Type: Romance/Mystery

Rating: PG-13 (for now)

Paring: Ita/Saku, other minor pairs

World: AU

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, anyone, or anyplace associated with the manga and anime of Naruto.

Chapter 3: Compromise

He couldn't see it, but the snow was falling thickly in the late afternoon light. He leaned against a large window, lazily enjoying the cold of the window pane on his face and the warmth of the fireplace at his back. One of Fuyu and Nadare's pups was curled up beside his feet, snoring softly. The Yondaime Yukikage seemed relaxed and content on the outside, but his entire body was taut and rigid. He was about to undergo one of the most dangerous jutsu known to the ninja world in a few hours, and nothing could ease the apprehension that weighed upon him. He sighed softly, but the wolf at his feet raised his head in question.

"You still worried, boss?" The wolf sat up and yawned, then thrust his silver head under Itachi's still hand. The young man obliged the unspoken request, scratching that particular spot between the animal's ears. Hyouzan was large, like his parents, but was the color of liquid silver with the power and speed of his race.

"Not really worried, Hyouzan, just…concerned." Hyouzan snorted, then rumbled his appreciation for the nimble fingers on his head.

"You humans think too much. This is going to help you; give you more power than you know what to do with. Our clan has done this enough times to not screw up."

"It's not about me doubting the clan's capabilities because I do not. It's about whether or not I am strong enough to withstand the procedure. How many humans have died trying to harness your great power?" The wolf was quiet for a moment.

"You and I have grown up together, Itachi. I've always had your back and you've always had mine. My father sees you as his own pup and half of my sisters are in love with you. Do you think we would allow you to die or come to harm?" Itachi chuckled.

"No, I suppose not."

"Good. So stop overusing your freakish brain and scratch some more to the left."

Tsunade studied the two men in her office carefully. Hyuga Hiashi seemed relaxed and poised all at once, a perfect symbol of the honor and dignity of the Hyuga Clan. He sat in his chair with a straightened back and folded hands, an air of calm and peace about him. It was no wonder as to where Hinata got her finer traits. Yamanaka Inoichi, on the other hand, was scarred, restless, and a bundle of energy. He was not accustomed to staying still and seated for very long. In this respect, Tsunade saw a great deal of Ino in him. Tsunade sighed and spoke.

"Gentlemen, I have asked you here for a very specific reason. It has come to the attention of the council that neither of your daughters have chosen serious suitors for their hands in marriage?" The men looked taken aback. They glanced back and forth from the Hokage to other two occupants of the room trying to guage the seriousness of the question.

"Well," Hiashi cleared his throat and began again. "Hinata seems to be quite taken with the Uzumaki boy, my lady, but I do not believe it is serious." Tsunade wanted to snort out loud. That man was in total denial. Everyone in the five nations knew that Hinata was in love with Naruto.

"So, in other words, she is not attached?"

"No, my lady."

"Inoichi? Does Ino have anyone she is currently interested in?" The man stopped his finger tapping and looked up, startled.

"To my horror, my lady, Ino has decided to take up a relationship with the Inuzuka kid. She hasn't stopped talking about him since they 'got together' two days ago." The poor man looked green, and Tsunade smiled cattily.

"Inoichi, if I recall correctly, fifteen years ago you yourself were strongly pursuing Tsume Inuzuka. I believe Hana has your mouth." The Yamanaka stifled a gasp and was quiet. He turned his head to hide the blush that crawled onto his face. Hyuga Hiashi was trying valiantly not to smile at his friend's distress.

"However," The Godaime continued, "I need to make a very particular decision, and I want your input. The village has received an offer from a very powerful individual. He asks for a young woman who has a Kekkei Genkai and a powerful family name so that he can marry her and strengthen relations between us. Your daughters are our best possible candidates." There was a shocked silence as the two fathers processed this information. Inoichi cleared his throat, shook himself out of his stunned daze, and spoke first.

"My lady, normally I would not hesitate to do what is best for the village, but this is my daughter we are talking about. As her father, I will not force her to do something she does not want, especially if I do not know the man I am sending her to. Who is he? Where is he? Can he support my baby girl?" Tsunade nodded, expecting this kind a response. Inoichi was known for being straightforward enough to stand in between the village and his child. She admired this about him. Hyuga Hiashi, on the other hand…

"Hiashi?" The Hyuga looked up, conflict warring within him.

"My daughters are precious to me, my Lady. I have watched them grow and have trained and protected them since their birth and the loss of my wife. I would give my life for them… but…"

'I knew it.' Tsunade thought.' His honor is conflicted. He must do what is best for Konoha, despite his own wants.'

"Hiashi, this is a tough decision, if you need more time-"

"My daughter would be honored to accept this mission. Hinata will marry this…man…if it is what is best for Konoha." Tsunade sighed softly but nodded.

"Fine, then. You are both dismissed." The two men bowed and shuffled out. Shikamaru and Shizune walked in quickly after the men had gone. Shizune looked worried, clutching TonTon to her breast and biting her lip. She dreaded the fallout that would follow the news of Hinata's engagement. Naruto would turn the entire Land of Fire upside down in his fury. Shikamaru cursed softly under his breath and flipped out a cigarette.

"Light that in here and I'll kill you," Tsunade growled.

"Troublesome," Shikamaru grumbled as he stuck the cigarette between his teeth anyway. Tsunade cradled her forehead and reached under her desk for the bottle of sake she had hidden. She poured herself a glass and threw it back in one gulp.

"Shizune, get me my grandson."

"What?!" Naruto paced like a caged fox and growled curses and death threats under his breath. Tsunade sat back, watching her only grandchild work himself into a fit. Sakura was standing in a corner by the door, having slipped in when Naruto barged in.

"Hinata and I are dating, Granny. We're gonna get married when I turn eighteen. You can't do this to us!" Tsunade rolled her eyes at the village's resident drama king.

"Boy, you'd better sit down before I make you sit." Naruto turned his death-glare on her before meeting one of her own. He sat with a huff.

"Why would you ever let this happen? You'd never have done if it had been you!"

"Actually, kid, I did do exactly what Hinata is going to do. I married your grandfather to keep the peace between Fire and Lightning." There were two collective gasps as Tsunade smirked.

"Sometimes we do things that are best for our village. We can't put ourselves first because we are ninja. We do not have the option of being selfish. If Hinata does not marry this man, we will not only risk the destruction of our village, but the entire Ninja world."

"Really? The entire world? Aren't you being just a bit overdramatic?" Naruto's expression made Tsunade want to beat him. She restrained herself, but only barely.

"That's the kunai calling the shuriken metal, isn't it, Naruto?"

"Huh?"

"She means that you've been the one overreacting, Naruto. But then, I'd be upset too if I found out the one I loved was being forced into an arranged marriage." Sakura pulled herself out of the shadows and put a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Why don't we go? I'm sure Hiashi-sama has spoken to Hinata. She'll need your support." Tsunade watched with shrewd eyes as Sakura led her volatile friend away.

"Sakura, stay for a moment." Sakura nodded and pushed Naruto out the door when he looked like he wanted to argue more.

"I'll catch up with you in a sec." The pink haired girl walked slowly back into her mentor's office. "Yes, my lady?"

"You are going to watch him, Sakura. I don't want him to suddenly decide to whisk Hinata away somewhere. I expect that you won't let him out of your sight." Sakura bit back her anger and nodded stiffly.

"Things are not always as they seem, Sakura. You may just understand that someday." Tsunade knew that her words had no effect on the anger bubbling just under the surface of her student's being. She waved the girl away with a sigh, knowing that she'd have a very large insurgence on her hands later.

Kiba paced and growled while Neji held a softly sobbing Hinata. Ino and Tenten sat on either side of him, trying their best to console her. Shino stood close by, his fists clenched in anger. Shikamaru sat across from them, chomping on his cigarette while Chouji munched on his bag of chips. Lee sat next to Chouji, deep in thought.

This was how Sakura and Naruto found the group a few moments later as they strode into the small restaurant.

"Naruto!" Hinata jumped up as she saw him, closing the distance between them as she continued to sob. Sakura stood by the table, trying to process a plan.

"We can't let this happen, you guys. We have to do something."

"There is nothing to do, Sakura. The Clan has made up its mind. If this is Hinata's fate, I do not foresee a positive alternative." Neji's words were like a death knell to the group. Kiba stopped his pacing and Shino's fists relaxed. Despair began to creep upon them.

"No! I can take Hinata and run! We'll go to Suna. Gaara will take us in until I can think of a better place to hide her," Naruto said. Hinata sniffed, looking up at him with a saddened gaze.

"But, Naruto…Ino will have to take my place if I disappear. That wouldn't be right!"

"No one is taking Ino away." The threatening growl in Kiba's voice was enough to send a shiver down Sakura's spine, but it also encouraged her for the battle she knew was to come.

"Then what?" Naruto demanded. "How do we stop this?"

"I don't know, alright? We'll have to think of something!"

"We could kill the guy…." Everyone looked at Shino, surprised.

"No…he is too powerful for that." Sakura said automatically negating his suggestion.

"Suna would be suspected, Naruto. Why not head to Taki for a while?" Shikamaru slouched forward as he spoke, but his fingers were cupped in their trademark 'think' position.

"Right!" The group began to plan, a sense of rightness sweeping over them. Sakura alone was quiet, knowing a scapegoat would be needed. Ino and Hinata were out, but someone needed to go. Someone needed to be powerful and willing to take on the role of a sacrifice…but who?

Night was falling quickly upon the large village, and the snow was getting stronger. Along the eastern wall of the village, a small group of young ninja were henging themselves into shadows, hiding their tracks and watching for patrols. Tsunade had not actually set up a perimeter as she did not take seriously her grandson's determination, but ANBU was always about. It helped that Sakura had conned Sai into helping them. He had promised to lead his team far away from the wall.

Naruto, Hinata, Sakura and Shikamaru quickly and silently scaled the wall and landed on the other side. Two large packs were waiting for them, hidden under brush and snow. The two elopers were dressed in winter wear, camouflaged for forest travel. Ino, Kiba and Akamaru joined them seconds later. They too were dressed for undercover travel. It had been decided that Ino and Kiba would head to Suna, while Hinata and Naruto went to Taki.

"Were you followed?" Kiba looked over his shoulder and sniffed the air.

"No." Shikamaru nodded and handed both Naruto and Kiba a scroll.

"Take these. If you have an emergency along the way, these will come in handy. Also, once it's safe for you to return, I'll send you a message."

"Thank you, Shikamaru. I know this could get you into some serious trouble. You don't know how much this means to me." Ino hugged him tight, and then turned to Sakura. "You, too Forehead. I owe ya one." They hugged and Ino trudged to a waiting Kiba. They climbed up onto Akamaru's back, for the dog would have surer footing and a better sense of smell in the snowy dark. With a final salute, the three were off.

Naruto and Hinata came out from under the large pine, having made sure everything was prepared for the trip.

"It's too dark for the both of you to navigate these woods alone. Do either of you have a Summons to help you?" Surprised by Shikamaru's question, Naruto laughed and mumbled,

"Gamabunta and Gamakichi would freeze if I asked them to come here now. My Summons are kinda useless." Hinata shyly spoke up.

"I--I have a Summons." The other three ninja looked at her in slight shock. She'd never indicated having one before….

Hinata just blushed harder and pulled out a tattered scroll. She slit her thumb with a kunai and slid the wounded finger across the faded ink of the scroll.

"Kuchiyose No Jutsu!"

A large white fox appeared with a pop. The animal regarded the three before her and sniffed.

"Wow, Hinataaa…you sure picked a freezing day to summon me. What can I do for you?" The white fox's voice sounded soft, but the playful note was highly reminiscent of Naruto.

"Kuenai, if you would be so kind, Naruto and I need a guide to Taki at the edge of Water. Can you take us?" Large blue eyes stared shrewdly for a moment at the blonde headed boy who had begun to fidget. His chakra was massive, dark…and fox-like. Kuenai decided she liked this boy whom her partner had chosen.

"I will take you. In fact, I'll do you one better. I can carry the both of you all the way to Taki." With a whoop, that caused Sakura to threaten him into silence, and a smile Naruto helped Hinata onto the fox's back and hugged Sakura goodbye. He shook hands with Shikamaru and promised to take care of the heiress in front of him.

"See ya soon, guys!" With that, Kuenai turned and darted away into the night. Sakura turned to her partner in crime and sighed.

"So, I suppose we face the lions?"

"We are going to be in deep hell, that's for sure. You know we could be arrested for treason, Sakura." The girl nodded.

"But, if there is a replacement for Ino and Hinata…."

"Tenten can't go. She has no Kekkei Genkai."

"Well, then, I suppose we'll have to find someone else." Shikamaru groaned.

"This is all so troublesome."

"WHAT IN BLOODY HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" Tsunade stood rigidly in front of her desk, glaring at the two young shinobi in front of her. "Do you realize that you might have put all four of them in terrible danger? I specifically told you to watch him, Sakura. How in the hell does one of my top ninja allow the most brazen of people outside the village? I gave you a direct order and you disobeyed me. By sending them out into the forest, you have exposed them to not only our enemies, but the weather. Take a look outside, you two. The snow isn't exactly letting up."

Indeed, if anything the weather had gotten worse. Konoha's streets were now hidden by several layers of snow and ice. The electric lines running to and from the tops of the village buildings sagged with the added weight of the snow. The flakes of frozen water rained down like cherry blossoms in the spring. Sakura clenched her fists to keep from speaking up. She had never felt so guilty in all of her life, but the memory of Hinata's face when she thought she would be traded for peace kept Sakura still.

"My Lady, if I may-"

"You will not speak, Nara. I am severely disappointed in you. Of all the people in the world, I never would have expected you to betray this village. Now, you will tell me where they are, or-"

"Lady Tsunade! Hinata is gone!"

"My Lady, Ino has disappeared as well!" lords Yamanaka and Hyuga were ushered in by a shaken Shizune.

"My apologies, my Lady. I couldn't stop them."

"Its fine, Shizune. Gentlemen, please come in and sit down." Sakura felt her stomach drop. Inoichi-san would never forgive her for this, and she didn't even want to think of Hyuga-sama.

After explaining the situation to the fathers, Sakura and Shikamaru were subjected to a tirade of threats, curses and demands for whereabouts. A loud knock on the door interrupted the shouting, and Tsume Inuzuka forced her way inside, followed by the Rookie Nine, Guy's team and Sai. Tsunade's office quickly became a circus of yelling and mayhem.

"QUIET!" Tsunade slammed her fist against her desk, cracking it in two and silencing the other people in the room.

"Sakura, explain to me why Hinata and Ino are not here."

"Hinata doesn't want to become some mystery guy's bride. She wants to be with Naruto."

"I won't allow it!"

"Silence! And Ino?"

"Well, we figured that if Hinata wasn't here, then you'd force Ino to go in her stead. Kiba and Naruto volunteered to escort them to safe houses. I couldn't… I couldn't in good conscience force my friends from making the only escape they had. Besides, Lady Tsunade, you know that Naruto's Bunshin technique is hard to overcome." Tsunade rubbed her temples and sighed. Sakura was lying through her teeth, but the fathers of the missing girls didn't know that. How she was going to fix this was definitely becoming a very large problem. She snapped her fingers and two ANBU appeared at the windows. They slid inside silently.

"Report."

"Ma'am, we couldn't track them. The ice and snow has hidden any traces of their paths. Hana Inuzuka sent us a missive saying that she and her dogs were unable to continue their trail. She is heading back as we speak." Silence stifled the inhabitants of the room.

"Well, Sakura, it seems that you have royally screwed up this entire mission. How do you propose to fix it? There are not any more females who fit the description desired for a bride. What am I to do now?" the question was a baited one, but Sakura had been pondering on it herself.

"My Lady, I believe there is only one choice in this situation."

"And that would be?"

"Send me. I will go and marry the Yukikage in place of Hinata."

"Itachi, it is time." Fuyu and Nadare stood shoulder to shoulder in the doorway. The young man stood with confidence, turning towards them as if he weren't blind at all. Hyouzan stood as well, awaiting Itachi's move. The young ninja tangled his fingers in the soft fur of his companion, able to see the room through the vibrations in Hyouzan's body.

"Remember to trust us, Itachi. As a clan and a pack, we trust one another." Hyouzan's words had the desired effect upon the Uchiha. Itachi's heart rate slowed and leveled out, and he stepped forward with confidence.

It was a somber walk throughout the compound, and not a word was spoken until they reached deep inside the mansion. Itachi had become good at getting around this place, but suddenly the wolves made several sharp turns and the young man was lost. They stopped suddenly and a door slid open. The cold, bitter wind blasted Itachi in all of its fury.

"Where exactly are we going, Fuyu?"

"Inside the mountain, pup. That is the only safe place to perform the ceremony." Itachi nodded.

They came to a stop and Itachi could hear the sound of a large stone creaking and groaning as it rolled aside. They continued onward for what seemed like hours. Finally, after walking far into the mountain, they came to a stop. Hyouzan led Itachi further in, stopping in what Itachi assumed was the center of the cavern.

"Itachi, now is the time you must trust me to know what I am doing. However, should you choose to refuse this gift, say so now." Fuyu's voice was strong and commanding, but Itachi could sense the apprehension. Should he refuse to take the gift, he ran the risk of being cast out of the Clan. Were this to happen, Itachi would most likely die.

"Itachi, do you accept the gift and the burden of the Wolf Clan?"

"I do." Itachi refused to be afraid. He would take this power and control it, and he would be everything he had been born to be.

"Then step forward and remove your shirt."

The Uchiha shed his overcoat and shirt, breathing deep as the frigid air caressed his exposed chest. He could hear and smell other wolves standing quietly in a circle. They were chanting, and he could feel the power of many chakras snaking its way up and around him. He sensed Fuyu come to stand beside him.

"Your hand, Itachi." A sharp fang pierced his palm, and Itachi could feel his blood slowly dripping down to the floor. A glow lit up the cavern, and Itachi's damaged eyes picked up the slight change in light. A low, vibrating hum began to permeate the room, adding reasonace to the rhythmic chanting. And then the pain started.

Okay! Have an awesome time reading and reviewing! Big thanks to Juniper11 for betaing this!

Hyouzan-Iceberg

Taki-Waterfall

Kuenai-Mischief