A/N: Hello everyone! This is the first chapter of my submission for the SasuHina Discord challenge: Arranged Marriage AU. I already have an on-going story, 'Over It', which will be my main focus (weekly updates). This story will see a more sporadic progress, but I will write it out nonetheless. It will start off a little angsty, but it will go on to be more fluffy as the story progresses.
Special thanks go out to my amazing beta, PianoCoat, and the person who pushed me to start writing this story out, Sommernacht.
[Mulan-inspired AU]
[Arranged Marriage AU]
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Chapter 1 - War
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It was pouring today over the Hyūga compound and the shōji doors did little to muffle the sounds. The early summer storm let the earthy scent rise from the gardens of the clan and mingle with the smell of food; dinner time was approaching. The rhythmic drumming of droplets hitting the tiles of the roof was only briefly interrupted by the clattering of kitchen utensils. The Hyūgas were quiet today. Too quiet. Hinata knew the summonings must have finally arrived. She was ready.
Men were preparing for war, women were to send them off, and even children seemed to comprehend the solemnity of it all. Each family must send in an able bodied man of fighting age to their assigned unit. Those bordering the age limit had argued tirelessly with their sons to decide whom they'd spare, ever since the mobilisation had started to look like a true possibility. Only the main family would be exempted from this rule, as clan continuity could not be endangered under any circumstance.
But the deafening silence spoke of a worry on everyone's minds that exceeded the departure of family members. The Hyūga's most closely guarded secret was about to come to light and nothing would be able to protect them now, not even the arranged marriage between the Head's daughter and the heir of the Uchiha.
But no one had suspected her own gutsy plan amidst the chaos.
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The war had been painfully foreseeable. Tensions had been rising throughout the previous year with neither party backing down. The atmosphere had been suffocating within the two ninja villages at odds. It had all finally come to the point of no return when Kumogakure broke the peace on the ninja continent for the first time in over one hundred years. That fateful night, bloodcurdling screams had echoed from a small, but increasingly influential satellite settlement – the Land of Frost. Located at the western border of the Land of Lightning, the aspiring nation had wanted to claim its independence. They had sought military allegiance with Konoha, in hopes of avoiding an invasion. The Lightning Daimyō and the Raikage must have had other plans in mind.
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"I'd fuck them up myself!" Hanabi proclaimed, swinging her fists in the air.
A scandalised gasp was heard from beyond the shōji, no doubt belonging to Hanabi's governess. Hinata smiled at her sister's antics, continuing to brush her hair once she stopped wriggling.
"The Raikage must be very lucky indeed, Hana-chan," Hinata supplied with mirth.
Hanabi pouted, looking over her shoulder visibly insulted. She most definitely could fuck up even the Raikage, okay? Hinata patted her head with affection and her sister accepted the silent apology. Almost. She huffed. The downpour sounds filled the silence which ensued. Hinata honestly thought that if women would have been allowed to become fighters, her sister would have been one of the fiercest.
"What do you think father will do?" Hanabi finally braved to ask the obvious in a half whisper. Hinata almost hadn't heard her over the sounds of the raging storm.
"He has to come clean. Or someone must replace Neji."
"Will we be safe?"
"Yes," she answered without any trace of doubt in her voice, gently stroking her sister's back and arms.
Hanabi buried her face in Hinata's lap and desperately clung to her. Hinata's eyes hardened. I will protect you. No matter what.
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She had met her father in front of Neji's room – the door still slid shut, as if her father pondered going inside. Or maybe he had just left. Hinata thought her father must have aged tremendously during the span of this afternoon.
"Father," she mouthed, bowing.
He signalled her to the engawa with a tilt of his head. The rain was still pouring outside mercilessly. The hooves of horses would be clad with mud during the long march tomorrow morning. Her father seemed to ponder his words very carefully. Lightning struck and Hiashi's features were visible for a fraction of a second, the lines of his face even harsher than she remembered.
"You and Hanabi will leave tomorrow at the earliest hour," he said mechanically. "You will be brought to a safe house we own in the mountains." He licked his lips as if he were practising the next words in his head, thinking about how they'd feel when leaving his lips. "Take care."
Her father glanced at her with what she guessed could only be fondness. It looked foreign on Hiashi, but it filled Hinata with warmth. A loud crack announced another thunder. And just like that, with that loud bang, Hinata's body filled with dread thinking about what she was about to do.
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She had already written the letters detailing her premeditated actions weeks ago – one was addressed to Hanabi, the lengthiest to her father and one to Neji. Just in case . Her carefully packed bag waited for her. Everything was ready.
She felt a light tremble in her limbs and tears pooling at the corners of her eyes. She bit the inside of her cheek. Not yet. The courage cannot leave her yet. Doubts about her ability to play Neji's role filled her mind. But she imagined her sister's face and her father's expression tonight, Neji's profile with his jaw always set – ready to defend the clan. She pictured her clansmen leaving for war, parting with their families. Her resolve cemented. She was the Head's daughter after all.
Hinata had always been terrified by lightning storms. She still was. On nights like these, she would normally head deep into her clan's vast home, to escape the cracking sounds of thunder and wrap herself tightly under her covers. But tonight she spurred her mare on to advance under the cover of night. In the sea of departing men and teary eyes, no one spared her disappearing form a second glance.
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She was drenched, cold and more exhausted than she had ever been. Her thighs were sore and her boots squeaked from the water pooling inside with every step she took in her commander's tent direction. Her red-rimmed eyes and heaving body were laid bare to the rest of the conscripts still waiting in line. No one seemed to mind her in particular yet. Hinata mentally repeated the text she had practised tens of times in front of her mirror. Hyūga Neji –reporting on behalf of –
Her heart started beating erratically. She felt like prey. Someone was staring. And when she lifted her eyes to investigate, she saw Sasuke of all people clad in his uniform in front of the commander's tent. He was glaring at her. Uh-oh. Her lips parted in surprise and horror. Her cover had been blown. When she met his eyes, they instantly bled red.