
With tears in her eyes, Hanabi bows and thanks her Hokage for his time before exiting the office.
He removes his cloak; hanging it neatly on his chair. He then excuses himself saying he needs to clear his mind.
After his departure, Sakura turns to Shikamaru to ask if the Hyuga clan would really commit such a horrendous act.
Shikamaru sighs, confirming it's highly probably for clans steeped in tradition.
Her next question catches the Nara off-guard; "Do you know who the father is?" Not wanting to seem nosey she adds "maybe he can help his child out of this predicament."
Shikamaru stares at a maple tree through the glass pane. Contemplating how much he should reveal. His loyalty is toward his Hokage, but Hinata is a comrade of his. Before her marriage to Naruto, they became especially close as they are the godparents to Mirai.
"Naruto has his suspicions. But I'm not at liberty to say."
"Why is he trying to protect this individual?" Sakura demands to know.
As a purple leaf with five lobes slowly fall to the ground, Shikamaru comes to the conclusion that Naruto will eventually regret his decision to remain apathetic.
"He is not trying to protect him. He is withholding information to protect you!"
"But why would he…" She is not close to being a genius like the Nara but the information is enough to get his point across. Bewildered, she looks over at him and shakes his head in disbelief. There is only man Naruto has consistently protected Sakura from… "Sasuke-kun?"
TBC
So as much as I love SasuHina, I also adore cannon NaruHina Except in Boruto:( But I did see an image this week of the Uzumaki household on a picnic with their adopted family member. Adorable! Maybe I wouldn't have been inspired to write this story if I saw more cute, family moments like that. But happy it turned out this way. Angsty/toxic SasuHina is the best!
As always, I appreciate your feedback. Any predictions for the end?