Chapter 2 Lunch at the Akimichis
Disclaimer: Naruto, and all other characters used in this story from the Naruto or Naruto Shippuden anime/manga series are the property of Masashi Kishimoto, Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo and Viz, LLC. I am only borrowing them for free entertainment purposes. I only own my laptop and an over active imagination.
Chouji paced back and forth in the small sitting room, his mother was arranging the kotatsu as he nervously tried to calm himself. "Chouji... please. Calm down dear, she wouldn't be coming if she wasn't interested." Chouji stopped to look at her, then with a sad smile he asked, "The others came interested too, at first, didn't they?"
His mother nodded then seeing him bow his head she shook her head and went back into the kitchen. Her last thoughts were a small prayer 'Kami... please, let her understand him, let her like him, please'. Choume then got busy with the food she had prepared.
Chouji stiffened when he heard the bells, and then watched his mother go to the door. Chouza also came down at the sound of the gate bells. Placing a hand on his son's shoulder he leaned in and whispered, "Just relax son... you're young. If she isn't the one then you will find the right girl." Chouji looked at his father then with a sad smile he nodded, "No... Dad I don't think I can do this again. This is the last time."
Then the two looked up as Hiashi Hyuga and Hanabi entered the parlor to bow. Chouji saw the tiny sister of Hinata and thought, 'Hell... this little thing will think I'm a freak.' Hanabi looked over at him and her first thought was, 'He's so big, but he looks strong... and nice' she gave him a small smile.
Chouji saw her smile and he couldn't believe she wasn't ready to run the other way. He nodded toward her and then he asked, "Would you like to sit down?" Hiashi and Chouza seeing this looked at one another. Chouza then cleared his throat, "Hiashi would you like to see the new rose Choume has coaxed along, it's a deep lavender. It is in the green house." Hiashi seeing the opportunity to leave the two alone the two men excused themselves to walk into the garden.
Choume also smiled and mumbling excuses hustled back into the kitchen. Hanabi not wanting all the mounting stress to get worse then quietly asked a question. "Chouji, what do you want in a wife?" Chouji's eyes widened, no one had asked him that, at least none of the perspective brides had cared enough too. He sat there trying to think of an honest answer for her.
Hanabi held her breath, she didn't want to be a branch member of the Hyuga Clan, but she didn't want to end up in a worse predicament. "I just want a friend, a loving mother for my children, and maybe... well I would like to have a lover who doesn't look at me like I'm a freak." Hanabi listened until he finished then with a frown she asked another question, "Chouji... why would anyone look at you like you're a freak. You are shinobi."
Chouji looked her amazed, only his mother had ever said something like that. So many of the girls left after seeing him in person, complaining they had hoped the pictures were misleading. "You don't think I'm too big?" Hanabi nodded 'no' as she looked him up and down. "You are chunnin and use expansion jutsu, right? Then isn't your size required, you must require a large amount of calories to use such a jutsu?" Chouji had never heard a girl make his size seem so reasonable and acceptable. He felt like she did understand. He nodded with a smile.
"But Hanabi... you are, well tiny. Could we, I mean you... have kids with me?" Hanabi blushed and then answered, "I don't see why not, it's true my mother died at my birth but she had been weak all her life, or fragile as many said. I have never been fragile, I have been sparring and training since I was four. I am kunoichi, I may be small compared to some, but I am strong. If you would like we could have Tsunade-sama or Sakura-chan check me before you commit yourself to this marriage."
Hearing this Chouji knew she had misunderstood his question, bowing his head he explained. "No, no that's not what I meant, though we might want them to check you for your own safety. I meant would you... could you be attracted to me enough to have children?" He looked at her bracing himself for her answer.
Hanabi then understood his concern. Standing up she walked over to him and offered her hand, it was tiny in his own and he felt the warmth of her skin. Chouji looked at her in confusion as he stood up to tower over her. She smiled and then pulled him to the center of the room. Dropping his hand she slowly walked around the big ninja.
Chouji was getting nervous as she silently took in his body from all angles, her hand had felt so nice in his and he liked that she had clasped his firmly, she may be small to him, but she wasn't weak. When she finally completed her walk around she stopped in front of him and looked up into his eyes.
"I think you look very strong Chouji. I know I'm short, but I am not flat chested or scrawny, do you find me unattractive?" Chouji hadn't expected this, she was worried he wouldn't want her? She was petite but also very curvy like her sister. Chouji smiled and then teasingly walked around her slowly he examined her form too. "I think you are very beautiful Hanabi, I would have no problem having children with you... in fact, I think it could be very enjoyable."
Hanabi blushed and giggled at his flirting comment, happy he seemed to be more secure in himself now, he looked relaxed. She felt anger begin to build in her heart at the other women who had made this warrior feel he was unworthy to be their spouse. "I don't know a lot about the producing part, but I think it could be enjoyable also. Hinata seems to think so, she is expecting her first child now." Chouji's brow rose at this news. And he smiled widely at the idea that she thought making babies with him would be enjoyable.
Hiashi and Chouza entered to see them standing together holding hands once again, the two older ninja smiled knowing this could only be a good thing. Choume came in to announce the food to be ready, and they all sat down as a few servants helped to bring in the many dishes.
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Hiashi sat in his office sipping some warm sake that evening, he felt things had gone well. A knock sounded at the door and he bid them to enter. Hanabi came in and bowing she sat across from her father. "Father... I would like to accept Chouji's proposal, however I have one concern." Hiashi frowned and then setting his cup down he asked, "What would that be?"
Hanabi looked directly at her father and asked, "Am I too small to safely deliver Chouji's children?" This is something Hiashi hadn't thought she would have been concerned about. "I do not believe so, your mother had health issues before you were conceived, and while I have never regretted your birth... she was told not to have another child. I wasn't aware she had stopped drinking her birth control tea until she told me she was pregnant again. Your mother was determined to give me a son."
Hanabi was surprised, she had never heard the specifics of her mother's death. She sighed, then looking at her father she simply said, "Father... for her sake I wish I had been a boy." Hiashi smirked and then gave a short laugh, "So did I at one time Hanabi, but I love you as you are."
Hanabi just smiled and bowed her head, she knew her father loved her but he rarely said it. He feared if he showed her and her sister too much affection that they would be targeted by his enemies, some in their very own family. She and Hinata knew many believed their father cold but they knew he was very caring, otherwise she would have been sealed at four. He was hard on them only when it came to them being strong enough to protect themselves, he showed them no emotion in public or others would seek to use them against him.
"Chouji wants me to be examined by Lady Tsunade or Sakura-chan. He only worries about my size." Hiashi nodded, he could understand the concern, it was reasonable. "You will go to the hospital tomorrow then. Is that your only concern?" Looking at her he saw her nod, "Yes father, I think we would do well together, that is my only major concern... though I hope one day we might fall in love like Hinata and Kankuro."
Hiashi put his hand on hers and said, "That is in Kami's hands, but it's only natural to desire it." Hanabi nodded, she had seen many arranged marriages and most were happy, she just couldn't help the tiny part of her who wanted more.
AN: Just a quick word to say I hope you like it so far, and to ask you to please review even if it's only, 'nice' or 'sucks'. Just to give me an idea of how it turned out, Thanks!