Chapter 5: The Gala

Hinata & Toneri-Hyūga Compound

"It's not a tantrum."

The rain patters behind her to fill the silence, crackle of thunder in the distance lightly shaking at the manor.

Hinata keeps her tone steady, reaffirms her desire to end her engagement even as she feels a scream building in her throat when Hiashi won't even fully look at her. This isn't the first time she's voiced her reservations on marrying into the Otsutsuki family and he probably assumes this is just more of that same tired conversation.

When his milky white eyes finally turn her way, they are cloudy with disinterest.

Annoyance.

He waves a hand up in the air flippantly.

"Fine, it's not a tantrum, but it is just your nerves again Hinata. A lover's spat. All marriages will have their ups and downs. Even your Mother and I didn't always see eye to eye and just as well-"

"I don't want to be married to Toneri. You can try to spin this any way you want Father, but I no longer want to be tied to the Otsutsuki in any way shape or form." Hinata curtly interrupts him.

A hand squeezes at her shoulder before she can go on, Toneri having followed right behind her. Her anger flares up again prepared for another harsh argument; doesn't miss the way his nails dig in sure to leave a bruise later.

"Oh, there you are Dear! I know how much of a Daddy's girl you are, but don't you think this news could've have waited until dinner?"

Hiashi arches a brow, looks between them both.

"What news?"

Toneri smiles warmly before Hinata can speak. "Why just the news that in the case of any unforeseen illness in Hinata or if she's truly serious about ending our relationship that Hanabi has agreed to take her place as my bride! It is of the upmost importance to both sisters that we have this Hyuga-Otsutsuki union."

Hinata freezes, pearl piercing back on silver.

"What?! We agreed to no such thing! You are spewing more of your vile laws to Father!"

She twists her gaze back to Hiashi, his features remaining stoic, give nothing away of his true thoughts on this new matter.

Toneri simply grins in return, venom in his eyes when he catches her stare.

'Hanabi. All this time he was thinking of a way to get her involved.'

So it seems he will not simply let her break this match without getting something of the Hyūga name out of it.

Hiashi clears his throat before the two can bicker any further. "Enough. It is unbecoming to argue like this when the wedding is only a few months away. Hinata, if you truly want to end this engagement, then as Toneri stated, the title of Mrs. Otsutsuki can go to Hanabi."

Her blood chills as both men look to her awaiting a response.

All she can hear is static in her ears, cottony taste of metal on her tongue as bile swishes at the back of her throat. Her chest tightens, trapped in a vise grip picturing Hanabi forced to wed a man she despises just as much as her, the way he will bruise and cut at Hanabi's skin twice as hard as a punishment to her for abandoning his love...

The faintest of grins quirks up Toneri's face already knowing her answer.

'Fight back! Fight back!' Her heartbeat rises in tempo, yells out.

But her mind has already chosen, she can't let Hanabi get anywhere near this man, let alone have him become her husband.

"No, we will proceed with the wedding. I-I think the summer heat and rain is just getting to me Father. Please excuse me for a moment." Hinata murmurs all at once before slipping away back to her private quarters.

She swats away Toneri's hand as he reaches for her, turns her body defiantly while ignoring Hiashi's frown at her open hostility.

She bites back a stutter, stomach clenching.

"Don't touch me. Everything about you from head to toe sickens me. It seems the only way you can find a woman is by manipulation." Hinata softly whispers by his ear, knows she's struck a chord as his features briefly crack exposing open rage.

Hinata continues on, not waiting for a response from him or Hiashi.

Fine, she'll find another way to get out of the engagement in a way that won't harm her or Hanabi.

It's only once in the safety of her room do the screams and tears rip themselves free from her throat and eyes, bile returning with a vengeance soaking her attire in remnants of tea and rice.

Already she can start to feel gray bags under her eyes once more she trudges into the bathroom, calming scents of lavender and chamomile doing little to stop her whole body from trembling.

She faces her reflection, wipes tear tracks away, pats at her cheeks until some pallor returns to them.

"You can get through this." She promises herself before moving to change out of her soaked clothes, run a long bath until her skin is pink.

'This isn't over.'

Naruto, Shikamaru, & Iruka-Konoha Marketplace/Yakiniku Q

"Don't you think it's about time for us to return home Young Lord?"

Iruka sighs, side eyes that Naruto is busy taking in which fruit they should buy. Whether or not Naruto heard him or is just pretending he's not here, he clearly doesn't seem to agree.

He can't even be sure he's talking to the real Naruto and not a clone.

Cerulean finally peers back to him with a shake of his head.

"We can't! I have a meeting with another old friend today! I'm lucky to have caught him knowing how booked up his schedule can be!"

Iruka arches a brow, looks at his watch before to the midday sun overhead. "You can't use the same excuse of needing to visit with the Uchiha clan when Sasuke is currently away on an assignment in-"

Naruto waves up a hand before he can finish.

"Not Sasuke; I don't care what he's up to right now! I'm meeting with Shikamaru, from the Nara Clan!"

He turns his attention back to a selection of strawberries, cherries, and sliced melons all set in colorful rows of yellows, reds, and orange-greens.

"Alright, I'll take one box of the Kusagakure made strawberries!" Naruto decides, exchanges the ryo while the vendor happily wraps up the fruit into a decorative container.

Iruka eyes the price warily, but stays silent as Naruto walks ahead.

"Come on, Come on! We can't be late for this!"

'He's doing this all for a good reason I hope.' Iruka decides, picking up his pace to match Naruto's.

Yakiniku Q is packed as he expected, scent of spices, peppers, and various cuts of meat filling the air. A waitress guides them to the private booths in the back under the glow of gold and crimson chandeliers, Shikamaru greeting them with a nod.

"Thanks again for having me y'know! According to your secretary, you're booked for weeks!" Naruto chimes out, warmly passes over the box of fruit and his favorite cigarettes.

Shikamaru dryly chuckles as he accepts the gifts.

"Thanks, don't know how I'll eat all this before it goes to waste. The cigarettes will be put to good use though, I'm surprised you still remember my favorite brand. Anyways, being busy comes with the territory of being next in line to be Hokage unfortunately, even if I think there's better people for the job. I haven't been able to get the council to agree to any alternative options and it seems nobody else wants the position."

Naruto settles opposite him. "No more lazy days of cloud watching! Don't worry, once I officially become Emperor in Uzushio, I'll still make time to visit! Oh and share those fruit with Temari! I heard you've been courting her to continue Konoha's goodwill and foreign relations with Suna!"

Shikamaru coughs into his sake, sighs as Naruto beams at him over his cup.

"So what are the real reasons that you wanted to meet with me? I know this wasn't for just a social call."

Naruto waves up a finger at his impatience as plates of gyoza and edamame get set in front of them.

At least he isn't pushing him along for answers like Sasuke.

"Uzushiogakure and Konohagakure. I think it's time we rebuild the relationship our two villages had from years ago. And lucky for you, I've thought of some issues we've both been having that I can help with y'know!"

Shikamaru leans back in his seat, swirls at his cup.

"...I'm listening."

Naruto clasps his hands. "I've been having my clones walk around the village the last couple of days. People are concerned about infrastructure, buildings that are old or are in various states of disrepair, especially after the Great War. Additionally, Konoha is growing too fast with immigrants and not enough housing developments to meet the demand."

Iruka sips at his wine slowly.

'I hadn't realized that's what the Young Lord had been up to these past few days.'

Shikamaru nods slowly, he's heard this through the monthly village updates as well from various shop owners and civilians.

Cobalt shines warmly. "So, might I suggest I have my clones aid you in building these establishments back up? Replace rusty pipes and cracked wood layered in moss?"

Shikamaru draws a cigarette from the pack, half-smiles.

"...And in return?"

"In return, you bring up during your next meeting with those Old Elders that Uzushiogakure is rising back up with a new Emperor, a comeback from its destruction. I've already laid the groundwork on where major buildings and facilities will go, but I could use some engineers, electricians, and construction workers to double check everything." Naruto relates.

Shikamaru blows out a thin stream of smoke. It isn't a bad offer thinking about it on a surface level. Both their villages will benefit and grow, though he doubts he can convince any worker to want to work on a project in a village long rumored to be destroyed.

Naruto leans forward. "I can seal the deal with your workers getting them any type of food they want and compensating them for their time. Uzushiogakure was once known for its beaches, it can easily become a tourist attraction as well similar to the Hot springs district you have or Yugakure."

Shikamaru rolls his shoulders, eyes narrowing.

"And who exactly are you trying to get to move there? I've heard through rumors too you caused a stir at the Hyūga-Otsutsuki dinner the other night."

Iruka goes rigid at this news, sends Naruto an aghast look he ignores.

Naruto's smile briefly cracks. "Hmm, well, couldn't have been me considering I wasn't even invited!"

'Right.' Shikamaru sighs.

Naruto is still a terrible liar when it comes to things deeply personal to him.

His continued presence around Konoha has already shaken up many of the noble clans worrying for the woman about to come of age or are still single.

"I don't care what his parents did in the war! He now holds that beast. How can Master Shikamaru trust he won't-"

"It's fine Dear. Our Kayuki came of age last year and moved to Iwa with no issues. It's people like the Nakawara family down the road that have to worry having those 3 daughters-"

They hush themselves as Shikamaru passes, eyes falling to the ground.

Whispers run about the Nara Clan and other families too that Naruto might forcibly take a woman from Konoha and not one of the other nations to learn either a secret technique or pass down a kekkai genkai knowing how many 'options' he apparently can choose from.

Or to the ones most fearful, he'll do both.

"You do know Hinata Hyūga is engaged; right?" Shikamaru mutters.

Naruto snorts. "She's going to break up with him."

Shikamaru nearly asks how he knows this when he's never seen him interact with Toneri before shaking his head.

'No, too troublesome to get involved in.'

He clears his throat.

"2 nights from now there will be a Gala to honor those who died in the line of duty during the Great War. I'll be attending on behalf of my Father. I've edited the program to ensure your parents get mentioned at well despite Homura and Koharu's concerns. In the next meeting we have, I'll bring up your suggestions and provide you with feedback on the responses I get."

Iruka sets down his glass. "Ah, thank you. You didn't need to go to such trouble. We appreciate you including Minato and Kushina when it seems so many people want to forget the past."

Naruto's eyes widen a fraction as Shikamaru goes on, knows from his frown he can't screw around at this event.

"The Hyūga family should be in attendance as well. In honor of Neji's sacrifice."

Hinata & Naruto- Downtown Konoha

"Is this all truly necessary? All of these men and women already got honored with commemorative plaques on their graves just last month." Toneri drawls while adjusting his hanten, coat layered with his clan's emblem in black stitching on the back.

'I was hoping to wear this for a more happier occasion.' He sighs.

He's been dreading this event ever since the invitation bearing the Nara family crest arrived via an official courier from their clan.

There will be too many merchants and craftsmen in attendance, people who have little to no standing in society he sees no benefit in spending an evening with.

Hinata hides a smile as an attendant freezes in tying up her kimono. His words for once are out in the open like fallen snow for Father's ears as well, too icy and slippery to act as if it wasn't said or something he can pretend means nothing by hiding behind a soft grin.

Pearl burns on his back.

"What was that?" Hiashi grunts.

Toneri coughs, adjusts his tone.

"I was just thinking, we honored Neji back during the Obon festivals not too long ago. Hinata and I need to save our ryo for our wedding preparations-"

"I want to go. There is no us in this. It's important to me and the Hyūga clan to honor Neji's sacrifice. It's bad luck to turn one's back on the deceased lest you want to be cursed into the following year in ventures related to business, family, and friends." Hinata interrupts curtly.

Hiashi nods his agreement with her and Hinata feels her shoulders relax further in relief.

'Now Father has finally seen for himself just how harsh his words can be.'

"You don't need to go if you're not feeling up to it Toneri, but we must celebrate and remember Neji's accomplishments on and off the battlefield. See to it that you study the major battles he was a part of in our library if you feel more comfortable staying here at the manor."

Toneri stiffens, pulls on a placating grin coming to Hinata's opposite side.

"No, forgive me. I spoke in haste; I would never want the Hyūga to look dishonorable to the other noble clans by not joining you at this dinner and presentation."

Hinata edges away from his touch as much as she can, Hiashi blowing out a breath before nodding to his guards to prepare their transportation.

The journey to downtown Konoha is wrapped in silence, rickshaws and other carriages filling the cobblestone streets.

Nightfall carries the scent of pine and dew from the eastward mountains, kerosene lamps glowing in reds and yellows in falling dark. Hinata's stare turns skyward, earlier rains still blotting out the sky with thin wisps of gray clouds.

"Your blond lover seems like he'll be in attendance." Hanabi nudges her, Hinata following her gaze to just ahead.

Her stomach lurches.

Naruto.

Same bright smile lights his tan features as he shakes hands with a Nara and Akimichi member respectively, but she notes a strain to his grin the more he greets others.

It's one she's seen on her own face when having to go out to public events with Toneri...

'This event is probably going to mention his deceased parents.' She considers.

She fights down a rising blush recalling all their past encounters, eyes roaming away before they can meet. Her throat tightens with the sensation of needles, pricked from every side.

'It's fine, there's little chance our paths will cross tonight.'

His assigned table is across the room after all, Hinata tacking back on a smile as she greets Ino and Sakura with light waves, settles at the section assigned to the Hyūga.

"I hope this catered food is worth it." Toneri mutters under his breath as he orders a salad for his appetizer.

"So many people from the neighboring nations too it seems." Hanabi whispers from her left as she and Hinata order the soup.

Hinata nods slowly. She recognizes a majority of faces from the major regions, but those invited from the smaller neighboring lands she has to look to their nametag.

She feels the pull of eyes on her towards her right, is already slipping up too early in the night by looking towards them...

Naruto catches her gaze, blue to white.

Hinata gives him the faintest nod, feels her face darkening.

Toneri jabs his fork into her thigh jolting her attention away, silver eyes stormy all over again.

"Can't help yourself, can you?" He sneers lightly, Hinata piercing at his knee before he can fully scoot his chair away.

"You constantly assume the worse of me." She hisses sharply in return, body tensing up for another argument only for Toneri to hum quietly, turn his eyes from her. Hiashi has already gotten up to mingle with the other Clan patriarchs, Toneri moving from his seat as well.

His gaze roams to Shion, arm slipping from Hinata's reach as he moves away from the table. Her pale blonde hair is pulled back with a silver ribbon to match the deep maroons and violets of her kimono decorated with crescent moons, lavender eyes roaming the room with a pleasant smile. Each time she bows to one of Konoha's top dignitaries and officials her toes curl, getting precariously closer to Naruto's table...

"Maybe a priestess will give me some attention if I'm not going to get it from my own fiancée tonight. And then you can see I have no need to manipulate any woman to spend time with me." Toneri scoffs out lowly before Hinata can question him on where he's going.

Shion's stare move towards Toneri as he weaves his way towards her, grin widening just slightly. Lilac flashes to opalescent curiously, Hinata pressing her teeth together at the slew of whispers sure to come as she meets him halfway near the ballroom floor.

Without her.

The Land of Demons is at least two countries away, what connections does she have with The Land of Fire and Konoha?

'Wait, is she perhaps here via a matchmaker or for business?'

The bits of soup she managed down sours, gaze skirting to Naruto.

But then again, Shion has been heard and seen through both story and eyewitness accounts beyond just her homeland to predict the future. It's these future sights that prevented her land from getting involved in past skirmishes and the Great War, a gift she probably wants to pass down to her children one day...

And it's highly possible said predictions helped prevent further casualties in Konoha.

Hanabi arches a brow at Toneri's behavior, stabs her spoon into her bowl as Shion giggles at whatever joke he's told.

Silver glances their way once before dipping his head closer to the woman.

"His jealous behavior is unbecoming! What is he thinking talking to that outsider when you two just announced your engagement publicly?! As annoying as he is, the Hyūga losing the Otsutsuki's favor will be all anyone will murmur about for weeks now!" She growls.

Hinata sighs, pulls her gaze away.

"There's no need to get angry on my behalf Hanabi. He's...upset at my effort to cancel the engagement. This is his way of causing a scene to 'punish' my actions I suppose."

Hanabi's mood darkens at this. "And Father didn't agree to breaking it; did he?"

Hinata swallows down a bite of crab and beef before they can start to burn at her throat.

"I...I don't want you getting involved. Toneri, he suggested you take my place if anything were to happen to me."

The anger in her sister's features deflates like a balloon, skin taking on a sheen of white.

"W-What?"

Hinata shakes her head that they'll talk about this later in private at the compound. This party is supposed to be a nice occasion to celebrate Neji and the other War Heroes.

Not the cracks in her failing duty to be a proper fiancée or daughter telling by Hiashi's concerned look back to her.

But Hanabi moves to her feet, molten rage glimmering back into her eyes.

"Alright, well you should cause a scene too." She decides.

Her hands move forward lightly pushing her backwards, head knocking into a chest.

She peers up into azure and almost wishes the ground could swallow her whole.

Naruto's pristine white shirt now splashed with wine that blooms out to the sleeves, tea that had been in his hands now scalding his flesh a raw pink.

Hanabi smirks. "Goodness Big Sis, you're so clumsy tonight! Good thing you know how to get out a stain before it spreads too fast!"

Naruto chuckles. "I was just coming to see if you two ladies wanted any drinks, the line was getting long!"

Hinata shakes her head, grabs at his hand to lead him to the stalls.

"That's not important right now! We need to take care of your hands!"

It's thankfully quiet as she grabs at a mix of paper towels to pat at his shirt and hands, runs cool water from the faucet over skin that's...

'Healing itself?' Hinata marvels.

"It's fine, injuries like this don't last long for me y'know!" Naruto relates, peering up to her.

Hinata studies his closing skin, hands still pressed to his chest.

"A-Ah, I'm so sorry! This-I mean, I didn't realize you were right behind me!" She squeaks out.

Naruto intertwines their hands before she can move them back.

"Hey, it's just like that one night back at Ichiraku's sort of except now you're helping take care of my injury!"

Heat slides down her cheeks to her neck.

"...Were you coming to check on me?" She asks quietly.

Naruto nod. "Yeah, some bankers here on business from Suna are wondering what the Hyūga clan did to chase away an Otsutsuki member so fast after all the talk these past few weeks of your...engagement."

Hinata bristles, seeing Toneri openly chat with Shion created a firestorm of gossip, of course it did.

He pulls her to his chest, drum of her heartbeat rising in her ears.

Outside, the announcements begin.

"Everyone, thank you all for coming! Ino and I wanted to start this annual gala not only to honor the memories of our Father's, but everyone who gave their lives in the Great War!" Shikamaru begins to round of applause.

'Neji. They're going to call his name soon.' Hinata clicks her tongue.

"You could use a vacation." Lips brush near her ear.

Hinata pulls back just as Naruto drops a kiss to the pulse of her neck. "Where? To Uzushiogakure?"

Naruto shrugs. "I was going to say to Yugakure, but I like your suggestion too!"

Hinata blows out a cracked laugh. "I'm engaged to Toneri despite how I've been trying to break it. You shouldn't...you shouldn't look at me this way Lord Uzumaki."

His formal title makes his features shift, vermilion spark at his eyes for a flicker of a moment before his lips flatten.

"Toneri Otsutsuki's eyes haven't been anywhere near yours all night since you arrived."

Hinata frowns openly then. "Because of you Naruto! He assumes there's something between us!"

Naruto rubs slow circles at the palm of her hand.

"There is something between us though Hinata, you feel it too."

She squirms at his grip to no avail.

"I was trying to see if I could gain some love for him to reciprocate his affections. I shouldn't have came tonight, I should've feigned illness..."

Naruto's hands move behind her back, pulls her so their skin is flush against each other once more.

"That doesn't matter because body will never react this way to him; will it?"

He snickers as Hinata's breath hitches, fingers dipping under her chin.

"I'd like to finish what he interrupted at the dinner the other night."

White instantly darts away, blush deepening.

Tomorrow she will have to meet with the wedding planner and photographer, discuss how they will spin this event in a positive manner to show the Hyūga are still the epitome of class.

That everything the public has seen of her wilting relationship with Toneri isn't their business.

Naruto studies Hinata intently, clears his throat betraying his nervousness.

Iruka is probably searching each table for him, Hiashi and maybe even Toneri now are looking for her.

"It's true; right? That you're in the process of breaking your engagement to Toneri? That's the biggest rumor currently going around y'know. I'll...stop all this if you truly want to make things work with him." He scratches at his neck.

Hinata's shoulders straighten, steadily returns his gaze again.

Polite applause echoes in the background.

"-Naruto Uzumaki is here on behalf of his parents Minato and Kushina Uzumaki to accept this memorial plaque and official portraits-"

Naruto's stare never leaves her.

Hinata nods. "I am. That part of the gossip is true."

He tilts his head closer, breath fanning her lips.

"Good. I won't feel guilty about this then."

His lips taste more of ramen than the rich delicacies that have been passed about so far.

But more noticeable than that is this want for more that rushes up her in a wave as she presses closer, fingers wrapping around his neck...

Her skin ignites.

-x-

I almost considered just going with my initial drafts of this chapter by having these two getting horny and having an impatient fuck in the bathroom. However, I changed my mind because I had another place in mind already lol. So look forward to that!

As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters and my other NSFW writings. Send me suggestions for who you want the September Couple Of The Month to be and I'll write extra drabbles & stories for them all month! I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!

Let me know your thoughts as always!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!