Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto and its characters; I also don't own His Stand in Bride by Michelle Styles which is the inspiration for this story. Any events written in the story that is similar to real life events is purely coincidental. This is not Beta'd yet.
Chapter IX:
When lunch was done, everyone who attended lunch proceeded to the meeting room where everyone were served with tea and pandan kaya cake for dessert to cool themselves from the summer heat, after dessert was finished Hiashi opened up the meeting.
"We are all gathered here to officially welcome Uchiha Sasuke to our clan as Hinata's husband although Sasuke is yet to prove himself worthy, certain circumstances led to his immediate marriage to our heiress. Those circumstances will be explained today by them, (he gestured his head towards where Sasuke and Hinata are seated) as for proving himself worthy Neji will face him later."
Sasuke felt degraded of being matched up to the Hyuuga prodigy instead of Hiashi himself though he kept his disappointment to himself, though the thought of beating Neji into a pulp seems appealing after not being able to train since yesterday.
"Hmm..why don't you test the Uchiha yourself Hiashi not that I am doubting Neji's strength, but aren't you the one who tested her former fiancé?" An elder asked suddenly.
"Yes, I would want nothing but to test Uchiha's strength myself but we still have another meeting after this to discuss with Hinata that doesn't concern her husband."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at this, first he was to face Neji a branch member nonetheless and now he is opted out of a meeting that concerns Hinata his now wife, "I don't mean to be rude by saying my voice here but didn't you announce earlier I am officially part of your clan? Then you want a mere branch member of yours to prove my worth to? (He said mockingly to irate the elders and Hiashi himself) I am now Hinata's husband her business concerns me now." He growled the last part to show his disappointment and anger.
Hinata fearing for the worst that will happen when the elders and her father are angry tried to stop Sasuke by tugging into his overcoat that he shrugged off not wanting to lose an argument with the respected members of the Hyuuga clan in which he earned a deathly glare from, Hanabi on the other hand tried to hide her giggle with the Uchiha's sudden outburst a feat she never thought the former avenger possessed.
Hiashi kept his calm though he wanted to gentle fist and test the rude man right on the spot but he does have a point with the things he said, taking a deep breath he said, "Uchiha although what you just said have a point what you did is still rude for you are facing the respected members of our clan and as Hinata's husband and part of the clan you are to respect us. As for facing Neji he is a branch member but our clan prodigy as well and I have full trust in his capabilities as a ninja that he will be able to pose a challenge to you. For our private discussion with Hinata, she will be explaining about it later to discuss with you."
Sasuke looked beside him to see Hinata whose eyes told him she will explain later, growling he kept his silence and will put his anger later to Neji.
"Such rudeness no doubt being an avenger rubbed on you but you are lucky to be part of the most prestigious clan in Konoha and be respected again aside from being known as one who defeated the greatest threat to the shinobi world alongside Hinata's former fiance." Another elder said mockingly trying to push Sasuke to the limit and cause havoc.
Sasuke wanted nothing but to unleash susanoo to burn the damn elders but refrained from doing so when he felt Hinata holding his hand.
"I would like to ask our respected elders to keep your opinions to yourself and let us explain how our marriage came into fruition which is the main topic of our meeting here. As everyone is aware of Sasuke is now my husband and him being Uchiha clan leader and me your heiress, Sasuke deserves to be treated with respect as much as you respect my father and I." Hinata said at the same tone her father uses when addressing himself in meetings.
Hiashi and the elders were dumbstruck upon hearing Hinata's words, throughout her life she had been shy, quiet and usually stutters and fidgets her fingers in front of anyone. But after the war and being trained personally by Hiashi, she matured and her mannerisms slowly disappeared only when talking to Sasuke since they married did she stuttered again.
Sasuke was also shocked to hear her address her elders and father that way. As far as he can remember about her back to their academy days she was always shy, blushing and fainting at the mere sight of the dobe but since marrying him she showed confidence by not looking affected by their marriage and now she even stood up for him.
Hiashi cleared his throat upon the silence of everyone and urged the couple to explain how they ended up being married. It was Hinata who explained from how she saw Sasuke early that morning explaining about Naruto's betrayal that pained her explaining about it but she continued, to her dilemma at the trouble Naruto put her through and how Sasuke suggested marrying him instead to save her and the clan from shame.
Everyone listened intently no ne bothering to cut Hinata's explanation while Hanabi and Hiashi are silently planning on ways to make Naruto pay for what he did.
"It was a noble thing you did to Hinata though I can't help but wonder what your true motive for marrying her is? A female elder asked looking at Sasuke skeptically.
"I want to rebuild my clan and with the opportunity presented at me, who am I to decline?" He answered truthfully to everyone thinking it was the best opportunity to announce his plans of rebuilding Uchiha clan along with Hinata.
Hinata tensed at his bold declaration of rebuilding his clan with her but she didn't show it she and Sasuke can talk about it later when they were alone.
Hiashi didn't want to delay the meeting any longer said, "Now that we know how they got married and the Uchiha's motive this meeting is concluded. Sasuke you can go to the Hyuuga training grounds with Hinata showing you the way, we'll be waiting for your return Hinata."
Hinata led Sasuke to the training grounds with neither one of them saying anything to each other, as they reached the training grounds Neji was patiently waiting for the Uchiha's arrival. Sasuke removed his overcoat and sheathed katana and giving it to Hinata.
"I trust no one but you to hold my katana." He said before giving Hinata a quick kiss on the lips. "For luck."
Sasuke didn't know what urged him to kiss Hinata but when she defended him earlier and seeing her plump pink lips at a close distance now he can't help but have a quick kiss on those lips of hers. Hinata blinked her eyes not believing what Sasuke did while it made Neji mad.
"Uchiha!" He growled while he's bakugan is fully activated and at a gentle fist stance.
"Easy there Hyuuga." He said to Neji before glancing one last time at Hinata, "We'll talk later."
Hinata nodded leaving Sasuke and Neji alone to return to her father and elders.
Author's Note: Not quite the kiss you are expecting but a kiss is still a kiss, steamy hot kisses are not happening anytime soon. Thanks for the reviews, follows, favorites, reading. As for the third wheel it's not like Hinata will cheat on Sasuke but just someone who will make Sasuke jealous because as we all know Hinata is very likable, for Naruto and Sakura they are just enjoying themselves before facing wrath of the village.