Chapter 24: Step into the Past, Part 3
Hyuga Main House Courtyard, 2:00 pm
I wonder…if she will come.
Hiashi sighed. It had been years since he had last seen the black haired beauty from his youth.
Not that it would do much good…it turned out to be a disaster thanks to Neji and his cohorts. But Fujiko should be coming up for the wedding. I haven't seen her in so long…I wouldn't know what to say to her…after all these years.
"Outo-sama? I made tea." Hiashi turned to see Hinata carrying a wooded tray with tea and a comfortable expression. He motioned for her sit next to him. Hinata sat quietly and smiled when she took a seat next to her father.
Hiashi observed her through peripheral vision. She didn't seem to be forcing herself to smile.
I thought she would be more concerned that her wedding is coming up to Takuya. Instead she seems calm and almost eager.
"How are the last minute wedding preparations, Hinata?" Hiashi asked inquiring.
"They're going fine, Outo-sama. My Uchikake is finished."
"You're not going to wear the Shiromuku?"
"I can change it if it displeases you, Outo-sama."
"No. Whatever you think is appropriate."
"Yes."
Hinata sipped her tea, watching as the children ran around the yard chasing each other and laughing.
They're having so much fun…laughing like that. I remember when Neji-niisan and I used to laugh and play in the courtyard. We had so much fun together!
"Are you ready for your wedding, Hinata?" Hinata stiffened. She looked down in her tea cup and fiddled with her kimono sleeve.
"Honestly, Outo-sama. I'm not. I'm not looking forward to the wedding at all." Hiashi nodded.
"I wouldn't be either if I were you."
Outo-sama! You're not helping me at all!
"I owe you an apology, Hinata."
"Wha-?"
"I said words that should never be said to my daughter. I treated you harshly and lost almost all confidence in you. Will you forgive me?" Hinata noticed her father was not looking at her, but rather had a faraway look in his eyes.
"I've been a bad example of what a father should be. To Hanabi and to you." Hinata gasped.
Outo-sama…
"Outo-sama…don't you still want me to marry, Takuya?" Hinata could feel her heart breaking. She knew the answer so why did she ask?
"I never wanted you to marry Takuya. I only wanted what was best for you and the clan. I never intended to cause you such pain." Hiasih stood.
Hinata noticed he seemed different. As if a huge weight had been lifted off his chest and now he could breath. The tenseness in his shoulders she had become so accustomed to seeing lost its control.
"I love Naruto…I will always love Naruto, Outo-sama."
"I'm not asking you to fall in love him, Hinata. I know that you will never love him and that's understandable. I just wanted you to take my place someday. With the right man…whoever he may be." The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
Hinata took that for a well concealed smile.
--
"Are you doing well, Fujiko-chan?" Chihiro sat next to her young friend. Fujiko sat up, her small hands on her ever growing stomach. Fujiko smiled. She let herself relax.
"Chihiro-sama."
At first she didn't notice it…the coldness in the way she said her name. The small sliver of resentment that coated her words oh so thinly.
"Ah! Fujiko-chan! I brought you flowers! They're your favorite!" Chihiro presented her with a bouquet of yellow daisies. Fujiko gently took the flowers from her, smiling.
"I used to have those traits…" Chihiro winced. What was this atmosphere?
"But I'm afraid my loyalty and love has run out, Chihiro-sama."
--
"What do you mean I still have to get married!?" Chihiro yelled at the council of men around her.
"It's catastrophe for you to lose such a reliable man! We must find another candidate for you soon! We're lucky that other clans did not get hold of what happened or we would be the laughing stock of the crop!"
"Chihiro-sama…you always said you wouldn't mind marrying-"
"But it was to be a man of my choice!" The men around her winced. They had thought Chihiro marrying Hiroshi would have been good for her and the clan. But since the problems with Hiroshi…everything had fallen around their ankles.
Hiroshi was gone…banished from the clan. He was the only man Chihiro would take into consideration.
"I propose an alternate route, Chihiro-sama." An older man stood.
"What is it? I hope you know I won't marry any of you old bastards." The room burst into laughter.
"Chihiro-sama…if you would marry me…" Hiasih stood. He grinned.
"Hah! What would make you think I would marry you, the object of my dear friend's displeasure and the reason for his shame?"
"I'm your only option." The other nodded and one voiced his agreement.
"Hiashi-sama is right! He is the only perfect candidate for you. You should take this chance, Chihiro-sama."
"Hiashi is engaged to Fujiko and she is expecting his child! You will be putting her to embarrassment! What would I look like doing something so disgraceful?! I won't hear-"
"We will find Fujiko another man. I'm sure she won't mind. After all it was an arranged marriage. Things like this happen…it is for the good of the clan."
Chihiro fumed.
"And what would you call this?!"
"A marriage of convenience."
--
"B-but Fujiko-chan! You don't have to leave!" Chihiro grabbed the bag by the door throwing it back into the room. Fujiko frowned, picking it up.
"I told you I can't stay here! I don't want to stay here!" Fujiko yelled. Chihiro stood in the doorway, blocking Fujiko's path. Her chest heaved up and down rapidly in a fury. The servants looked to each other unsure of what to do.
"You're not going anywhere without my consent, young lady! Now tell me who this man is!"
"He's from the Michimoe clan, Chihiro-sama…he is the father of my child." Chihiro felt her world spiral down.
"F-father? Don't joke with me! You were supposed to marry Hiashi! That's Hiashi's child isn't it?!"
"Hiashi-san proposed to you didn't he?! He doesn't love me at all!" Chihiro gulped. How did she know about that? She had asked the elders not to speak about it because she knew it would upset Fujiko…or worse.
"Who told you that lie?!"
"Hiashi-san told me himself! He told me he didn't love me, Chihiro-sama and that he couldn't marry me! What more do you want?!" Fujiko collapsed to floor, holding her bulging stomach.
"Fujiko-chan!" Chihiro wrapped her arms around her.
"Fujiko please! Don't leave me! Hiroshi already left! Please…Fujiko don't leave me to. Please…"
--
"Oh, my Chihiro-sama! You look so lovely! I'm sure that Hiashi-sama will love the way you look."
"Is Fujiko-chan and Michimoe-dono here?"
"No…Chihiro-sama. But she should be here in a few. Did you know she had her baby two weeks ago?"
"Yes, I heard."
"I hear he's a lovely boy. Just like his father-"Chihiro jerked away from the older woman, her eyes full of anger.
"Don't mention that ever again! Never mention that topic in my presence again!"
The woman seemed surprised, but then nodded. Bowing, she knelt to the floor.
"Please forgive me, Chihiro-sama."
--
Main House, 7: 23 pm
"How is my mother's health? Kisuke…is my mother coming to the wedding?" Takuya stood by the window watching Hinata and Hiashi.
"She says she will come. She wouldn't miss your wedding for anything. She's eager to meet your bride."
"I see…" Takuya stepped away from the window and sat across from Kisuke at the kotatsu. A servant poured tea for him and bowed.
"Hinata…she probably hates me." Takuya smiled.
"It seems as if you don't mind her hating you, Takuya-sama. In fact you seem to be in high spirits…" Takuya sighed.
"Of course I care about that! My wife is going to hate me!" He shook his head...and then looked up as if he remembered something.
"Ah yes, about that thing. Will he be there as well?"
"Which one?"
"Him."
"I wouldn't know. You would have to ask Hiroshi. I hear that there is a show being planned on your wedding night. I wouldn't want to miss it if I were you."
"Show?"
"Yes. A show…full of mystery and murder."
Yes....it will be a show of mystery and murder! Mwhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Man......the next chapter is going to be insane! Anyway....review! I love reviews....reviews to an author is like carrots to a bunny. lol How are those two related? I don't really know....
By the way...just between us girls...I'm cramping like heck! (did i mention my dad was making fun of the way i walk when im cramping? he such a mean old man. lol)