Author's note: I was scrolling through DeviantArt and saw British-Prophetess's 20 Theme's Challenge: Alternative Universe Romance and thought it was such a cool idea I couldn't resist. I decided to go with the paring, MikotoxMinato, I've read some amazing stories about those two and I think they definitely would've made an adorable couple. Please review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Your Arms Around Me

The Uchiha Clan was powerful, fierce, influential, and most importantly feared.

Mikoto Uchiha had known this and many other facts and opinions that members of the clan itself along with people of the Hidden Leaf village had about the Uchiha clan. Both good and bad. The whispers and glances had followed her around ever since she was a little girl, and her last name had both undoubtedly granted her many luxuries while placing on her small shoulders the many burdens and expectations that came with being an Uchiha.

Perhaps it was due to her clan's genetics but like every member of the Uchiha clan, she was gifted in all aspects of jutsu and the shinobi life. In school, she excelled at exams and all forms of training. At home, she perfectly memorized the tricks and methods her mother and grandmother taught her in terms of keeping a nice, clean house and preparing traditional meals for her future husband.

Back when she was a little girl, the idea of being married appealed greatly to her. Her parents seemed happy and very much in love. Seeing their devotion to each other only strengthened her eagerness to find someone someday who she would love and would love her in return.

And she did.

The only problem was that she could never be with him. Somehow, young Mikoto Uchiha's young naive brain seemed completely unaware that being part of the Uchiha clan meant that her parents would decide who her husband would be.

In a perfect world, this wouldn't have been a problem. In a perfect world, Mikoto would willingly and happily marry anyone who her parents deemed a good match for her. Afterall, she had been raised to trust her parents decision and do whatever made them and the clan happy.

It would have worked out if Mikoto had never met Minato Namikaze. She had always been vaguely aware of the talented blonde student who trained under Master Jiraiya. Had heard great and wonderful things about his skills as a shinobi and as a person, but she had never interacted with him until they were both sent to recover a team who had disappeared during a espionage mission. Lord Hokage believed that they were taken captive by the enemy and assigned herself and Minato to retrieve the team and eliminate the opposing team as quietly and quickly as possible.

The mission itself had gone smoothly, with Minato's Flying Raijin and her expertise in genjutsu, they were able to retrieve their comrades and eliminate the enemy without much trouble. The real trouble was after the mission. Mikoto wasn't sure when it started but something had changed in her heart. She had barely spoken to Minato during the mission and had rarely seen him before, but it was like they had already known each other. Just like that, a boy who she had only heard about from other shinobi and from her best friend Kushina, become a constant fixture in her life.

They trained together, went on more missions together, joked and talked with one another, and the two of them even spent their free days with Kushina every once in a while. Within the span of a few weeks, Mikoto felt something more than friendship for Minato. She felt like she had found someone that had somehow already been a part of her.

It was clear something in Minato had changed as well. His once kind smiles turned into adoring ones. He often found himself scanning the room for her during meetings and felt a sudden pang of disappointment when she wasn't there. His heart beat faster whenever he saw her on the streets, and he felt an overwhelming desire to protect her on missions despite knowing she was capable of taking care of herself. Slowly, his thoughts became filled with her and the desire to be near her at all times grew stronger with every passing minute.

Without neither having to say anything, they fell into an unofficial relationship. It was subtle but powerful in the ways they cared and loved for each other. During meetings where all the jonin were present, Minato would always stand next to Mikoto. Whenever Mikoto had the time, she would go to Minato's apartment and cook him something. He brought her flowers. She taught him how to cook while keeping many buckets of water nearby. They laughed from sunrise to sunset. Lazy days in his apartment where her favorite, most treasured days. They learned the ins and outs of each other, stolen kisses and loving stares made up the happiest of Mikoto and Minato's memories.

Then, it was announced that Mikoto's parents had arranged for her to marry the son of the Uchiha Clan's leader: Fugaku Uchiha.

It might seem stupid, but for a brief, blissful moment, Mikoto had forgotten her clan duties. Had forgotten that one day she would marry someone her parents had seemed appropriate for her. Had forgotten about the Uchiha during her time with Minato.

It had been a mistake. She thought as she stared wide-eyed at her parents as they replayed the details regarding her upcoming engagement to the future clan head. They would announce it to the village tomorrow morning, and the wedding would take place in four months, at the beginning of Spring.

Suddenly desperate to get as far away from the Uchiha compound and her future husband as possible, she stood urgently, barely able excuse herself when her father's sharp, commanding voice erupted into the silent room, "Mikoto, we are meeting with Fugaku and his family for dinner today. Stay here and have the maids help prepare for the event."

It was a command and Mikoto knew that no matter what excuses her made up, her father would not let her leave the compound. She must have remained still for too long because she felt her mother's gentle hand on her arm, pulling her out of the room.

"Come Mikoto-chan, we only have a few hours to get you ready."

Mikoto numbly followed her mother down the fall and into her room where a small group of maids patiently awaited her mother's orders. Of course, they had heard the news. Mikoto was positive everyone in the Uchiha clan knew by now, and tomorrow, everyone in the Leaf would know.

Guilt suddenly washed over her as she thought of how Minato would feel about her upcoming marriage. I'm sorry Minato-kun, She thought, so very sorry.

Somehow, Mikoto found herself being guided into a warm bath scented with various luxurious oils as one maid washed her body and another washed her hair. Mikoto's other prepared the kimono but sighed when she saw the lost look on her daughter's face.

"I know this is sudden Mikoto-chan. But the head of our clan has been very impressed with your mission results lately. The head family believes you would be an excellent match for their son and it would significantly boost our position on the clan." Her mother said.

Mikoto numbly nodded though she only half made out what her mother had said. The only thing that ran through her mind was that she was being traded like cattle for her family's benefit and that she could never be with Minato again.

The dinner was excruciatingly painful. In the past, Mikoto would have easily ignored how her parents seemed to blindly agree with everything the head family said, it only ignored her now.

In front of her laid an incredible spread of the most exotic and expensive food and drinks that Mikoto had ever seen. Both families were dressed in their finest clothes and a handful of servants sat in the corner, ready at the moments notice to assist in any way necessary.

Everything was unnecessarily lavish and Mikoto hated it. She hated the way her parents laughed eagerly even when nothing funny was said, and how the head of the Uchiha clan made it seem as if they were doing Mikoto a favor by allowing her to marry their son.

More than once, Mikoto wanted to loudly state that she wanted nothing more than to not marry Fugaku Uchiha, but she didn't. She couldn't, she knew it would break her parents hearts and regardless of how furious she was that they had blindsided her, she still loved them.

So, she forced a smile and played the role of the eager, blushing, soon-to-be-bride.

The night dragged on for what felt like years and by the time her family was biding the head family goodnight, Mikoto was dead on her feet… that and very heartbroken. Her soon-to-be in laws nodded once at her before turned and leaving.

Fugaku stayed back awkwardly, appearing just as confused and shocked as she was. For the first time, she considered that their engagement could have been announced to him today was well.

Unable to stand and enrue his stare, Mikoto softly cleared her throat, "Goodnight Fugaku-san."

And offered him a bow.

This shocked him out of this thoughts as he nodded a goodbye, "Goodnight Mikoto-san."

They both knew there was much more to be said, afterall in four months they would be married and expected to follow the traditional expectations that came with their union. However, there was four months until then and nothing else was said.

Mikoto didn't leave the Uchiha compound the next day. She didn't even leave her family's property but she knew that news of her engagement would be spreading around the village like wildfire. Though she remained in the confines of her home, she could hear visitors and neighbors congratulations her parents on her engagement and telling them to tell Mikoto they were happy for her and that she was such a lucky girl.

She imagined her parents would beam with pride and promise them an invitation to her wedding. The mere thought of her entire clan and other nobles at her wedding nauseated her. Instead, she escaped outside to her family's garden, which was one of the few places she found peace. Mikoto desperately wished to talk to Kushina though she knew her redhead friend would be furious about the news. Kushina was the very first person that Mikoto and Minato revealed their relationship to.

Minato. She knew he would have heard the news by now.

Mikoto felt dread well up deep inside of her at the thought of the sapphire eyed shinobi. The greatest man she had known and the only person who her heart belonged to.

Channeling her frustration into her garden, Mikoto pulled weeds out from the ground and trimmed edges until they were perfectly symmetrical. It felt good to be outside, where she could hear the everything but still remain hidden.

It wasn't until she started working on a rose bush that she noticed a small slip of paper tied to one of the branches. Her pulse quickened as she quickly untied the paper, obsidian eyes scanning the neat script in a handwriting she would have recognized blindfolded.

There was only one word written on the slip: Tonight.

He had been waiting for her.

The minute she slipped through his open window of his bedroom, she found him sitting on the floor with a pot of tea nearby. Judging from the scent, it was her favorite.

Carefully lowering herself to the floor, she began making her way to him but stopped a few paces further away that she normally would, keeping her eyes locked on the clean floor.

Minato sighed and Mikoto felt her heart break even more. His bedroom was sparsely decorated and very organized. It was something she had always admired about Minato, he took care of his things.

The two sat in silence, a few feet from each other but it felt like they were continents apart. It felt like they were strangers.

It was Minato who broke the silence, but not with words. He sighed once more, before slowly getting up. The movement forced Mikoto to look at him and right away she wished she hadn't. Minato looked like the definition of broken and hurt, and it killed her to know that it was her fault.

He slowly made his way over to her, and before she knew what was happening, they were both on his bed, with his arms wrapped tightly around her. Then, he buried his head in the crook of her neck as one of his hands tangled themselves into her hair.

He breathed deeply, taking in the scent of fresh lilies that seemed to emanate from her.

His actions broke her heart futhered than imaginable. Unable to stop herself, she wrapped her arms around him, her hands burrowing themselves into his hair.

"Minato-" She began, but was cut off.

"I'm sorry Mikoto-chan." Minato said, his lips tickling her neck as he spoke.

Mikoto startled, slightly pulling away, "For what? You did nothing wrong! I'm the one who should be sorry."

Minato finally pulled away from her neck but kept his arms around her, "I should have said something to your parents sooner. I should have told you I wanted us to be more public. But we have so many enemies…" He trailed off and she knew exactly what he was thinking. Being with him was dangerous, even if she could defend herself. "I was worried something would happen to you."

She was rendered speechless but Minato kept talking, "I heard. Everyone in the Leaf knows. And I'm sorry but I can't congratulate you. I just can't." He whispered the last words, despair clear in his eyes.

Mikoto felt heat pool behind her eyes, "I don't want you to congratulate me. I don't want anyone to. I don't want to marry him." She whispered back.

Minato looked at her and she saw tears collect in his eyes as well. This was wrong, he knew that and she knew that. But before he could stop himself, he was kissing her, purging everything ounce of love he had into that kiss and Mikoto eagerly responded.

They kissed and kissed and kissed, somehow hoping that if they kissed enough, they could be together. Somewhere between kisses, they both knew it was a foolish wish but that didn't stop them.

"We shouldn't be doing this." Minato said, breathlessly as he leaned his forehead against hers. his breath gently blowing through her ebony strands, though he made no move to release her from his arms.

We shouldn't, Mikoto thinks. She is engaged, about it be married to four months to the head of the Uchiha clan. She should be in her bed in the Uchiha compound, counting down that days until her wedding. She should not be in the bedroom of someone outside of the clan, regardless of his reputation as a shinobi. It was wrong and Mikoto didn't care.

At that moment, she made a decision. She would not willingly enter a cage before it was time to.

"You're right, but I don't see either of us stopping anytime soon." She whispers back, taking one of his hands that were wrapped around her waist and intertwining their fingers together. With her other hand, her thumb traced slow circles on his palm.

A swarm of emotion flew through Minato's eyes before settling on one. She knew what he would ask before he formed the words, "Does Fugaku know?"

"No. Or at least I don't think so. We only met yesterday and only spoke to say goodbye." Mikoto responded. While it was difficult to read her betrothed during dinner, she felt confident that he wasn't aware of her feeling for Konoha's Yellow Flash. They had managed to keep it under the radar and very few people accept their closest friends knew.

It wasn't that she disliked Fugaku, she barely knew him and if last night's dinner was an indication, it was clear he wasn't going to open up to her easily. Which was fine by her, as long as she could tolerate him, she could manage. The only thing she knew she wouldn't be able to do is love him, at least, not in the way she loved Minato.

That night, wrapped in Minato's arms, Mikoto decided that she would not stop seeing him. She couldn't, not if she wanted to remain sane and not if she wanted to hold on to hope. They had been successful in hiding their relationship so far. Now that he was captain of a genin squad, they rarely went on missions together. In addition, Mikoto knew that Kushina would be willing to provide excuses and serve as an alibi for why Mikoto was sometimes late returning to the compound at night. They could make it work, at least until Spring arrived. Regardless of what would happen she was determined that Minato would remain unscathed by the Uchiha clan, regardless of what that would mean for her.

For the first time she was doing what she wanted, clan policies be damned and it felt good even if it was only for a little while. Mikoto squeezed his hand tightly in reassurance which caused Minato to tighten his arms around her.

They would not have forever, but they had now, and that was enough.

The next morning, Kushina and Mikoto were walking past the dango shop when they spotted the Yellow Flash himself, Minato Namikaze emerging from the shop with a bag of dangos in his hand.

Kushina had returned from the village early that morning and upon hearing the news about Mikoto's engagement, had to be hauled away from the Uchiha compound before Kushina attempted to kill both her parents and Fugaku's.

As Mikoto dragged Kushina away, the red head continued shouting obscenities about clans and their arranged marriages. It wasn't until Mikoto informed her friend that she and Minato would continue to see each other in secret that Kushina finally quieted down. Kushina was never a stickler to rules and she enjoyed that Mikoto was finally jumping on board.

"Kushina, please just act natural. Ever since my engagement was announced, I feel like everyone is watching me so closely. I need them to believe that nothing has changed." Mikoto said quietly to her friend.

Kushina quickly agreed, promising to do anything to help her friend. The timing could be better because it was at that exact moment that they saw Minato.

Kushina had enthusiastically greeted her friend with a not-so-gentle nudge, while Mikoto smiled politely at him. Minato winced and rubbed the spot Kushina had elbowed him while returning Mikoto's smile with his own. The three exchanged a few more words before heading off in opposite directions.

To anyone witnessing the interaction, it seemed completely normal but Kushina knew better. She saw the way Minato's gaze constantly shifted to Mikoto and didn't miss the way Mikoto instantly relaxed when the blonde came into view. Kushina didn't miss the look of content and adoration that was held in Minato's eyes when Mikoto smiled at him or the slight pink flush Mikoto had when Minato looked at her.

Kushina watched her two closest friends, and felt sorrow dig it nails into her heart. They were perfect for each other and they would never be together. A sad smile made it way to Kushina's lips as she thought about how cruel the world was. Minato and Mikoto were in love with each other and Kushina would do anything in her power to make sure they could spend time together before Mikoto married Fugaku.

All the while, Kushina's heart kept breaking, watching Mikoto and Minato love each other from a distance as she loved Minato in secret. Love was a good thing but more dangerous than a poisoned kunai.