Most of the Hyuuga dinner in this one, it should be finished with the next chapter.
Not much to say, so thanks goes to ncpfan for his help.
Let's begin.
He had to hand it to her, for telling her the same day that he needed something appropriate to wear to a dinner with the head of the Hyuuga clan Mai had done a great job with his attire. His loose black clothing was plain but fine- almost exquisitely so – and did well to highlight his pale skin which, in turn, further brought out the color of his hair and eyes.
If he was honest, however, he much preferred the furs he had worn to meet with the Yamanaka last month. They might not have been all that impressive, but they were certainly very comfortable.
That was not to say these were not so, for the soft fabric was pleasantly cool to the touch and hug loosely enough to only ghost against his skin, but the simplicity of the furs and their heavy warmth brought with it a comfort that was hard to match.
Still, he supposed he could get used to this clothing, not that he had much of a choice. Even if he didn't say anything about his new status as a Daimyo Mai would take it upon herself to ensure he was properly robed for his station.
She was also unlikely to take no for an answer.
It was for the best, really, because he was far more inclined to go about his business as if he were still the young academy student who had somehow gained himself an army. Image was important, yes, but Naruto had never really gone for proper- he typically leaned towards impact. He wasn't trying to fit in, he was sending a message. That message was usually delivered with his actions, too, so what he wore wasn't all that important.
Unfortunately, there were still rules to this game and he couldn't expect to break them all if he intended to continue playing. And out of all the rules, dressing the part was not too terrible a burden on him.
There was also something to be said about dressing up. The right outfit could make or break one's image but it could also affect the wearer's mentality. The furs were wild, feral, but filled with a natural power. These black robes, however, made him feel like the Daimyo he now was. Refined power and cold calm, he had always been a lord but now he could actually think of himself as one.
Pity, still, that he wasn't likely to don his furs again. Even if his current attire wasn't more appropriate Mai herself had told him she thought he looked better in these black garments and that meant they were going to stay if she had any say about it.
She did, in case you weren't quite sure.
Smoothing his sleeves- and checking that both daggers were present- his hands moved down to the purple sash that separated his black top from his equally dark pants. He was careful to keep his fingers from catching upon the fine gold embroidery- he wasn't all that sure it wasn't actual gold and it would surprise him if it had been-as he subtly checked to ensure the four daggers stored there yet remained.
He didn't stop to check the location of the seventh dagger- it was quite impossible to do so while he continued to walk- but he could feel it well enough pressed against his outer right calf and held there by the white bandages that bound his pants to his woven sandals.
His footwear, it would seem, was the most basic thing he was wearing as far as he knew, for there was nothing that seemed to separate them from any other pair. Of course, Mai was just as practical as she was determined to dress him in the finest, so he wouldn't be all surprised if she had forgone anything fancy so he might have a reliable pair of sandals should something happen.
He was hoping nothing did- he really was- but it never hurt to be ready to make a break for it should the gods grow bored.
Gods, of course, reminded him of the Hyuuga's belief in fate and that nearly caused a groan to escape his lips. If Hiashi was like most Hyuuga fate was bound to come up often enough throughout the dinner, especially if he stayed for a while- which was likely in this situation, for the dinner would easily take several hours and could quite possibly take at least eight considering the Hyuuga's status- and that was going to get real old real fast.
This diner had the potential to be a royal pain in his ass, but at least Hinata would be there. With any luck, he should be able to use her to slightly manipulate conversation and steer them back on track should Hiashi start going on about fate.
That's what he hoped, at least.
She tried hard not to stare, or that's what she told herself- but this was the boy who had stood up for her sister?
By the gods, no wonder the former heiress seemed smitten!
Many of the men within her clan were considered rather attractive in an almost feminine way both within and without the clan but never before had she ever been tempted to call a man beautiful.
The young man before her, however, could be described in no other way.
And to think, he wasn't just the one who had declared her sister under his protection, but he was the one from which she sought protection now- the young man with connections to the fearsome Wolves, a group that had recently been declared a noble house by the Daimyo himself.
Naruto, she was certain, would look right in place amongst the Imperial Fire Court.
The thought was enough to bring a faint dusting of red to her cheeks, small enough to go unnoticed in the orange light of the formal dining room of the compound but enough for her to be able to feel her cheeks grow warm.
It was hard, however, to break her eyes away from him and no doubt her sister- and perhaps even her father- would agree.
The midnight cloth that was loose enough to not be constricting but cut closely enough to be form fitting absorbed the light around him while his pale skin reflected the light of the room, a contrast that made her doubt- if only for a second- that he was just a young man.
A beautiful young man, but a young man nonetheless.
His hair, unlike his skin, did not reflect the light. Instead it seemed to capture it, burning with flaming orange with the flickering of the candles. It was as if his head was crowned in living flames, the son of Amaterasu given flesh.
Then again, with how beautiful he seemed to her, could this not, perhaps, be Amaterasu herself come down to visit the mortal plane?
Her body trembled slightly at the idea.
If it really was Amaterasu sitting at their table, known and contacted by her sister Hinata, maybe there was some truth to the idea of Hinata being some sort of goddess or at least being connected to Fate in some way they couldn't understand.
She shook her head, dislodging the thought that attempted to take root. That line of thinking was ridiculous. Her sister wasn't a deity and neither was the boy sitting across from her father.
Even as she dismissed the notion his purple eyes shone with more light than should be possibly reflected from the open flames and another tremble went through her small frame.
Her sister wasn't a deity, she was resolute in that fact, but Naruto-
Naruto just might have ties to the gods.
And that was just more reason for her to put herself in his good grace.
A soft smile graced her lips as she took a look at her sister. Even with the light hiding her blush, it did nothing to disguise the way she was looking at their guest. Not that she could blame her, really.
An imposing figure was the one he cut, straight-backed, regal, and absolutely commanding. He did not look comfortable in his attire, these new black garments colored with only a dash of purple and a faint glittering of gold, but neither did he look uncomfortable.
It was as if he had always been to wear them, for they fitted him perfectly in the status he had come into so recently. Hyuuga Hinata never put much stock into fate, not like the rest of her family, but even she couldn't deny that something more seemed to have a hand in the life of the young man sat so elegantly at their table, looking for all the world as if it were perfectly natural for him to be found dining with the head of the Hyuuga.
Her eyes took him in briefly and she felt her own cheeks grow warm. His attractiveness was undeniable, something made obvious by her younger sister's poorly hidden attempts to stare at him throughout the dinner, but there was a large difference, she was learning, between when he was simply going about his business and when he was taking care of it.
The confidence and authority that rolled off him filled the room, drawing all eyes to him and commanding their full attention. Even her father had to make visible effort to look at his daughters during the diner conversation lest it appear as if he were staring at his honored guest.
Despite having the full attention of everyone there, Naruto didn't seem to notice at all, Something Hinata immediately knew was far from the truth. Still, he simply sat there, the faintest of smiles tugging at his lips, as he politely responded to her father's words.
Had she not known the leader of the Wolves as she did she might have been inclined to believe he was simply the quiet type, shy and unwilling to enter the spotlight. His forceful presence, even when he was only occasionally nodding along to whatever her father was saying, should have been enough to tell the uninformed how incredibly wrong they were.
No, he was only being quiet because it was not yet time for him to make any sort of move. Just as her father sought to get a read on his guest that very same guest was feeling out her father, analyzing everything about him to see how he could best benefit from his current situation.
He was undoubtedly a wolf, one usually on the prowl, but right now she likened him unto a serpent lying in wait to strike, a forked tongue hidden until it was time to coax his prey into a false sense of comfort and security.
It was odd, she had to admit, that he always seemed to resemble a different animal. Was it simply because there was no one creature that he fully resembled, or did he change whenever it suited him to best further his goals?
Hinata, unsurprisingly, had a feeling it was quite likely both.
Turning away from the young man who's exact role in her life she couldn't quite define, her lavender eyes fell upon her sister who was still doing her best to look only mildly interested in her guest. If nothing else, it let Hinata know exactly why her sister had brought up the matter of never having thanked Naruto for his actions of defending the honor of the clan- or whatever bullshit it was that had her father agreeing. She swore, Hanabi either really believed in the foolish teachings of the elders or was simply far too good at using them to manipulate their father- and it threatened to turn her soft smile into a full grin.
Careful to ensure it didn't, she had to momentarily puzzle as to why her sister had wanted to meet with Naruto. His connection to the Wolves- or 'powerful allies' as her father had said- had been known for over a year without her saying anything and it wasn't until after Hanabi had brought up the subject of meeting with him that the House of Wolves was announced as being part of the Imperial Fire Court, so that couldn't have been it.
What then, had been her reason?
Could it have nothing to do with the Wolves at all? Was it because she was just curious about him, having heard her talk of him or seen him about the village?
Did it have something to do with her? Was that why her sister had grown a sudden interest? But that didn't make any sense, she really hadn't been doing anything. In fact, other than meet with some of the more influential members of her flock- Naruto's, she corrected herself- she really hadn't been up to much.
And that's when the thought hit her.
If she had just been tending to the flock, and her actions were behind Hanabi's desire to meet with Naruto- the young man to proclaim her as under his protection back in the academy- did Hanabi somehow know of the flock?
And if so, what was she planning?
Dinner continued along much the same track for the next two hours, Naruto paying no mind to the nervousness that had come over Hinata and being only faintly interested in the combination of hesitation and hope within the eyes of her sister as she continued to gaze upon him.
Neither of those things bothered him. Hiashi, on the other hand, was getting on his nerves.
No doubt it was a sentiment shared.
Long had he been used to being able to get a read on people around him and he was, if he did say so himself, fairly competent in the games that were so often played during the difficult dance of politics.
Unfortunately, the same seemed to hold true for Hiashi as well. Were it not for the barely noticeable look on his face that so matched his own feelings on this matter he may have entertained the thought he was outmatched. This was better, this equality, but it made it no more tiring to deal with.
Other than the slow progress as both attempted to get a feel for the other without showing their own hands- which, admittedly, might have been easier if the Clan Head had been inclined to underestimate him- things were going along quite well. Music filed the air from an adjacent room, passing through the thin walls with an only slightly muffled ease, and the food was good. The atmosphere, while formal, was still warm and decently comfortable to one who had already dined at the Daimyo's palace.
All in all, he was quite enjoying himself, despite the tedious nature of his current game with his host.
Still, he couldn't help but be a bit grateful towards the youngest daughter- the one who didn't seem quite able to decide if his being there was a good thing or not- when she spoke up for what had to be less than the dozenth time that evening.
"Father, we've been dining for some time now." She started. "Perhaps we might break for a few minutes? I could show our guest around the gardens."
The thoughtful frown only took up his face for a moment before he nodded.
"A sound suggestion." Agreed the Clan head. "I'm certain we could all use a moment to stretch our legs and let our meal settle." He turned to his eldest daughter. "Inform the kitchens that we've finished with the meal and we'll have something sweet when we return."
It was obvious, to Naruto at least, that he wanted a moment to himself so he might think over the meeting thus far without having to continue conversation. It was understandable and Naruto had to mentally tip his hat to the man. As he would be touring the gardens with the heiress he wouldn't have the same advantage.
Knowing this, he couldn't help but meet the man's eyes, smirk, and incline his head the barest amounts to say he knew very well what was being done.
He knew- and he approved.
A similar smirk- though noticeably smaller- ghosted over Hiashi's lips and for a moment it looked like the man didn't know if he was more disappointed at being seen though so easily or amused that the boy did, in fact, seem to be his match.
It was an odd thing, no doubt, to the both of them.
Not often enough did they find themselves challenged.
Despite himself, and even knowing what was going on in the clan behind the man's back, Naruto found himself liking the head of the Hyuuga clan.
It would be a shame if he got in the way.
The sun had fully set sometime during their dinner and now only a shiver of warmth remained in the night air, soon to be chased away as night fully overtook the world. There were few lanterns lit around the compound- likely due to the fact that the sentries didn't need it to be too bright to detect intruders- but the full moon was more than enough to light the darkness around them.
Other than the faint rustle as a gentle breeze caressed nearby plans and the occasional swishing of their clothing there was little other sound as they walked over the path of the main Hyuuga gardens. He expected there to be at least someone around but perhaps they simply had a tendency to retire earlier than most of the village. That or someone had arranged for privacy. Whether that had been Hiashi, Hanabi- he briefly looked at the young woman walking beside him- or if it was simply coincidence- or even other clanmembers simply seeing them and granting them privacy of their own volition- he didn't know.
He was also unsure if it mattered.
"N-Naruto-San?" Her voice broke the comfortable silence that had been between them and he looked back at her. She had spoken and yet her eyes dared not meet his own, almost as if she were scared-no, she didn't seem scared, more like hesitant- worried.
"Yes, Hanabi-San?" he gave her a soft smile, more to reassure her than because he was enjoying her company- which, in fact, he was, but that was beside the point- but whether she actually managed to see it remained unknown to the young Daimyo.
"Might we sit for a moment?" She asked, gesturing to a nearby bench. "I- I would like to speak with you."
Raising a brow he frowned. This was odd, he honestly had no idea what she might want to speak to him about. Then again, he also couldn't think of anything she might want to talk about that would necessarily be a bad thing and so with a curt nod he agreed.
"Certainly."
The two of them moved to sit upon the cold stone of the bench and silence descended once more. This didn't bother Naruto any, he could wait to hear that which she wanted to say. And if she didn't say it? Well, he'd be a bit curious, but it no real loss as far as he knew.
It was nearly five minutes of silence later that she had screwed up her courage and dove straight in.
"I know of Hinata no Mikoto."
A brow rose but he made no other indication he had heard her.
Still, starting with that? He knew she was the heiress now, shouldn't that mean she was being trained to be the next Head? Hiashi knew the game, he played damn well too, so was she doing this on purpose or was she simply hopeless when it came to subtlety?
Had he been a lesser man she would have been dead as soon as the words had registered and he would have worried about who else might have known and how it was she found out later. Luckily for her, he was not a lesser man and he was smart enough to hear her out before he decided on which course of action he wanted to take.
"Of who, now?"
She shot him a slight glare, her sharp features reminding him of her father. It was obvious who she took after and it would seem he would be at a bigger disadvantage than he had previously realized. While Hiashi had time to mull over his thoughts in peace, he would be continuing with the game- albeit at a lesser level.
If this had been the man's plan Naruto both cursed and applauded him.
If not, well, he was still at a disadvantage, wasn't he?
"I know you know."
He couldn't stop the slight smirk that tugged at his lips.
"And now I know you know I know what, exactly?"
She scowled- something that was really more adorable than anything else considering her age and small size- and shot him a dirty look.
"About Hinata no Mikoto."
"What is it I'm supposed to know that you know I know about Hinata no Mikoto?"
She growled- actually growled! He was starting to like this one!- before grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him closer to her. Their noses were touching before she realized there was a blade to her throat and his amused expression had completely melted of his face.
Slowly she released her hold on him, her eyes never leaving the cold metal held against her skin.
"We'll think better of trying that again, now, won't we?"
She barely kept herself from nodding.
"Y-yes." She most certainly would, that had nearly cost her life when all she intended to do was glare at him and tell him to knock it off.
"Now, you were saying?" he prompted as he returned his blade to the purple sash wrapped around his waist.
"I know what Hinata's doing." She began again. It was obvious she was going to have to be completely open and hope she was right. There was little chance of being wrong but a little chance was more than enough for something to go wrong. "And I know the Wolves are with her."
"Do you now? How interesting." He didn't sound interested, not in the slightest, and the way he frowned down at her like an angered god had her wanting to shrink into herself. Never again, she promised herself, would she be so foolish as to touch him without permission.
At least, not until they were on at least friendly terms. She had to remember that this wasn't someone at the academy or a lesser ranking member of the clan. This was not even an equal- he was superior to her. Riling her up or no, she should not have dared to be so free with her actions. She was the Hyuuga heiress, the daughter of Hiashi, she was better than to lose control like that for even a second.
"I know you have ties to the Wolves- close ties- and I'm not so foolish as to think that even if my father and the elders win our clan won't fall apart."
"Win? What is there to win?"
"The clan." Her answer was immediate. "Hinata has a following of branch members and eventually either she'll make a move or my father will learn and take action. Either way people associated with the main branch- people like me- will lose."
"Oh?" One brow raised in question, curiosity plain on his face. "And how do you figure that?"
"Even if the branch members don't kill us all, the clan itself with collapse without them. Either way it will be weakened, but with the Wolves supporting my sister it won't affect them as much."
"I see, so are you trying to say you wish to support your sister?"
Her eyes immediately flashed with rage.
"No!" She practically spat. "I will not join her as she destroys our clan-" The young girl seemed to deflate side him. "-But I can't do anything to stop her."
"Why is it, then, you wished to speak with me?"
"Because I want out. I may not be able to stop our fall, but I'll be damned if I'm taken down by my sister. You're with the Wolves and the Wolves are allied with Hinata."
"I suppose I could talk with them…"
"That's- that's not what I'm asking for."
"And what you are asking is..?"
She hesitated for a second before damning her pride and tossing herself to the ground before him, prostrating herself at his feet.
"Protection." Her voice was somewhat muffled by her position but he heard her well enough. "I ask for protection under you, Naruto-Sama."
He blinked several times as he processed what she was saying. That had been wholly unexpected. Here he was, prepared to cut her down to keep Hinata's actions a secret and she was willing to throw away her pride for just the barest hopes of saving herself.
He had not seen this coming, but as a smile stretched across his face a small chuckle escaped his lips.
He may not have ever considered this happening, but he certainly wasn't about to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
Moving from the bench he had just enough room to crouch down above her. Cupping her cheek with one hand he brought her face to look at his own.
"Do you have any idea what you're asking?" He questioned. "Do you truly comprehend what it is you're doing?"
"Y-yes, Naruto-Sama, I know what I'm asking and what position I'm putting myself in but I don't have any other choice. I will not survive on my own and the only way to live with the Hyuuga would be to hope I'm spared long enough to plead at my sister's feet. I would rather have the choice of pledging myself to another than be forced into such a position."
Admirable, he supposed. Rather useless for her in the end, but who was he to complain? With both daughters of the Clan Head the Hyuuga were as good as his already. Not that they weren't already, but this only further guaranteed it.
He thought briefly of using her to turn more of the Hyuuga to his side before things came to a head within the clan but decided better of it. People would become suspicious and that wasn't good. It wasn't time for Hinata's little cult to be discovered- not yet. He'd simply squirrel her away until everything had passed and she could either be used to support Hinata's rule or could be placed in the position as Head to command the clan as he willed.
Either way, he would have the most powerful clan of the most prosperous village under his control.
And that was not something to be taken likely- especially when he was the Daimyo of a foreign country.
That thought brought a frown to his face. He would definitely have to keep his and the Wolves involvement in this completely secret. The last thing he needed right now was the Daimyo of Hi no Kuni thinking he was trying to take control of his hidden village.
The man would be understandably nervous were he to know another Daimyo- even an allied one- had any sort of control over a large group of warriors that were sworn to his country. It would look far too much like he was trying to use their alliance to take Hi no Kuni as his own- not a hard conclusion to come to when his ascension to the status of Daimyo was through the exact same means.
But that was a matter to be worked at later, he would not allow this opportunity to pass him by. And if, in the end, he had to abandon her in order to keep the rest of his plans? So be it, it wasn't like her sister wasn't already his and through her the clan itself.
No, this was just extra insurance, extra opportunity, and he was loathe to go without now that it had been presented to him.
"Very well." He finally spoke. "You are attending the academy, no?"
"I am." She nodded as much as she could when he held her chin in his hand.
"Tomorrow I will send someone to retrieve you afterwards so that we might speak more about this, you will know them by my sash. Follow them, but do not approach until they motion you to join them, understood?"
"Perfectly, Naruto-Sama. I will do as you command."
It was obvious that it hurt her to say those words but that brought a smirk to his lips. She may have harmed Hinata at one point, but he really didn't have anything against her. The fact that her actions solidified the former heiress's loyalty to him was already a point in her favor.
There was also something to be said about a prideful main branch member surrendering themselves completely to his will. The Wolf within him was pleased.
"Come, stand, it is time we returned to the presence of your father." He stood, nudging her up using the hand that yet cupped her chin. "We've left him enough time to gather his thoughts."
"Yes, Naruto-Sama."
She was submitting now, knowing she had to rely upon him to escape the fate of her clan, but how long would it be until she could surrender no longer? At what point would her entire being scream in anguish at her lack of pride and force her to act out against him?
When she was safe?
Sooner?
Smirking, he looked down to see her standing there, eyes to the ground, waiting for him to take the lead. Like a snake ready to strike, a wolf ready to pounce, she bid her time, She was cowed now out of necessity and fear, but it would not last forever.
If he was honest, he was looking forward to the moment she could take no more and lashed out at him.
In fact, he couldn't wait.
Perhaps things had just gotten a bit more interesting here in Konoha.