(We did this on the drive back from the beach. That means we're tossing up two updates within the same day. We also wrote chapter 10, but that we don't have time to post tonight.)

Butterflies or Beetles: Chapter 9

By the firelight, she penned a letter that was a response to Choji's original one. She would send it and a photo back to him. That was the custom among clan matters, and beyond that, their fathers and clan councils would see to the rest. Once she sent the missive, the entire situation would be out of her hands, and she would relinquish control to the current heads of their clans.

This would be no small matter, and neither would the courting process, which would be a complicated and aggravating ordeal. Still, she had made her choice, and she was not to be dissuaded.

To Choji Akimichi,

I, Hinata Hyuga have decided to honor your request that was sent to me in full. I will indeed give you my hand in marriage, and in doing so, I will bind myself entirely and completely to the Akimichi clan. If this so pleases you, then please seek me out at your earliest convenience so that we may converse on the topics at hand. I'm sure you will be as eager as I will be to see our respective councils undertake deliberations.

Your betrothed,
Hinata Hyuga.

Sealing the scroll up, she turned to the Hyuga woman that was sitting on the floor in a white hood. It was an older cousin, one that was more closely related to Neji than she ever was to Hinata. This woman was born a branch house member, like her parents before her. Even her infant child would also be branded once the Byakugan showed in her child's eyes.

Hinata could see her fate resting within the markings upon the woman's head. Soon, Hinata would carry those same markings, and for some reason, the woman looked at her with pity. "Is everything quite alright?"

"Yes. However, this is a family mission of the highest priority." Hinata said as she gave the scroll over to the woman. "Take this to Choji Akimichi as soon as day breaks. Tell no one of your mission."

The woman nodded reverently, and then slipped out the door silently. She was one of the finest jonin that the Hyuga clan had…and she was also so low in family ranking that she might as well have been a genin. That's why Hiashi permitted her into the main house, but only if she were to act as a lowly maid. Domestic duties suited the woman, and she had seen after both Hinata when she was a girl, and Hanabi when she was a mere infant.

The council treated her as trash, in fact, they treated her worse than trash. Hinata lifted herself from her seat, she needed to speak to her sister about the matter…she would not wait.

Letting herself into her younger sister's room without an invitation, she sat at the low lying table where Hanabi was busy reason something of little worth. "I've heard about the council's decision."

"Father said that you did." Hanabi closed the comic book that she kept hidden from the rest of her family. "I don't mind who it is, I've always known it would be a member of our clan. Ko, he is a good choice."

"I…I came to tell you…" Hinata licked her lips. "I've made my choice too. I thought I should come to tell you. I've chosen Choji Akimichi."

"I'm not the one you have to tell." Hanabi told her older sister.

"I'm sure you will be married first, and during such time, I will have to give my vows to you." Hinata knew that above all else, she would still be shackled to her sister, even if she did marry Choji. Her loyalty to Hanabi would always, always, come first. If ever the leader of the Hyuga were to face danger, Hinata would have to serve the Hyuga until her sister's safety could be obtained once more. "I felt I should tell you first, because I'd like your approval."

"You don't need it, Hinata." Hanabi said with a laugh. "But you have it...always. Father will also be happy." Hanabi said pleasantly, a grin tugging at her lips. She so adored her elder sibling, very much so. "He was worried you were going to make him choose for you. He didn't say as much to me, but I could see it in his eyes."

"Yes, I know." Hinata carefully pushed her hair behind her ear. "Also, I've come to ask something."

Hanabi was intently listening now. "Anything..."

"Grant me Natsu Hyuga, and her infant child." Hinata said slowly. "Promise custody of their wellbeing over to me."

Hanabi closed her eyes. She loved Natsu as the mother she never had. She couldn't remember her own, and Natsu had always been there for her. As the leader of the Hyuga, she would be able to do that, if she wanted. It was customary to offer the bride something to take with her, and servants were not an uncommon thing to give. "You are asking me to give you our top maid?"

"Only the top maid?" Hinata asked with a small laugh as her younger sister rolled her eyes.

"It's not funny." The young teen huffed, crossing her arms. among them, when they were alone, they never bothered with decorum. Her petulant look broke down into a fit of soft giggles, which Hinata shared in.

Then, after a short time, the laughter died, and Hinata's smile went along with it. "I'm a terrible older sister to you. I've put you in a bad position, and I'm sorry for that. I know that I'm asking a lot in this situation too, but, Neji would want this most of all." Hinata said quietly. "Natsu was good to us, Hanabi…good to all of us, and I just want to protect her."

"You want to keep her child out of the strict tutelage of the Hyuga." Hanabi could already feel her heart break at the thought.

"He's a boy, he'll be sent off to the academy." Hinata murmured.

"I know." Hanabi murmured, her breath like a hiss. "Seeing how you turned out though, I can't really say that I see it as a bad thing." Unlike the Hyuga women who were often trained by the household, young boys were sent to the academy, and, like Neji, assigned to genin teams fresh out of graduation. "If I give them over to you, he will probably still join the academy."

"I can keep him away from ridicule. Also, I will personally train the child if the inevitable happens." Hinata knew, the child would one day carry the Byakugan. She would watch over him. His mother was by no means a weakling either. Hinata wanted to protect the one woman whom they all saw as family, whom they all loved. Most of all, Hinata wanted to protect Natsu's son from his low ranking birth. "He may return to the branch family when he comes of age, but if he doesn't…if he doesn't…I want you to honor that too…"

"I'll do it." Hanabi murmured quietly. "But I'm not just doing this for you…I want you to know that."

"You wouldn't agree if you thought I was being selfish." Hinata said, her soft smile returning once more.

"Hinata…if anything happen to either of them, so help me…it goes without saying what I'll do."

"I know." It was the same punishment everyone received, and Hinata had witnessed it several times before. "I'd expect nothing less from the leader of the Hyuga."

The next morning, the sun rose, but Choji Akimichi wasn't at the breakfast table. He was stunned, reading the scroll that had been offered to him not moments before. The Hyuga who delivered the scroll was long gone from his sight, but he couldn't believe it. "There's just no way…" He said while shaking his head. "I can't even…"

"What's wrong son?" His father asked, coming around from the sitting area.

"Hinata Hyuga…" Choji blinked several more times. He was sure this had to be some sort of mistake, or some kind of sick joke. "She's accepted…"

Choza nodded his understanding, and reached out for the parchment. He read the words for himself, Hinata had pressed her official seal. This was no forgery, Hinata really had sent this letter in reply. "Choji, my boy, this is a good thing."

He was right. It was a great thing, but, Choji had to admit, he had been bracing himself to be let down. Their talks had always been cordial, but never particularly intimate, and he was too nervous to actually kiss her. He felt strangely uneasy, his palms sweaty, and he could do no more that look to the one man who always gave him the advice he needed to hear. "This…it's really happening, isn't it? I'm not dreaming."

Choza sighed as his son turned as white as a sheet. The young man's mind was probably on overdrive. "Okay, let's get some food in you, before you pass out on the floor."

"I should go see Hinata."

"Later." Choza slung an arm around Choji's shoulders. "Have something to eat first."

"Dad, I'm not very hungry." In fact all he wanted to do was convince himself that he wasn't dreaming.