Chapter 1: The Celebration
"One does not just choose a partner without thinking of the potential consequences Naruto." Iruka hisses in his ear. His coming-of-age ceremony approaches and for 18-year-old Naruto, the time has come to choose the woman who will one day be his empress. If only the one woman that caught his eye wasn't betrothed to another…
Naruto& Iruka- Uzumaki Library, Land of Uzushiogakure
"Are you ready?" Iruka asks.
'As I'll ever be.' Naruto mulls over.
It's a question he's been asked more than once in the months leading up this event, since the invitations were sent out across all the great nations.
And while he'd like to say yes with the fullest amount of confidence, the words turn bitter on his tongue, stomach churning uncomfortably.
"Yeah, I think so." Naruto shrugs, avoiding his guardian's gaze.
Iruka sighs at his lack of a proper answer. 'I suppose he can't be fully excited about this.'
The lack of having his parents to guide him on this event only makes this all the more difficult process to go through with.
No matter how much lessons and examples he's given Naruto to prepare for this day, he knows he can't fully fulfill all his expectations for this moment.
He plops down into the open chair beside him, blows out a slow breath. "I…I know this is a lot to take in, especially since the Uzumaki name has lost its power in the last few years since the end of the last Great War. However, think of this as a chance to move forward, to not let the pains your ancestors went through affect you finding love. It's what your parents would've wanted considering they came from two different clans/households as well."
'But my parents died in that Great War. How am I supposed to find someone to lead by my side without their help in matchmaking, a proper companion with shared goals and interests?'
His memories of his parents grow fuzzier with each passing year, their notes and journals all he has to go by to ensure this birthday celebration is hopefully a success.
Naruto blows out a breath, tacks on a weak smile pushing aside his reservations. It isn't like he's endeared himself to the other Great Shinobi Nations really. He doubts any of the woman of age are actually going to be interested in him knowing his family's history, if they aren't already taken by another suitor…
If they even bother coming to this celebration in the first place.
'Who wants to be with a man whose home nation just fell to destruction not too long ago? Who lacks the funds to even properly go about courting them?'
And none of that even takes into account the beast within him meant to keep intruders at bay, this monster that will surely drive away any women once they know about its existence. Iruka and even Pervy-Sage when he's visiting have tried their best to counteract the mood swings and power that he gains from tapping into its strength, but they can't be around him 24-7.
Having this party in many ways feels like his last big chance to make sure the Uzumaki name doesn't fall to history.
Naruto blows out a slow breath, peers back over at Iruka.
It's getting late, evening sun highlighting the scattering of books and scrolls around them in reds and golds.
"How many people have RSVP'd?" He ventures out.
Iruka brightens, pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket.
"I'm glad you asked! Many people remember your Minato and Kushina's efforts during the last War and want to commemorate this event by being in attendance to their son's coming of age in their stead! Most of the shinobi and military clans from the region of Konoha and the Land of Fire plan to be in attendance!"
Naruto hums, can't bring himself to match Iruka's enthusiasm.
He's heard stories about Konoha from Iruka and even his own parent's travels to the region, but he hasn't been back to the village in years.
It's where Iruka and his Dad were born, but all he remembers about the region are the many forests and overlapping rivers that surround the area.
"Which clans exist again in Konoha?" Naruto yawns.
Iruka sighs impatiently at his dry tone, unfurls out the letter so that Naruto can review it as well.
He at least needs to know the who's who of each of the noble clans so that he doesn't embarrass himself when it comes greeting the Heads of each of them. The only clan Naruto seems to be able to recall is the Uchiha clan and only because Kushina was friends with the family's matriarch, both of them having sons around the same age.
"I've received word from our messenger hawks, and I think you'll be pleased to know that the Uchiha, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara, Inuzuka, have confirmed their coming and oh…this is a surprise." Iruka rambles off a series of names, stopping himself.
Naruto arches a brow, leans over to look at the last name upon the list.
"Hyūga? What's got you so shocked about them?"
Brown eyes furrow, Iruka shaking his head slowly.
"Ah, nothing particularly. It's just…the Hyūga are known for being rather reserved and stoic. They usually are known for only sending out one or two representatives to be polite to parties such as these. Though it seems the patriarch of the clan, Hiashi Hyūga himself has confirmed he and his two daughters will be in attendance."
Naruto fiddles with his ink pen. "Aren't they the ones with those weird silver eyes that can see through things?"
Iruka sends him a reprimanding look he leans away from. "The byakugan Naruto! It's been used for a multitude of purposes on and off the battlefield! Honestly, all my tutoring sessions with you regarding the history of other nations have gone in one ear and out the other! Ugh, we're going to have to brush up on your knowledge of each clan's secret clan techniques, your wind jutsu, and perhaps even your dinner etiquette. It's odd though…"
Naruto grins, cobalt shining with renewed mirth at his puzzled look.
"What is?"
Iruka shakes his head, rubs his chin thoughtfully.
"It's just, from what I've heard amongst the other clans. I thought Hiashi Hyūga's eldest daughter, Hinata was already engaged to a man from the Otsutsuki family. Perhaps this is his way of formally announcing their debut to the rest of the nations?"
Hinata-Hyūga Compound, Konoha
"I want to wear a fuchsia, no maybe a fiery crimson dress for the party! Big Sis, you should go with that lavender-gold dress or the midnight blue one! It's going to be your official debut into society with Toneri!" Hanabi bounces around her room excitedly.
Hinata giggles, her sister's excitement the only thing that brings her joy about this coming event.
Opalescent trails to her dresser, Neji's light smile staring back at her.
Their first major party without him…
She wonders what he would think of her engagement, this man she isn't actually in love with.
Toneri.
She fights down a shiver hearing his name, the man Father arranged for her to be married to next Fall after a series of short tea ceremonies getting to know each other.
"He's the perfect gentleman Hinata, you'll see. Our clans have done business together since the Warring States Period and he's adored you from afar for years."
That afternoon is their first meeting, a man enters and sits across from her with striking white hair and silver eyes.
A smile curves up his lips, bowing in reverence to her. "It's an honor to finally be in your presence Lady Hinata."
And at first, she thought Father was right. She could learn to love this man she'd only mostly seen through pictures, short meetings, and heard about through letters…
Until she experienced his first throws of jealously.
"You're crushing my hand." Hinata hisses, wrenching her hand from his hold.
Her cheeks burn pink at Toneri's glare in return, pair dropping their voices an octave when a dignitary from Iwagakure glances their way.
"Listen. This is an important business meeting with both Iwa and Kusa in order to expand our clan's services in those regions. And yet, you've been spending nearly half the night clinging to- "
"Kiba and Shino are my friends, my old teammates from our early genin days! I've told you this time and again that Kiba is courting Tamaki and Shino's interests lie in finishing completing his education degree to become a teacher at Konoha's main Academy."
Pearl eyes study her frostily. "The animal boy. I don't like the way he looked at you then at me; his silence says it all that he finds my presence a nuisance. What did he say to you?"
Hinata steps back from him, purses her lips.
"You can do better than him Hinata, just break off the courtship. You can handle the fallout from your Old Man and if not, Shino and I will come with you!"
No, saying that will only further ignite his wrath.
"Nothing. He's…just worried about me. They've both always been very protective of me." Hinata lies instead.
Toneri's brows furrow and her heart jumps and skitters wondering if he can hear the lie in her voice, forces her body to be still.
But instead, he wraps her back into her arms, ignores the way her body stiffens from his touch as he drops a kiss to her forehead.
"You're right. Sorry, I'm just nervous."
Hinata tacks on a weak smile as his fingers return to hers, wincing when his nails dig into her wrist tearing at her skin.
"But…don't embarrass me like that again. We both know you can't do any better than me with how your Father has already casted you from the heiress title."
Hinata shakes her head of the memory, maybe she should've told Kiba and Shino to keep their distance some. They've both seen firsthand how easily annoyed Toneri can be when she's out of his sight for too long.
She'll have to remind them for this upcoming party.
Hanabi circles around her. "Hey, who's this party for anyways? It's not like Father to want us all to attend an event together!"
Hinata's gaze settles back on the invitation. "Naruto Uzumaki. I think he's from the neighboring village of Uzushiogakure."
Hanabi sniffs taking in his accompanying photo. "Looks dorky. And didn't that village get decimated during the last Great War? I'm surprised he has the funds to hold such a lavish affair, he must be desperate for a companion!"
Hinata sends her a look at her rudeness, sighs when she giggles and slips away back to her room. She studies Naruto's picture carefully, takes in the whisker marks to his cheeks, spiky blond hair, spark of a recollection forming.
Winter. Snow falling across most of Konoha's roads blanketing everything in white. Sky turning a violet-black warning her of how late it'd gotten.
"Come with me, I know just the way back!"
The memories are hazy, but she's sure both Naruto and her attended Konoha's academy together for a few years before he returned back to his Mother's home village, their lives then went in two very different directions.
And then the war happened…
'So, he's turning 18. He's just a bit older than me then. He doesn't look unattractive in my opinion, hopefully he has luck in finding someone.'
Her face burns anew at her thoughts, thankful Toneri or Father aren't here to question what's running through her mind. She's done her best to keep her true feelings under wraps that nobody, but Hanabi and her closest friends know about her reservations regarding Toneri.
This is to be the moment though that the rest of the clans of Konoha and neighboring nations see that she is formally no longer available to be courted.
And thinking of another man, a man from a family that's fallen so low as the Uzumaki would probably leave her confined to the manor, Lady Natsu or one of the Elders drilling lessons into her until moonlight on how to be a proper lady, to complete her duties as a Hyūga woman.
She bites her lip, remembers her first lesson.
'You are an engaged woman now Hinata. As such, please get rid of all those silly fantasies and childhood stories of love and passion. The Otsutsuki and Toneri himself will be good to you, perhaps even better than how things currently are for you in the compound knowing how Master Hiashi can be.'
Uzumaki Grand Hall, Land of Uzushiogakure
Sakura takes a long sip of her plum wine, scopes the eligible bachelors out from across the room. People have come as far away as Kumo and Iwa to attend this event apparently, men who want to enjoy a good feast and see if they can even come home with a woman under their arms...
But sadly, it seems a majority of these men are ones she's been around since her Academy days, not even shinobi she fought with side by side during the war or in the medical corps have caught her eye tonight.
'Ugh, don't tell me Itachi wasn't able to convince Sasuke to come!'
Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise really. Sasuke is amid the top men whispered about that's yet to officially court a woman to take on the Uchiha name.
It's his clan and name that has most of the woman around her age interested in this event in the first place rather than the man who this party is actually for: Naruto Uzumaki.
She'd taken one look at his photo and shrugged. Sure, he was attractive in that conventional sort of the way, but his features paled in comparison to the Uchiha men who'd yet to make their grand appearance.
Ino loops an arm around her side just as she's about to check out the food, clinks her glass of sake with hers.
"Quite a turnout for a clan that's basically gone!" She chimes out by way of greeting.
Sakura shakes her head. "Why'd you even come? You've been dating Sai ever since the last Great War ended."
And it'd caused for a while quite a stir amid the Yamanaka family. A man with no family history or title to his name, just his military background and the woman he liked to draw in his spare time.
'He has the personality of a dead fish, but I suppose he's gotten better since interacting with Ino.' Sakura surmises, it's not like she can talk really.
Ino snickers. "Forehead, did you really think I would miss out on all the hot gossip that comes with parties as big as this? In fact, I heard even Hinata and some of the other Hyūga clan members are going to be in attendance tonight!"
Sakura sets down her glass, brows furrowing.
"Wait, you mean Hinata's going to be here officially with…oh what's his name again?"
Ino nods. "From the Otsutsuki clan. I think it's an arranged marriage, glad Daddy didn't force me into one of those!"
Together, their eyes scan the room for the pair and the rest of their friends. Ino's lips soon breaking into a wide smile, nodding to herself.
Verdant eyes follow, catch what she thinks is the man of the hour and one of the Hyūga sisters.
"What? Pig, you see something; don't you!?"
Cerulean eyes simply sparkle with delight.
"I just knew I would see something interesting coming here and just like I hoped, I wasn't disappointed!"
Naruto & Hinata- Uzumaki Grand Hall Gardens
'Air. I need air.' Hinata breaks from her sister and Father with the excuse of getting them drinks.
Toneri, at least in public, gives off such a friendly persona.
Approachable. Warm.
"You better have hidden those bruises properly with the correct shades of make-up; I don't need people asking questions or assuming you've picked up training again as a shinobi. There's no need for you to be sparring now that the war effort is over."
Hinata swallows' gulps of air, body trembling.
She'd recognized the Taketori family with their bright smiles and well wishes to the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans pleased she's found somebody knowing Father's personality and critical process of vetting men.
"You two make such an ethereal pair!"
"Ah, I can't imagine what type of byakugan and skills your children will have! Have you two set a wedding date yet?"
And all the while Toneri's nails had been digging into her back forming crescents, his words repeating like a mantra in her head.
'Smile. Look up. Don't ruin this for me; for us.'
"Hey, you okay there?" A voice asks from behind her and Hinata goes rigid, red seeping into her face hoping it isn't Ko or another Hyūga attendant come to fetch her back inside.
"Ah, y-yes! I, um, just needed to get away from the crowds for a bit." Her voice comes out warbly, gaze taking to the night sky instead.
The man presses a glass of water to her fingers and Hinata reluctantly looks up into azure.
The man from the photos: Naruto Uzumaki.
Hinata blinks, points at him before curling her fingers back to her side quickly at her rudeness.
"Wait, what are you doing out here?! Isn't this party being held for you?" She breathes out.
Naruto half-smiles, scratches a hand behind his neck. "Same reason as you I suppose y'know. Not much luck in talking to woman when they look uncomfortable even looking me in the eye or already know my family history and deem me an unworthy candidate. I think most people are just here for the gossip or booze really!"
He shifts uncomfortably realizing he's saying too much, but Hinata only nods encouragingly, sits down at the bench beside him.
"I can't really offer piles of ryo and guess I'm not the most attractive guy. I keep hearing people muttering about when Sasuke, as much of an asshole as he is, is going to arrive along with the rest of his family. I should've told Iruka this was a bad idea; we could've put all this ryo into traveling or something…"
Hinata shakes her head, find herself patting at his cheek.
"That's not true! For many this is…this is the first time they're getting out of their homes and compounds since the war's end."
Blue peers into lilac and Hinata feels heat crawl down her neck, she pulls her fingers back quickly while squeaking out apologies. Still, Naruto keeps his gaze on her.
"You're from the clan with those weird eyes." He notes and Hinata deflates while Naruto hurriedly amends himself.
"Err, I just mean, I've never seen a Hyūga clan member's eye up close y'know! It's…pretty."
Hinata blows out a breath as Naruto re-intertwines their hands with a devious grin, heart skittering in her ears.
"Can I steal you for a moment? Your old man and sister aren't going to ask questions about where you've went; are they?"
Hinata shakes her head slowly knowing Father will be busy discussing upcoming meetings with the other Clan leaders while Hanabi will be catching up with her friends planning to test for the upcoming jonin exams, on her tongue to say it isn't them they should worry about.
Toneri will eventually question where she's gone.
But she lets Naruto guide them deeper into the garden away from the noise, the crowds, her upcoming marriage...
Straight into a dangerous game.
-XxX-
I'm not sure how many chapters this will be, guess it's based on my own ideas and interest in it! I know it will be quite AU in nature and I just felt like writing a more historical mini-series between these two!
Part 2 is already up on my pa-tre-on along with my other NaruHina goodies, MHA work, and my original writings! I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there! Check out my Insta by the same name for my anime drawings, book recommendations, and travel blog
Let me know any thoughts/suggestions!