Guess who? Guess what? An update. *grins*

Metamorphosis

Chapter V

Options

"Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options." - Simon Sinek.

"W-what?" The proclamation was filled with uncertainty, and ended up being some form of a question. Biting her lip, Hinata rephrased her statement into one that seemed more mannered. "I b-beg your p-pardon?" Still, the stutter was there, and Hinata was sourly reminded of it by the way her blood related father glared at her for her mistake. To him, stuttering was a sign of weakness and cowardice - rightfully so, considering the his line of 'work'.

"You're at the right age to get married," Hiashi repeated, his lips becoming a pale, narrow line. "And it's time for you to start looking at the options. The Hyuuga have decided-" meaning that he had decided, Hinata thought bitterly, knowing that all the final decisions were made by him, "to create an alliance with the other families. We feel that marriage is the best way. Unless you show us someone worthy of a Hyuuga," his lips curled, "you must choose one of these five options."

Hinata was filled to the brim with questions, but the most urgent one was, "What i-if they already h-have partners? Have the families a-already agreed with this... this proposal?" Her words were weak, and her father definitely noticed. Hinata flinched, feeling as if his steel white eyes could pierce through her skin.

Hiashi smirked, as if he had already expected this question. "It's pleasant to be witness of you thinking, Hinata." Jab. "However, rest assured that none of them have partners of any sort, and that this idea has been approved by all of the other leaders. Why, I don't know." Jab. "But, by doing this, you will actually become a help to the Hyuuga," for once. Jab. "I advise you to browse through the list carefully. It's your future." And with that final jab, he dismissed her.

Hinata walked away from his office, a numb feeling beginning to creep on her. Why didn't she expect this to happen? Predict it? It had always been a thought, but she had dismissed it because... Well, she could never fully believe that her father could do something like that to her. How naive of her. How stupid.

She was just a tool for the Hyuuga. A mere stepping stone, amounting to nothing, being nothing. A burden, even. She had known this. She had always known this. What had kept her so positive through the years? What had stopped her from leaving, whether it be this planet or this family? What had made her try so hard to meet their expectations, to become someone better than who she was?

Shaking her head, Hinata's eyes drooped downwards. Of course, it had been Naruto. She had been inspired by his good-will, by his spirit that had never given up no matter what he faced - by the challenges he overcame with a smile on his face. Naruto was her inspiration. Her world had centred around him, and using him as an example, she had overcome many of the obstacles that had gone her way. Using him as an example, she had quietly and stubbornly endured her family and their treatments, and their business.

But in this case... Naruto would not do. He would be dismissed. Because, in her father's mind, Naruto was simply not worthy of her bloodline - he was a nameless, penniless orphan who managed to get into her high school through his physical talent. Of course, he could become someone in the future - and with his charisma, Hinata had no doubt that he would - but that was the future not now. She only had a week before her fiancé was decided.

Her steps became quiet as she trekked the way towards her room. Just at the end of the corridor, and she would sit down on her desk and be able to consider her options that her father had given her. But, to her surprise, there was a figure stood right besides her door: Neji.

She sighed tiredly because, well, she didn't have enough energy to deal with him right now. He had probably come to mock her about the fact that the Hyuuga were selling her off; and mock her in such an extravagant way that one would barely even realised that he was mocking her. Except herself, of course.

"Um, N-Neji, if y-you could p-please step aside," Her words came out as an exhausted whisper. "I'd like to go into my room."

"I'm afraid not, lady Hinata," he smirked a little, and Hinata's stomach sunk in anticipation of the onslaught of insults. "I've heard." Neji's smirk disappeared, and suddenly, his face seemed unreadable. It was a first - there had been few times that Hinata had had the trouble of reading Neji.

"So y-you have," Hinata muttered warily, eyeing him, trying to find out his goal. He didn't seem too happy at what he was saying - was he feeling sorry for her? Her, who he blamed for his father's death? Very unlikely. "Is there s-something you wish to say to me?" She just wanted to get it over with.

"There is. Hinata, I've been informed that unless you find a suitable fiancé, they'll marry you off to a barbarian. As I go to the same school as you, I know that for you," an unintended - or intended - jab, "there are no such options. So, unless you want to be married off to a hooligan you aren't even acquainted with, that leaves you one choice."

Hinata blinked, surprise written on her features. Choice? What was he talking about? "And w-what is that c-choice?"

"Me." With that bold statement, it felt like her whole world shattered. Him? What on earth was her cousin Neji on about? Yes, it wasn't like marriage between first cousins was forbidden or anything, and it even happened fairly often. But still, did he realise what he was saying? Marry her? The person who killed his father, even if was indirectly?

"P-pardon?" All her disbelief and doubt must have been heard in her question, since Neji bit his lip as if to hold off a laugh.

"As the Hyuuga heir, the business falls to me. Therefore, I'm empowered enough to be worthy of you. That makes me a suitable choice. It is highly unlikely that it was mentioned by Uncle, since his aim is to establish an alliance, but nevertheless, the fact still stands that I can marry you." Hinata blinked, trying to take in all the information at one.

"At any rate, I'll let you think it through. Me, or someone completely unknown?" And with a flourish, he pulled himself up from where was leaning against the wall, and took off in the direction of his room, leaving her bewildered and confused.

He wanted to marry her? Why would he want that? What would he gain by suggesting something that sounded so preposterous (yet he made simple)?

Opening the file, she viewed the five names written that were her five options: Nawaki Senju, Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Gaara Sabaku.

Haha! Cliffy? Anyway, next chapter, we're going back in time... a bit...

Reviews?

Aurora.