Chapter 17: If This Be Forfeit…Then Let It Be So

Hyga Compound, Meeting House of Elders, 12:15 pm

"Hinata is rebellious and should be removed from the title of heir! We cannot have such a defective being as our leader!"

"Give Hinata time! She has proven time and time again that she has the skill and abilities to lead this clan! She is stronger than what she used to be! Why are you so set against her?"

"She has had enough time. Go on with the wedding…her marriage to Takuya is the only thing that will solve this disaster. If….that is if they are still willing to have her."

"Hinata-sama is a strong willed woman. No doubt she will the perfect leader for the clan…there is no question about that. But when? And that Neji…"

"Neji has corrupted her! He and that damn free thinking of his! This is his entire fault! We should have chosen someone else as her "kounsha"."

They argued back and forth. They had been at this for hours, some arguing on Hinata's behalf and other's against her. It had not been easy after the fight between the two Houses. Hiashi sighed.

When had all of this come to into play? He never thought he'd see the day when a meeting such as this would take place, but he knew it was bound to happen someday…just not now. Not now.

Hiroshi sat by Hiashi observing the commotion. He was thoroughly delighted with himself. No…thoroughly delighted was an understatement…he was trigger gun-go happy.

So far things had gone as planned…Hinata, by looks of it would be forced to marry Takuya, and no one could do anything about it. He was sure that was what Hiashi was going to say…

"Hiashi…do what you know is right." Hiroshi encouraged.

"If Hinata were to be allowed to keep doing this think of the consequences…I only want what's best for her and the clan. Hinata is like the daughter I never had…" Hiashi's brows furrowed. Hiroshi had always helped him make decisions…he was his best advisor. He would never lead him astray.

"Hinata is my daughter…I want what is best for both our people and her. But at the price of peace?" Hiroshi shook his head.

"Think of the clan's future…if things continue like this…" Hiroshi smirked. He had him. Hiashi stood; demanding the attention of everyone in the room.

"Hinata and Takuya will be married three days from now. Joining the two most powerful cla

ns in the Fire Country." Hiashi sat down. He had made his decision. He had done what he thought was right.

--

"Hinata…could I talk to you for a moment?" Hinata turned from her place at the table to face Tsunade. She became uneasy as she saw Tsunade's grave face.

"It's ok, Hinata." Sakura urged. Hinata crossed the kitchen into the bedroom. Neji sat up when she walked in. His face was blank and pale, his eyes were deep. It's looked as if the life had been sucked right out of him.

"Please sit, Hinata-sama. This might take awhile."

--

Hiashi sat at his desk. His head was in his hands as he contemplated the day's events. The council, the elders, the clan…Neji, Hinata. Hiashi sighed as he remembered his youngest daughter's words that afternoon.

"Where is Hinata-neesama?" Hanabi had been hurt in the fight. Though her injuries weren't serious, they weren't anything to ignore either.

"That has nothing to do with you. Rest and I will allow you to see Hinata." Hiashi brushed the hair from his youngest daughter's face. Even though Hanabi had a talent for hiding her true feelings, Hiashi knew that she was affected by this.

He didn't want Hinata and Neji's behavior to negatively influence Hanabi. This situation had to put under control.

"Dad…are you sad?" Hanabi stared into her father's eyes. Hiashi seemed startled and looked onerously at Hanabi.

"Why would I be that?"

"You used to smile…a lot when Hinata-neesama and I were little. I remembered you smiled a lot, but even now that's changed."

"I've always been like this, Hanabi." His tone was sharp.

"Mother…wouldn't want to see you like this. She would be sad to know you changed so much. Hinata-neesama…and I are sad."

Hiashi didn't know how to respond to Hanabi's sudden confession. He could feel his heart breaking as his little girl's eyes filled with hot tears. He couldn't feel…he couldn't move. All he could do was take her hand, and stay with her until she fell asleep.

"I'm sorry, Hanabi. I'm sorry…Hinata."

--

"So…there is no other way?" Hinata's voice broke through the silence. Neji could only look at her forlorn face; at a loss for words. Hinata didn't cry in fact she conveyed no emotion whatsoever…this worried him.

"I'm sorry Hinata…but this is the only solution I can think of." Tsunade's face remained unmoving.

"I understand." Hinata nodded.

"Are you sure about this Hinata? I don't want to force anything on you…but this is the only way. I've explained what I want you, Naruto, Neji and the others to do. Just play along until we can get this straight…"

Hinata smiled.

"Of course Tsunade-sama. This is the only way. Neji-niisan." Neji who had been staring at the wall, turned his full attention onto his younger cousin.

"Yes, Hinata-sama?"

"We're going home."

--

Hyuga Compound, 3: 25 pm

The man sat on a window seat looking out into the sunlight. Man, things had happened so fast…he wondered was anything really worth everything? He was sure that his accomplice would make the right decisions concerning Hinata's future and the clans. But this was too much to take in. After all…he hadn't seen Hinata in years. Or Takuya for that matter.

He lifted himself off the seat carefully…all those years of fighting had really taken their toll on his weakened, but still capable body.

He sighed. What in the world was Hiroshi thinking? Had the man gone mad after he had been gone for all those years? He shook his head. All though…what Hiroshi wanted wasn't far from his own desires…so could he really blame him?

No…he guessed he couldn't.

--

"So…you're really going to go through with it, huh?" Naruto hung his head. After all they had done…she was really going to go back? They sat in the quite room, tension filled to the brim.

"Naruto, there's nothing else I can think of…this is the only way to end all of this! If Hinata doesn't marry Takuya then there's no way we can confirm if what Neji says it true. If she does there's a high possibility that he will make his move after the wedding. Do you understand now?" Naruto looked at the cold wooden floor. He didn't want to understand…he didn't want to let Hinata go…he didn't want her to marry someone else. But…

"I understand, Granny Tsunade. Even though…I don't want to."

"It's not a matter of if you want to or not, Naruto. Think about Hinata's and Neji's well being. With things like they are now I'm sure that Hiashi is having a fit. You already saw what happened at Uchiha Manor and the Hyuga Compound. Do you want a repeat of that night?"

Naruto hung his head. How had it come to be like this? Why did things have to end this way? All his life he had been able to keep his promises…to keep his ninja way…but…

Somehow…he would have to save her. He couldn't let Hinata go and yet he had no choice…he was confused. He was so confused. Hinata stood.

Her jaw was set. Her fist was clenched and her eyes were set.

"I'm going to do this, Naruto-kun. I won't let anyone be hurt anymore! I'm going to do this…"

"B-but Hinata! What about what you want? You don't have to do this!" Sakura stood up. Sasuke placed his hand on her trembling shoulder, but she brushed it off. She was determined. She would let Hinata ruined her life by marrying someone like Takuya.

"You can't do this, Hinata! Think of everything you've ever stood for! What about yours and Naruto's dream? What about growing up and getting married? What about you have kids and everything? Don't you understand that once you do this you can't-"

"I know what I'm doing, Sakura! It's because I can't go back that I carry on this burden!" Hinata yelled. Her fist were clenched tight; tight enough to draw blood…and it came. Naruto covered her smaller hands in his much larger ones.

"I'm so sorry Hinata…I…I don't want you too. But if that's really what you want…" Naruto looked away. How could it end like this?

My computer ans this stupid site has been messing up! It hasn't been letting my save my documents and I don't know why...I'm on a friends computer tonight...well I'm sorry for the wait :( i hope you enjoyed this chapter