Note I do not own Naruto or most of the characters in this fic. Thoughts are still italicized.

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Chapter 3: Meet the Family

Neji led Naruto down the halls of the Hyuuga complex. They had been waiting for several hours while the preparations for the special hearing were made. Neji opened a door and pulled Naruto through it. Inside the head of the Hyuuga family Hiashi knelt in front of a short table, its glossy surface was polished so well that it reflected the elder man's image. Beside him were a few other family members and Hinata. All were sitting on their knees but only Hinata was bowing with her face pressed to the wooden floor. After entering the room Neji whispered "You should be bowing as well Naruto. How well you make your case will decide whether you and Hinata live or die." After saying this, the white eyed ninja stepped back and stood near the door to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the room. Naruto just dropped to his knees and prostrated himself before the clan leaders. He didn't want to die, and he most certainly wanted Hinata to live.

"Uzumaki Naruto," one of the men began, "you have defiled the heiress of the Hyuuga clan, most likely intentionally. The law of the clan states that both of your lives are now forfeit. How do you plead?"

Naruto looked up from his spot on the ground. "I have no choice but to plead guilty." He answered as a gasp traveled through the room. "Except on one part; it was not intentional."

Hiashi smiled cruelly "Most of the time people do such things without thinking of the consequences. The act was still done however. I doubt that you could say you didn't mean to. I have seen how you look at my daughter; I know what those looks mean."

"Hiashi-sama please let me finish." Naruto said. "The only instance that I could think of this happening was a few months ago."

"Go on." Was the only response to his plea.

Feeling a little emboldened Naruto continued. "It was the night of Neji's wedding." At this the blonde ninja cast a glance sideways at the man by the door. He appeared shocked that such a thing could have happened on the night of his wedding. "I think the two us had a little too much, though we were not as bad as Lee, who I am sure you remember had to be taken from the party by several Anbu squad members before he could hurt someone." The thought of the drunken fuzzy eye browed man taking on a squad of elite ninjas caused him to smile slightly. He was called back to reality when someone cleared their throat. "Sorry." He mumbled. "Well we were among the last to leave and I being the gentleman I am, took it upon myself to walk her home.

The fact that he used the term "gentleman" in this kind of situation is ironic. Hiashi thought as he narrowed his eyes.

"Well for some reason we both felt too tired to walk all the way across town so we went to my apartment which was closer. We being in the state we were in didn't know what we were doing. I felt extremely warm so I kinda stripped down to my boxers." He looked up to see the shocked expressions of the noblemen. "I was drunk what do you expect?" He said as his face turned bright red. "Well Hinata had sort of collapsed near the couch and so I picked her up and put her in my bed. The exertion made everything go crazy on me and I fell into the bed too. I do not remember what happened during the night but when I awoke she was snuggled up against me. I quickly woke her up and after we got dressed we both went our separate ways. I had no clue how serious this was, Hiashi-sama. Pleas if someone must die kill me. The thought of your daughter coming to such harm on account of me is unbearable."

"Neji take him out of the room." The Hyuuga head commanded. Neji quickly obeyed, his stern expression conveying more anger than words could possibly carry.

After they left the older ninja looked at Naruto. "You are only twenty. Why did you have to throw away your life with such a reckless action? And furthermore, why did you have to do it on my wedding day?" The corners of Neji's mouth lifted slightly with that last remark telling Naruto that at least that was a joke. He was still serious about the fact that Naruto had basically thrown his life out the window.

"I don't know." Responded Naruto, he lowered his eyes and stared at his feet. I certainly didn't expect anything like this to happen. I mean if I did know I would have at least done it at a time that I could have remembered the experience." This brought a smile to his face. His smile was only temporary because soon afterward Neji's fist slammed into the top of his head.

"Perverted idiot!" the man yelled. "I don't think that you gasp the gravity of the situation even now." He was going to continue but one of the elders entered the room. He only beckoned for them to come before turning to leave.

The pair walked down the hall filled with portraits of the former Hyuuga leaders. Their hard expressions seemed to be carrying a sense of anger and disdain toward Naruto. He hung his head as he walked so he would not have to deal with the cold looks.

The two ninjas once again entered the room and it looked as if nobody had moved since they left. They were all wearing the same indifferent expressions.

"Your fate has been decided Uzumaki Naruto." Hiashi said slowly, his voice betraying no emotion. "Hinata shall be spared but your life is now forfeit to the Hyuuga clan."

At these words Hinata, who still had her face pressed to the ground began sobbing. Naruto frowned and opened his mouth to speak.

"Silence!" Hiashi said raising his voice to almost a shout. "Your method of punishment is as follows. You are to be married to Hyuuga Hinata in exactly two weeks until that time you are not allowed to leave the compound. You will be suspended from all activities as a ninja until further notice."

Naruto's jaw almost hit the floor. What did he just say? He looked at Hinata, who was still crying with her head on the ground. Then it hit him, she was still in the room so she knew what was going to happen. Those were not tears of sorrow but tears of joy. She suddenly jumped up from her kneeling position and ran to Naruto. He folded his arms around her in a tight embrace, tears were beginning to well up in his eyes as well. He stared into her face, love was the only thing he saw in her eyes. He bent lover and kissed her on the cheek. He wanted to do more but seeing how so many people were in the room he thought better of it.

"Neji shall take you to the room in which you will stay and is also assigned as your guard." The elder Hyuuga continued. "If you try leaving he has the permission of the clan to stop you in anyway he sees fit. Preparations for the wedding shall now begin. Neji you and Naruto are now dismissed." The three of them turned to leave the room.

"Hinata," her father called. "You are not free to go yet. In fact you will be here for quite a while. Weddings take much time to plan."

The young blue haired woman looked at her father. A smile was on his lips. Hinata was shocked at this development, her father's smiles to her were few and every one of them always left her longing for the affection she used to receive from him before her mother had died. This time however she felt differently.

"Yes father." She whispered, as tears rolled down her cheeks. She released Naruto's hand and walked back to her father. Neji closed the door on the scene and led Naruto to his room.

"The easy part is over brother." Neji told his friend smiling. "The hard part will now begin. Prepare yourself." He closed the door leaving Naruto alone in his room. The only sounds to be heard were his own heartbeat and Neji's footsteps as they echoed down the hall.

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Author's note: Yeah abrupt ending but I deem it a good place for the scene to end. More shall be revealed as soon as I figure out what I want to happen next. All I have to say is you will have to wait and see.