A/N Yes I am alive. I so wanted to finish this story but life happened. I wrote this chapter ages go and decide I would post after writing couple more but it never happened. I recently rewatched Naruto and thought about this story. Sorry to the people who reviewed and waited for updates for so long. I will really try to finish because I am still attached to all characters and this story. Sorry for typos.
Disclaimer. Naruto is not mine.
Chapter 06
Two pair of eyes, one pair a fierce brown and the other Byakugan silvery grey, clashed challengingly with each other. A pot of tea and 2 steaming cups were placed on the small table between the two contestants.
Another pair of anxious black eyes looked back and forth, ready to step in if the two supposedly mature elders started brawling.
DONG DONG DONG.
Shizume imagined the gong sound in background for the upcoming fight, thankfully she had the foresight to remove all heavy and precious items from the desk and near vicinity when she had heard Hyuuga Hiashi arrange for this meeting with Tsunade-sama.
"So for what reason has the mighty clan leader Hyuuga decided to grace this humble person's office?" inquired a sneering Tsunade, the sight of the pompous and standoffish Hyuuga making her inner fighting spirit flex for the never-ending battle between them. She could never let go of his past blunder with Shizune.
Hiashi's face twitched, he leaned forward to gracefully lift the cup and then bellowed gently on the rim before sipping the tea slowly, thinking of how to bring the topic casually.
Tsunade observed him with narrowed eyes. The great Hyuuga was procrastinating and trying for composure. Anything that could cause Lord Hyuuga to lose his trademark composure of uptight righteousness was serious.
She exhaled deeply and decided to wait him out.
2 minutes later.
Hiashi placed the cup down, sat back with his spine rigid and looked Tsunade straight in the eye. " Cancel the excursion for marrying Uzumaki."
Tsunade was baffled. It was the last thing she had expected ever to come out of this Hyuuga's mouth. "Pardon?"
"Cancel the excursion to marry him off." Hyuuga said quietly, his stoic expression missing its trademark arrogance.
"With due respect, this is none of your concern, Lord Hyuuga. The decision has been made and plans have already been finalized", Tsunade said calmly, her suspicious mind alert.
It had taken her weeks of relentless cajoling (then threatening) before the elder council sulkily agreed with menacing smiles that if anything went amiss, Tsunade would solely be held responsible. It had the potential to end in a true tragedy, Naruto 's happiness depending solely on his chosen life partner's sincerity for the relationship - and willingness to cut ties with the outside world if required - because the village could not withstand losing Naruto nor control of the kyuubi.
The last thing she needed right now was to have the haughty Hyuuga ruin this up.
"You cannot force him into hitching to a stranger!" Hiashi protested vehemently surprising Tsunade.
"I'm not forcing him! The gathering is a chance for him to meet some of the exceptionally fine ladies across the lands and seas who are happily willing to marry him and sacrifice all their past ties! He can select someone compatible, they can court with the purpose of marriage, build their relationship steadily, then marry within couple of months or even weeks if they want and give me a grandkid within a year as it is expected in normal arranged marriages. I remember you being eager enough to do the same- "
"He already has someone special!" Hiashi burst, his silver eyes flashing.
Tsunade froze then she quickly leaned forward, her great bosom heaving, slapping an excited hand on the table rattling the dishes loudly. "Really, who?!"
Hiashi gaped at her heavy bosom mesmerized for a moment then lifted his eyes blushing hotly and cleared his throat to croak out: "My daughter-"
Tsunade had a perplexed look, according to the ANBU reports Hanabi was confirmed secretly dating Konohamaru. " Hanabi? But I thought she was- "
"No I mean Hinata!"
Silence resonated in the office.
.
.
.
BOOM. Shizume groaned silently. He had done it again.
"Hyuuga have you lost your effing mind?!" Tsunade thundered." They are good fellow ninjas, how dare you assume-" She got up, her fists clenched, ready to plummet the preposterous popinjay.
Shizume appeared hastily next to her. "Please Tsunade sama, you mustn't-"
Tsunade turned her glare to Shizume. "Didn't you hear him blather-"
"I am not blathering!" Hiashi too swiftly got up. "Hinata and Naruto are a perfectly suitable match for each other. And I will not have you meddling in!"
"Hyuuga! Don't place your old fashion beliefs on those kids! A girl and boy can be good friends/colleagues without romantic sentiments being thrown in! I know what this is about! If you think I will let the Hyuuga clan gain control over Naruto's kyuubi then think again!"
"Silence! You overanalyzing old biddy." Hiashi exploded furiously, angry at himself for bungling it up. "They care for each other -"
"- like good friends or sibling!" Tsunade shouted back, struggling to break out from Shizume's hold.
"Hinata loves him! Not like a friend or a brother! She loves him, has always loved him more than her life, long before anyone even remembered his existence!" Hiashi yelled.
Tsunade stilled while Shizume gapped. Grasping the lull after the storm, Hiashi quietly continued.
"She loves him. She has loved him since childhood. She has loved him even before she knew the meaning of the word. She loves him more than her life, her family, her prestige, herself. Her every action, emotion, thought centers around him, what he likes/dislikes, what makes him happy/sad. I would not be surprised that the first and last thing she thinks every day is about him."
Hiashi ran a hand tiredly on his face. "I have watched my daughter struggle for last 8 years to be the ideal kunoichi he can walk proudly with. She tries and tries to raise herself to be his equal, to be worthy of him enough to gain his attention. I have seen her anguish and despair when he started liking that Haruno girl. But even then, she stood by him. She is willing to fight Pain, Madura, anyone who Naruto fights against and even die protecting him if she can. For her, only he matters and she would do anything for him."
Hiashi faced Tsunade resoundingly. "You want him married, Hinata has everything to offer. The dedication, the will, the bloodline and prestige to support him in any endeavor. The Hyuuga clan will stand behind him and offer protection for him and his bloodline long after you retire. She loves him enough to just stand, watch and bless him marry someone else if it meant his happiness but if you proceed with this and he marries someone other than my daughter, the Hyuuga clan can no longer be part of Konoha."
He paused. "All the Hyuuga are aware of her affections for him, she has refused too many marriage offers, she is the scion of Hyuuga, I have warned her countless times to stay away from him but she cannot help herself. It has now become a situation that the Hyuuga clan cannot overlook anymore and I cannot watch my daughter suffer anymore either. We leave Konoha the moment any other candidate is announced."
Tsunade stared at him, her thoughts jumbling. "I understand Hinata is Hyuuga clan's former heiress -"
"Former heiress by her own choice because she does not want to consider marriage to anyone else" Hiashi interrupted, "after the shinobi war, we offered the clan heir position back to her but she refused. It's not official yet but since Neji –" a pained look crossed Hiashi's face- "is no longer with us, Hanabi was selected as the next clan leader. However, Hinata isn't disinherited, she is still our main family's scion, the most eligible Lady Princess of Hyuuga clan, my most gracious daughter. Her prestige is Hyuuga's prestige and her pain is our pain."
Tsunade shared a glance with Shizune. They were surprised and little suspicious by the revelation of Hinata's feelings by her father, how could they have missed the intensity of her feelings but Hinata was like a cotton bud - soft, clean and pure, she accepted everything calmly but few could guess her thoughts or likes/dislikes.
This matter needed to be dealt delicately, the loss of Uchiha clan had been debilitating and if this matter exploded and the powerful Hyuuga clan left the village it could destabilize the foundation of Konoha gravely.
Shizune ransacked her brain to diffuse the situation. An idea popped in Shizune's head, she quickly telepathed it to Tsunade who gave an indiscernible nod.
"Why has never Hinata or Naruto or anyone brought this matter to me before? I am hearing something of this sort for the first time, from you of all people. Hinata is also a valuable member of Konoha and her wellbeing is of course of great concern to us all." Tsunade said deliberately after a while. "But I have rarely seen them interact with each other."
Hiashi remained quiet. Shizune spoke: "Why would they hide their relationship? Such a match would be envious in the Ninja world. It would be highly celebrated in Konoha. But Naruto has never mentioned nor anyone has mentioned, could it be Naruto does not reciprocate Hinata's feelings him or ….."
"Its…he is unaware. She is shy and he is…blind and dumb. But they really do have a sense of mutual rhythm and respect." Hiashi hesitantly said, feeling inept in how to explain further.
"Hyuuga, both have known each other for their whole lives. A relationship cannot be just one-sided or wrangled because of one individual's wishes, it has to be a mutual understanding. Respect between two may not be just enough to make a marriage work." Tsunade gradually spoke. "He may not feel romantically inclined towards her. I can't make a decision for Naruto...he is an adult and it is his right to choose his life partner, we are just arranging a gathering to facilitate and give him an opportunity of choice."
"But-"
Tsunade further elaborated. "This gathering's purpose is not hidden from Naruto, I discussed the matter with him first at length and only proceeded after he willingly agreed."
Hiashi looked at her in surprise.