Chapter 2: The Engagement
Naruto & Hinata- Uzumaki Grand Hall Gardens
"Un-blocking arteries and veins? Huh, never thought your clan's skills could be used in that way." Naruto remarks.
'Neither did Father.'
But she buries the thought to not bring up such sad topics, how little he probably thinks of her now these days focusing his attention on Hanabi, training her from sunrise to sunset on how to be a proper heiress, one that exhibits all the perfect Hyūga traits she doesn't have.
Tonight is supposed to be to celebrate him becoming a proper adult, not bring up her own awkward situation with her Father.
Naruto scratches at his neck, wishes he had paid more attention during Iruka's and even his Dad's lectures on human anatomy and medical ninjutsu. Both he and Mom were far better conversationalists than him when it came global issues, society topics, and even subjects like this involving the basics of medicinal care on and off the battlefield.
He'd far preferred when Dad or Pervy-Sage sparred with him, pumped him up with stories of missions they took to lands as far away as Kirigakure and Iwagakure.
Mom was the one who told him though how the matchmaking process was supposed to go, provided all his etiquette lessons before the war happened.
"Naruto, sweetie. Girls don't like it when you insult their dresses or hair, especially when they worked hours on it or spent countless hours shopping for just the right color."
Naruto rubs at his sore cheek where mademoiselle Chiyoko just slapped him.
She's already vacated her seat to head for the entrance, hazel eyes having long glazed over at his talk of plants, the wind techniques he knows, and ramen.
He knows said topics aren't the most interesting, though he figured he had her attention when he showed her the butterfly garden, the adjacent ponds the colors of tea and verdant greens that always impressed Mom and Dad's guests.
But really, he should've known just like most of the girls Mom has been initiating these 'playdates' with, that she was only fishing for information on Sasuke Uchiha.
"-And Sasuke visits you here too, right?! What's he like when he's not surrounded by his brother or guards? I heard he admires girls with long hair!"
Naruto blows out a breath, twists her words against her.
"All I said was that Sasuke wouldn't care who she was and all that work on her hair wouldn't matter after it becomes all ashy and messy after a spar. Especially if using fire or lightning techniques imbued in a shuriken or kunai y'know!"
Kushina barely covers her snicker, pauses at seeing an attendant rush in, auburn eyes wide in panic.
"Empress Uzumaki, apologies on interrupting, but the emperor requests your presence immediately."
His eyes flit to Naruto, lowering his voice.
But not enough Naruto doesn't catch the tail end of his words.
"It's the war effort. The emperor believes it's time to call on your power to help put things to an end." He hisses.
Violet eyes widen just a fraction, fingers brushing to her stomach before nodding.
Her gaze twists back to Naruto, notes the way his smile has cracked, pulling him into her arms. Naruto blows out a breath, returns the hug slowly.
"I won't be gone for long sweetie; I promise. Once your Father and I return, we'll import all your favorite ramen and sweets from the neighboring villages y'know!" Kushina chimes out.
She used the power of the very beast he ended up inheriting, the one that might've helped in the war, but took so much from him too...
"I know there's someone out there in the world waiting for you Dear; don't give up." Kushina smiles tiredly...
He curls his arms behind his back to hide a rising tremble.
'No, can't think about Mom and Dad tonight.'
Hinata looks up towards a river of white stars, it's harder to get views like this back in Konoha with how busy the nightlife is.
'I haven't seen a view like this in years; since my early days of being a genin.'
Hinata hums as they stroll through the twisting maze of his garden's grounds, silver moonlight on their backs. The smell of rose and orchid puts her at a bit ease, gold and scarlet lanterns guiding them through the hedge. Memories of the past year flicker to life in the back of her mind, stomach coiling wishing she had spoken up more after Toneri's mask had first cracked, provided more evidence that he was fooling all the Elders and Father himself with his honey words and faux smiles.
'Though I doubt they would've believed me.'
"It's...uncommon for the Hyūga to use their byakugan outside of shinobi assignments I admit. It was thanks to the letters of recommendation and recognition from Sakura and Madam Tsunade respectively from the medical community that I could continue helping start IV's and study X-ray's at Konoha's main hospital. I wanted the byakugan to start being seen as more for than just use as a tool for fighting and tracking enemy shinobi."
She'd never been much of a fighter anyways even before Hiashi switched her title of heiress over to Hanabi for losing their sparring sessions on purpose.
Like all kunoichi, especially those from the noble clans, she did her required basic shinobi training at the Academy. Once she graduated, she used her eyes for espionage, search & rescue, and for quick, paralyzing kills.
Hyūga men either will stay in active service or retire to lighter duty work behind the scenes.
While Hyūga women, women like her to soon be 18 and no longer in active shinobi duty, will start the process of matchmaking, finding a suitable partner that will elevate or maintain the clan's prestige and status in order to avoid any potential scandals or being seen as weak.
Naruto nudges her gently breaking her from her thoughts.
"So, what brings you to my party? Surely the Hyūga aren't having trouble finding you a match; are they?"
Her cheeks burn pink, sourness falling upon her tongue.
Right, she didn't just come to this birthday celebration simply to mingle with old friends or gossip about the latest drama happening amid the clans and other nations.
"Father thought it would be a good way to announce my...engagement." Hinata murmurs, nails digging crescents into her palms. It feels wrong to talk about her true reasons for being here tonight when she wants it to be the furthest thing from her mind.
Naruto's features give nothing away, nodding slowly. "That makes sense, it shouldn't be a surprise that you've already been arranged with someone knowing your clan. So, may I ask who's the lucky guy?"
Hinata laughs tightly. "Toneri Otsutsuki."
Naruto mulls over the name if it's one of the guests Iruka told him to be on the lookout for. Clan names and symbols all started to blend together after a while for him, especially when none of them had any women of age interested in him or vice versa.
"He's a from a distant side branch of the Hyūga family. Apparently one Father has known about for years, however he wanted to be certain of his skill and qualities before choosing him as a suitor for me." Hinata explains.
Naruto chuckles at her dry tone. "Sounds like you're head over heels for him already y'know!"
Hinata reddens, instantly purses her lips shut. Ah, she's become just as bad as Hanabi in chattering away! The last thing she needs is her true feelings getting back to Father or one of the Elders.
"I-I've said too much, please forget about what I said just now! While I haven't fully fallen yet for Toneri, I'm sure he'll take good care of me."
It's a repetition Lady Natsu has drilled into her to say in preparation for tonight and the celebrations to come should someone ask if she's already in love with her match. By saying it enough times, soon it should become second nature to state the lie without stuttering.
Hopefully.
Naruto gently lifts up her hand to take in her wrist, moonlight falling against the blotch of a maroon-colored bruise.
'From Toneri's tight grip from earlier! I should've worn gloves to avoid this! The make-up and concealer must've come off while we were walking about!' Her thoughts instantly spiral at Naruto's deep stare.
"Was this from a sparring incident or a patient that was too rough with you?" He questions, thumb gently sliding against the mark.
Hinata winces, shakes her head slowly. There's a myriad of stories she can bring up, maybe the excuse of hitting it while cooking.
"It hurts; doesn't it? Who did this? Was it that suitor of yours?" Naruto pries further at her silence.
Her blush burns darker before she can slip out some type of fib, a familiar voice shouting for her back in the direction of the mansion. Her stomach twists knowing it's him, that he's surely gathered an audience to search for her to show how worried he is.
"Hinata! Are you out here? Please answer me if you can hear me!" Toneri calls out.
"Please don't be too concerned Master Otsutsuki. You forget Hinata has the byakugan after all." One guard advises.
The second one hums appreciatively. "It's good to see you showing so such care for Lady Hinata though, a true warrior and gentleman."
"She hasn't been feeling well all night, I need to ensure she isn't nauseous and too far away to call for help." Toneri ventures, crackle of their feet hitting the grass, getting closer.
'Lies. How often do you lie to all those associated with me?'
Hinata instantly goes rigid at his false concern, Naruto sliding his hand to the middle of her back.
Pearl glances up to him only for Naruto to send her a wink.
"Don't worry, I already have the perfect excuse in mind to explain this!"
He takes in deep breath, yells back.
"Yes, Hinata Hyūga is out here; she is safe!"
Toneri follows the sound of Naruto's voice and just as Hinata expects, two Hyūga guards are with him, eye Naruto's closeness suspiciously before realizing he's the main reason for this party being held.
Toneri immediately sidles over to Hinata's opposite side, wraps a comforting a hand around her arm sliding her from Naruto's hold while the other digs into her back.
"You're safe; thank goodness. Where did you go off to? I thought you were just getting drinks?" He questions.
Her voice feels too garbled and tight to speak, Naruto clearing his throat, stepping forward.
"My apologies, Toneri Otsutsuki, correct? I was getting some fresh air in the garden when I came across Ms. Hyūga wandering around the garden's grounds looking a bit perplexed. I know those unfamiliar with the area can easily get lost and I was simply escorting her back to the Grand Hall. She's been so fretful that she would miss her chance to get a dance with you, but I assured her the night is just beginning!"
'Not a bad excuse.' Hinata sends Naruto a grateful look, Toneri observing the two silently before nodding.
Naruto Uzumaki is nowhere near Hinata's type, especially knowing his fallen clan's status and the rumors he's heard of his brash behavior with the other nation's leaders. Tonight is just his last-ditch effort to try and find a companion among the bottom of the barrel women still available.
"Thank you...Uzumaki. I'll see to it that my fiancée gets that waltz with me now." He notes pointedly so that Naruto fully knows she's not among the eligible bachelorettes he can pick from.
Hinata peeks her head over Toneri's shoulder as he guides them away, finds azure studying her back, hurriedly looking away.
Hinata, Sakura, & Ino-Uzumaki Grand Ballroom
"Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to search practically every room and closet of this damn mansion for my fiancée? Think of what it will look like to the other clans to not have you to be formally introduced beside me?!" Toneri growls in her ear.
They shuffle along ivory tiles, crystal chandeliers above reflecting the tension between them.
Soft piano and violin thankfully drown out their voices, Hinata matching his glare.
"I-I really did just get lost after getting some air-" She begins, stopping herself at his steely glare.
"Excuses; running off as soon as you got the chance. You will stay by my side until this party is over and I return you back to your Father's side for departure properly without any further interruptions."
Hinata accepts his spin and dip, opalescent sharpening despite the wild thrum of her heart at what she says next.
"No. I will also spend some time mingling with my friends lest you want to look like you're controlling me akin to a good puppeteer." She counters.
Toneri clicks his tongue at here flippant tone, gaze skirting the crowds before chuckling icily.
"Perhaps then while you catch up with your friends, I'll share a dance with Hanabi?"
Anger pulses at her hands to jab at him and his cheshire smile, practically burns at her skin, too late to hide from his bemused grin.
She quickly tampers down her ire, forces a polite grin back seeing a Kumogakure ambassador twirling close by with his wife, clearly trying to eavesdrop on bits of their conversation to pass along to their nation's top leaders.
"You will not get anywhere near her while I still breathe." Hinata hisses after the couple gets out of earshot.
Toneri simply shrugs. "Tsk. Tsk. There's nothing wrong with me sharing a waltz or promenade with my future sister-in-law."
Her teeth skirt her tongue, focuses on the taste of blood instead of the vitriol rising like a flame inside her.
"I will be back in 5 minutes and then we can meet with that Kirigakure counselor that was interested in discussing a trade deal with you and the Otsutsuki." She promises.
She doesn't wait for Toneri's answer, slipping from his hold with a bow.
Pink and blonde hair are moving for upstairs, Hinata weaving her way through smiles and hellos to give chase.
"Forehead and I almost thought for a minute there you and your future husband were joined at the hip!" Ino chimes out by way of greeting, puts a champagne flute into her hands.
The alcohol burns going down before the sweetness hits, nods slowly.
"It's...very stuffy in here." Hinata bemoans softly.
Sakura nods between sips of white wine.
"Ino and I saw you head out to the back gardens; we even nearly made a bet you found a new fiancé to hook up with. Toneri didn't even notice your absence until that old Suna couple asked where his fiancée was."
Ino leans forward, cerulean glittering with mirth.
"You didn't happen to run into said birthday boy while you were out there; did you?"
Hinata fights down a cough, sends her a frown making her giggle.
Sakura pats at her back. "Geez, Pig, we don't need all the details...just yet that is!"
Naruto re-enters the room from down below as if he hadn't just been missing the last couple of minutes as well, shaking hands with various diplomats, Iruka shadowing him from group to group.
"So...what did you think of him?" Sakura asks curiously.
Hinata looks away from Naruto. "Pardon?"
She gestures with her head. "Naruto, obviously. Heard he's a goofball, but a smooth talker when he wants to be. He somehow got all these representatives that used be at each other's throats before the war to happily and calming discuss world politics with each other over drinks or meetings with tea and rice."
"He was telling me stories of travels with his honorary grandfather while growing up and I discussed what it was like growing up in the Hyūga clan. I, well to be honest, I think his cheerful grins are just a facade."
Ino hums thoughtfully. "Interesting. Perhaps you and your clan can discuss business with him if you want to see him again. If just one of Konoha's most prominent clans shows interest, I'm sure the others will as well."
Pearl eyes shift back to the dance floor, swears Naruto's gaze flickers to hers to a moment before shaking her head.
"No, I don't think Father would ever be interested in conducting any trade deals or commerce with Uzushiogakure unless he could see some benefit out of it in the long term." Hinata remarks.
Behind the scenes, he's been trying to ensure the Uchiha family line the most out of all of Konoha's noble clans don't gather additional business and shinobi assignments that the Hyūga have already 'claimed'. Making connections with Uzushiogakure would probably be seen as a sign of weakness, that the Hyūga name no longer holds as much sway and power within Konoha to go to a collapsed village.
If anything, she should put Naruto from her mind, the chances are low she'll see him again after tonight is over.
Naruto & Iruka, Uzumaki Library
The last of the confetti, party favors, and food have been cleaned up, sent out, and packed away respectively.
All in all, not a bad turn out in his opinion!
He saw friends and mentors he hasn't seen in years like Gaara and Killer B, even Sasuke managed to show his face to him once before slipping back into the shadows to avoid drawing too much attention to himself or his fellow clansmen.
Iruka studies his thank you cards behind him, nods or shakes his head at ensuring his messages are legible and professional to match his new title.
"I never had a chance to ask you that night, but did any lady catch your attention? It's been 2 days now and I've hardly heard you discuss how you thought the night went, rare for you to not chatter about what you liked and disliked about the whole affair."
Naruto peers up from his note addressed to the Aburame clan to thank them for their honey wine. He can't recall actually having seen Shino around, but he's sure the bees they used to cultivate this will make it extra sweet.
Warm lilac eyes come to mind, the one woman he did notice that night.
But he can't tell him that.
"Not really, y'know. There just isn't anyone available in the nearby regions that's both close in age to me and interested." Naruto remarks, giving a half-truth instead.
He squirms at Iruka's frown, knows this isn't what he wants to hear. It isn't that he can't properly lead Uzushiogakure alone, but it's worrisome what will become of his clan's abilities and history the more time passes.
Iruka rubs at his head as he plops into the chair across from him.
"Well...that's concerning. Perhaps I was too hasty in throwing this birthday party for you in the first place. Or maybe I should've-"
Naruto holds up a hand, grins brightly.
"You didn't do anything wrong Iruka; honest! I was actually wondering if perhaps I could take a mini vacation before fully embracing my upcoming duties? Have a clear mind and all y'know!" He suggests.
Iruka arches a brow, but nods slightly.
"Where to exactly?"
Naruto's smile widens. 'I can't exactly invite her to come to me, so I'll just go to her!'
"I was thinking Konoha is nice at this time of year; it's where my parents met after all."
-x-
Was sleepy while editing this, going on a mini writing break, but wanted to get this out first!
Are we excited for a jealous Toneri and scheming Naruto?!
As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters along with my additional NaruHina works, MHA stuff, and original writings! I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!
Let me know your thoughts as always!