Chapter Two
The Heir to Nothing
In Kohona, the rooftops are highways. You could move much faster then a person on the ground and with less people noticing you. It was for that reason that Naruto preferred to stick to the rooftops. Being the village pariah, didn't make his already complicated life any easier, he mused as he took a familiar route to his apartment. More and more buildings seemed foreign to him as he narrowly missed running into a billboard that he swore wasn't there before. Then without warning memories started to play like a record player as his pace lulled to a stop.
(Flashback: The Neutral City of Tetsuya (All Night's Vigil))
"Wow! This is a real city, Ero-Sennin? It's even bigger then Kohona!" Naruto shouted as Jiriya quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Alright, gaki. Listen up. Tetsuya doesn't want anything to do with shinobi. Thinks they cause nothing but problems...which they are right about, but still! If they find out we're anything other then the bright and noble merchants we claim to be we'll be kicked out on our tails." Jiriya said as he looked down at Naruto. "Okay, I'm going to unclamp my hand. Don't say anything stupid." as he moved his hand away he grinned.
"Ah! Don't do that Ero...I mean Argio-san. I don't know where your hand has been, and I don't want to know!" Naruto shouted as Jiriya slapped him on the back of the head. "Hey!"
"That's for disrespect, gaki. You need to learn not to run your mouth!" Jiriya sighed as he explained. "Have you ever considered the consequences if you disrespected a Kage during a trade agreement or attempting to avoid a war?" He watched Naruto's face twitch as he thought about the implications. As he noticed Naruto go pale he added "That's why you have to be careful with your words, Naruto. A sharp one or an offensive one could do more damage then Rasengan in the long run."
Naruto looked thoughtful. "Is that why you made me read the book on proper conduct? I thought it was a load of rubbish personally." Jiriiya sighed as he made a mental note to attempt to try instill proper table manners, since it was apparent that book learning did nothing for him.
"It's not rubbish! It's important that you know how to act in proper society, if you ever want to be Hokage. You still want to be Hokage right, Naruto?"
"Of course! I mean when Obaa-chan retires who's going to take over, huh?" Naruto glared at his sensei. Jiriyia just chuckled as he thought about it carefully.
"Well, I suppose they'd give it to it to Kakashi. He's the only one who has enough techniques to qualify. You only know one hundred different jutus and you still use that screw-ball Tai-jitsu style. You'd never land a hit unless you had a wall to bounce off of, and I'm sure you know that, gaki."
"It still works!"
"Let's take that screw-ball move the Uzumaki Naruto Rendan for example." Jiriya explained as he pulled out a sketch pad. "You tried to copy the initial opener for Omote Renge." He said as he drew a diagram of the five clone tai-jitsu combination. "What you got was an attack that is almost impossible to land on a healthy opponent, due to the nature of requiring five clones to surround an opponent. If you had proper Tai-Jitsu training, you could launch your opponent into the air and create those damn clones in mid-air to deliver an attack keeping the chain going like this diagram!" Jiriya flipped his sketch-pad around as Naruto studied it. "I've been thinking about how to train you, currently I've been just throwing jutsu instruction and various books at you thinking that you'd just pick up on it like the Fourth did. I apologize." He handed Naruto the sketch-pad as he walked off. "I'm going to find a hotel and do some research." he giggled as walked off full pervert mode activated.
(End Flashback)
"I never did understand why he always confused me with the Fourth" Naruto mused as he pulled the sketch book out his pack and began to sketch out some new ideas he had about the initial Tai-Jitsu move Jiriya showed him thinking about the mentor
(Break)
Tsunade had quickly recovered from the initial shock of loss. She had dealt with it far too often for her liking. She had other things she needed to do right now. She pulled the scrolls she had been studying out and quickly glanced through them making sure she was correct about this law and set them aside as a genin entered quietly and ushered Hyuuga Hiashi into her office. "Greetings, Hyuuga-sama" she said respectfully as he entered with the grace only a Hyuuga could muster and sat down in the chair she offered him.
"I assume you chose to waste both our time to attempt to interfere with my clan's rules per usual, Hokage-sama?" Hiashi stated sweeping the formalities out of the window. Tsunade kept her face still as possible, her eyes boring into to Hiashi's skull.
"As you know, forced marriage is against Kohona law. It doesn't matter if the person in question is a member of a noble family or not." Tsunade said her voice as solid as steel.
"Ah, but Hokage-sama I am allowed by clan treaties by to select suitors for a member of my clan, and if she refuses any suitor from a noble clan, I am perfectly allowed to arrange a marriage without consent and Hinata has refused suitors from all currently eligible families. Therefore, I see no reason why I cannot simply marry her off and be done with it." Hiashi smiled a cat's smile as he basked in the idea of him outwitting the Legendary Sucker.
Tsunade allowed her anger to ebb as she imagined applying her strength into his head. Calm down, you old rogue she thought to herself, I still have one last card to play, Shizune this better work. "You would be right except on one point. You haven't applied for suitors from all the noble familes, Hyuuga-sama."
Hiashi almost allowed his confusion to be openly shown on his face as he did some mental calculations. He said gently as if schooling a child "Whatever can you mean Tsunade-sama?" That did it, Tsunade decided as she allowed a bit of her diabolical grin to shine through as Hiashi became instantly wary.
"What I mean, Hiashi-sama." she began dropping the Hyuuga deliberitly. "Is that you forgot a certain noble family with a member just Hinata's age."
"Which one!" Hiashi demanded as his icy composure broke for a second. Tsunade only smiled as she poured some Sake into a small clay cup and offered it to Hiashi who only stared at Tsunade with an expression of sour milk.
"The Uzumaki Clan."
(Break)
"Shizune. I'm not setting my dogs out on Naruto." Kakashi explained patiently to the chief assistant to Tsunade. "He needs rest."
"This isn't a request, Kakashi-san." Shizune stated as she tossed a paper at him. "This is an A-Ranked mission."
"To get Naruto into formal clothing and at the Hokage's office within the hour?" Kakashi read as he mused. "Alright, but I expect double pay. This isn't going to be easy."
(Break)
Hinata paced nervously around her room, her hands clutched at her side. Her father was at the Hokage's Office...most likely deciding her future. "Ano...why has father pursued this route? He was always content to just ignore me."
"Perhaps, he's found out about your extra training or the fact that you deliberately lost to Hanabi-san?" said Neji as he walked into the room. "Hinata-sama, you have to stop holding out for someone to come to your aid and do it yourself."
"Neji-kun...if I don't become head of the Hyuuga clan, I'll never be able to remove that curse seal once and for all!" Hinata said her nervous poster dropped. "I have to stop our clan from enslaving itself!"
"Then you must make your stand here, Hinata-sama. The Branch House has been praying for freedom, yearning for it. That's why we support you."
"Then what must I do?"
"I've been sent to fetch you to our father. There's one more suitor the Hokage has found. I believe your best option is to enter every inch a Hyuuga Princess. If the man is unsuitable, make your stand. If worse comes to worse, apply for emancipation." A small Hyuuga woman entered the room holding a kimono. "Are you ready?"
(Break)
Naruto put his pencils back into his bag as he looked at his diagram. It was crude, but it worked. The sky was totally dark now as Naruto laid back and looked at the stars twinkling in the sky. They never gave hateful stares or ever wished you were dead. They just winked, like they knew something that no-one else did.
"I bet you're up there right now, Ero-Sennin. I bet right now, you're peeping in the greatest bathhouse ever created, but I still remember what you said that day." Naruto said to the stars as out of the corner of his eyes two people landed on the other side of the building with a dog leading them. "Crap!" Naruto swore as he grabbed a Kunai that was tucked into the underwire of his jacket and threw it at the two and scrambled into a defensive position.
"Naruto. Don't you know it's rude to throw kunai at your sensei?" Kakashi said to Naruto as he and Shizune approached. He tossed the kunai back to Naruto who caught it and tucked it away. Shizune embraced the young man she had come to see as younger brother.
"You look healthy, Naruto-san." she said as she looked him over. She then nodded as Kakashi moved into action forming hand-seals. Naruto's body stiffened into paralysis and tipped over as Shizune giggled. "Good job, Kakashi."
"Shigai: Hyouketsu (Body: Freeze) no Jutsu, is an advanced technique used by the Hidden Mist ANBU, compared to a normal body freeze it's ten times more powerful allowing a person to be held for over thirty minutes but if even the smallest bit of pain happens, the user breaks free. Useful, eh Naruto?" Kakashi remarked as Shizune opened a bag pulling out a kimono and various cleaning products and quickly went to work.
(Break)
As Shizune bustled the frozen teenager into the Hokage's Tower's lobby she pushed Naruto into a corner and flicked his forehead hard breaking the technique.
"Ow." Naruto whined as he looked at himself. "Where am I? Why am I back in the Hokage's Tower?" He then noticed the formal kimono he was wearing and almost let out yell. "Ah! Rape!" Shizune quickly put her hand in his mouth quieting the hyper-active ninja.
"Okay, Naruto. Listen to me." Shizune said as she removed her hand from Naruto's mouth and continued. "You have an appointment with the Hokage in ten minutes. This is a very important appointment. Just go along with whatever Tsunade-sama says. Can you do that?"
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked as Shizune put a finger to her lips signaling quiet.
"Turn towards the wall." Naruto turned as she mouthed out "I can't tell you much, but it has to do with the Hyuuga Clan, the Head of the Clan is attempting to make sure that no one will change the Head and Branch families. The curse seal in particular."
"I told Neji, I would change the Hyuuga, and I never break a promise. What do I got to do!?." Naruto said as his face flushed in anger.
"Just go up there and go with whatever Tsunade-sama is suggesting." Shizune said as Naruto nodded. "Now, go get 'em." Naruto stopped himself from charging as he walked to the elevator and entered it. As he disappeared from eyesight, Shizune smirked.
"That was easy."
(Break)
Hiashi and Tsunade were locked in a staring contest when Hinata was ushered into the Hokage's Office. Neither one of them wanted to break their staring contest, but turned and Tsunade had to fight back a smile. Hinata was dressed in a formal kimono of the Hyuuga clan, with her long hair straighted and interlaced with lilies, the flower of the Hyuuga. Her headband served as her sash of her kimono signifying her alliance to Kohona. She bore an air of gentleness and confidence as she bowed to each one of them. "Hokage-sama, Hyuuga-sama." she said gently.
"Stand behind me, Hinata." Hiashi said firmly. As she moved behind his chair her demeanor almost cracked as she fought against muttering an apology. Stay strong, Hinata Tsunade thought. If she cracked she'd just play into Hiashi's hands. "Where is this suitor of yours, Hokage-sama. I have many offers from non-noble familes, that I'd like to address." Hinata blanched at this.
Tsunade smiled as she said "He'll be here shortly. He came in from a great distance." Hiashi snorted at this and Hinata if anything looked more nervous. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the door begin to open. "If I'm not mistaken he's here right now."
(Break)
Hinata tensed as she watched the door open. I wish Naruto could save me, she thought as she sent up a prayer to whoever was listening. Maybe they would listen to her for a change. Fate is fickle, Hinata-sama. It will give you people and things you care about, and then take them awayNeji-kun said that once...this could be the worse trick of fate. As the Genin who was serving as a secretary entered her breath caught.
"Hokage-sama, your guest has arrived." the Genin said as a blond haired teenager entered a determined expression on his face. Wearing a black kimono stitched with orange silk thread in the style of tornadoes across the front, and on the back was the swirl pattern typically seen on the back of Naruto's uniform. Hinata fought down a blush as she realized what this meant.
(Break)
"Thank you, Uzumaki-sama for coming on such sort notice." Tsunade said as her right hand slipped underneath her desk and formed a seal. "Shiantouei no Jutsu (Thought Projection)" she whispered as she sent out a thought. -Oi, gaki! Can you hear me? Just nod if you do. If you shout about any voices in your head, I'll make Kyuubi look like a kitten. -
Naruto's head jerked as if he was looking behind him but he nodded ever so slightly which made Tsunade ease up inside. -Play along with me, gaki. Just act respectful and address them as Hinata-sama and Hyuuga-sama.-
(Break)
Naruto was still confused as he attempted to greet them in what was attempted to be a demure tone of voice but came out almost rudely casual. "Greetings, Hyuuga-sama. I..."
Tsunade quickly sent a thought out to him -...trust all is well with you.-
"Trust all is well with you" Naruto finished as he bowed ever so slightly and then turned to Hinata. "It's good to see you again, Hinata."
-Hinata-sama. You have to maintain the formal attitude at all costs.- Tsunade nearly screamed inside Naruto's head and winced herself. The reverberation of the jutsu were almost as bad as actually screaming.
Hiashi frowned at the distinctly un-formal usage of his daughter's name. "You know my daughter, Uzumaki-san?" Tsunade frowned at this.
"They've been sent on missions before, and are currently being entered in the Chuunin exams together, Hyuuga-sama." Tsunade said testily.
"So...that explains it." Hiashi said as he sent a pointed look at Hinata. She shrank back ever so slightly almost as if she was struck by the sheer power of his stare. Naruto frowned as he just sent a concerned stare at Hinata and clenched his right fist. Hiashi did not fail to notice this and proceeded on. "Let's cut to the quick, shall we? You are here as a suitor to my daughter's hand correct? What makes you think you even worthy of marrying a Hyuuga?"
"Don't try to confuse him, Hiashi." Tsunade said dropping all formalities. "You know perfectly well that the Uzumaki Clan was one of the founding clans of Kohona. That gives him the right." Naruto's facial expression quickly turned into one of stupor. Tsunade frowned as she shot a thought, -Hey gaki! Snap out of it. I'll explain later. Just go along with it!-
(Break)
Naruto's mind reeled. Marry Hinata? This has got to be some sort of twisted dream, he remarked to himself as he attempted to think about a suitable come back. He was quickly choosing I'm not a twisted bastard like you when Tsunade chimed in. -Stay polite, Naruto!- Naruto pursed his lips as he said "My family's and my dedication to Kohona makes me worthy, Hyuuga-sama."
Tsunade took this opportunity to add "Hiashi, even before the Kyuubi's attack, Naruto would still be considered nobility. Uzumaki Vashi, brother of Uzumaki Yashino, the Forth Hokage was his father. "
"I'm not talking about his family line." Hiashi spat as Hinata looked almost fearful. "I'm talking about his assets. From what I've heard, the Uzumaki Clan has nothing but it's name to it's coffers. It's traditional family housing was sold off to a wealthy merchant ten years ago and all the Uzumaki Clan Techniques are all but lost. What does the Hyuuga Family gain from marrying the next...clan head to a family that has nothing to offer the Hyuuga? I don't give my daughters away to misers, Tsunade."
"Which is why you're planning to marry her off to Gekkoi Urkai, Hiashi?" Tsunade shot back. Naruto's eyes widened at this. Gekkoi Urkai is like sixty, he remembered the stiff old man at the bank who forced his bankers to accept his deposits. "I suppose the amount of money you'd make from the deal, and the control of five banks in Kohona makes it worth ruining your daughter's life?"
"My daughter isn't worthy of leading the clan. Weaklings have no place as leaders." Naruto's fist clenched even tighter as Hinata only looked down at her feet. "A Main Branch Hyuuga should be able to defeat her younger sister in combat. A Main Branch Hyuuga should be a Chuunin before the others in her class, if not a Jounin. My daughter is a disgrace to the Hyuuga name."
" Hinata...is...not weak." Naruto growled lightly as he glared fiercely at the Head of the Hyuuga Clan. "The only thing weak about her is the support she gets from those who should care about her."
"Enough, Naruto. Hiashi, it's not your choice. Clan and Kohona law says that she may accept any legitimate suit. It's your daughter's choice not yours." Tsunade shot in before the two men could escalate the argument.
"Hinata is a dutiful daughter. She understands her place in the clan. She'll refuse his suit just like the others and marry who I say she'll marry." Hiashi said in dagger-like tones. "But, go ahead and present your engagement gift, if you are so confident, boy."
Uh, oh. Engagement gift? Nobody told me anything about an engagement gift, Naruto nearly screamed in his head as he thought about what girls liked, Let's see...Ero-Sennin said that women liked only three things...chocolate...don't have any of that and I don't think that would be a suitable engagement gift...fluffy things...no...she works with Akamaru all day, she must not need something fluffy...besides, I don't think they'd appreciate me summoning a toad...jewelry...wait...I got it! Naruto reached behind his neck and unclasped the necklace that once belonged to the First Hokage. Okay, next step is to say something real cool so I'll impress her father, he thought as he tried to remember how you proposed to a girl. Well...I guess I could kneel like they do in Ichi Ichi Romance in Paradise. "Hyuuga Hinata, this necklace once belonged to a woman who thought I couldn't accomplish the impossible." Naruto said shooting a look at Tsunade who only looked innocent. "This necklace means that I will change the Hyuuga, just like I swore two years ago, but this time I won't be changing them alone. Will you marry me?"
(Break)
"Will you marry me?" Naruto said and time stopped for Hinata. Her dream boy just asked her to marry him. She fought against what she usually did when Naruto did anything other then say hello in front of her...faint.Think clearly, Hinata she told herself Naruto doesn't know...he's just doing it because the Hokage asked him to...but then he doesn't think I'm weak...and he wants to change the Hyuuga...with me. She didn't respond for a few seconds as her father only stared at her with those hateful eyes that made her want to crawl into a ball and die. But, Father will... she thought as broke it off.
"Hinata will not marry you, boy." Hiashi said with a smirk. "She knows her place. At my side. Doing my bidding. She's not strong enough to change that." Hinata flushed in embarrassment and deep inside of her anger stirred.
Hinata looked into Naruto's eyes and everything became clear. She stepped forward and knelt in front of him accepting the crystal necklace and allowed Naruto to fasten the clasp around her neck. "I-I ac-c-cept, your proposalUzumaki Naruto."
(Chapter Two: End)
(Author's Notes)
A couple of quick facts, fyis. Yes, I'm back. Yes, it's all right for them to be talking about marriage right now, they are still in a feudal soicety with strict laws. No, Naruto doesn't love her...yet. No, they aren't going to be making out by chapter three. No, getting to married statis won't be that easy for them. Yes, it's going to be hilarious watching Hiashi's antics next chapter. Please, review if you enjoyed it or have complaints. I think this chapter is of signifigantly higher quality then last chapter. I'm looking for a Beta Reader/Editor. Please Email me at Grizzlyunderthere yahoo . com.
Enjoy,
Matt.