The characters in Naruto are Kishimoto's, so they do not belong to me — only the plot of this story is my own.
English is not my native language.
The cool breeze whispered through the ornate shoji screens of the Moon Palace, carrying with it the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine. Haruki Hyūga stood still, his pearly eyes fixed on the intricate patterns of the tatami mats beneath his feet.
The recent news of the engagement loomed large in his thoughts, unspoken but deafening in its implications. Princess Haruki's heart raced beneath her carefully composed exterior, a storm of emotions threatening to burst through her false facade of calm.
As a princess of the Moon Tribe, she had always known that her life was not entirely her own. But this—this arranged marriage to His Highness of the Fire Tribe, Itachi Uchiha—was beyond anything she had anticipated.
However, due to her father's preference for her, Haruki had always harbored a secret hope that she might marry someone of her own choosing, but given the news she had just received, the younger twin princess had been in for a rude awakening.
"I understand," Haruki finally said, his voice steady despite the chaos in his mind. She bowed, the silky strands of her long, midnight blue hair falling forward like a curtain. "When should I meet my future husband, chichi-ue?"
Hiashi turned from the lush gardens outside, his pearly eyes—so similar to Haruki's—looking at his youngest daughter with a mixture of pride and something she couldn't quite decipher.
"In three moons, a party will travel with you to the Fire Tribe," he replied, his tone brooking no argument.
Haruki straightened, meeting her father's gaze.
"The alliance must be strengthened," Hiashi continued, his voice softening almost imperceptibly. "Especially now with the growing unrest in the Earth Tribe."
Haruki nodded, her expression turning to cold porcelain at the mention of the Earth Tribe, and the matter of Danzō Shimura's blatant usurpation under false pretense of regency after the death of Old King Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I will do my duty, chichi-ue," Haruki said, her voice resolute, her expression one of resignation to her fate. "I will not disappoint you."
In the garden, a nightingale began to sing, its melody a bittersweet reminder of the home she would soon leave behind.
A soft knock had caused her to pause in her combing of her long midnight blue hair. "Come in," she called, keeping her posture composed.
"Your Highness," her servant bowed deeply, "Hinata-hime requests your presence in the Moon Garden."
Rising gracefully, Haruki followed the servant through the moonlit halls of the palace. His twin sister Hinata waited beneath the ancient wisteria tree, its cascading purple blossoms glowing softly in the moonlight.
"I heard the news," she said softly, her pearly eyes reflecting concern. "Chichi-ue says that the Uchiha are known for their passionate nature."
Haruki's lips curved into a slight smile. "Are you worried about me, onee-sama?"
"The Fire Tribe's customs are so different from ours," she continued, fiddling with her sleeves. "Your court is known for its political intrigues, and with Crown Prince Shisui's... unique situation..."
"You mean your determination to remain single?" Haruki raised an elegant eyebrow. "The Moon Tribe has its own share of politics, onee-sama. We are not as far removed from such matters as we pretend to be."
A cool breeze stirred the moonflowers, carrying with it the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine.
"Besides," Haruki continued, his voice taking on a distant tone, "perhaps this arrangement is the design of fate. The Moon and Fire Tribes have always been connected, like the sun and moon in an eternal dance."
Hinata studied her younger sister's serene expression. "You seem at peace with this decision."
"Peace has little to do with it," Haruki replied, touching a moonflower petal. "As a princess of royal blood, I always knew that my marriage would serve a greater purpose. At least Itachi-denka is considered honorable, if somewhat reserved."
Her eyes widened when Hinata suddenly hugged her.
"I'll miss you, imouto. I don't even want to think about Hanabi-chan's reaction..."
Haruki almost laughed, knowing the news that the younger princess would throw a tantrum without suitors, but she would eventually accept it.
"We will have a private meal with Neji also present, then I will tell them the news of my engagement."
When Haruki returned to her chambers that night, she caught her reflection in a polished bronze mirror.
The moonlight streaming through the window painted silvery highlights on her blue hair, and her pearly eyes seemed to glow with an inner light.
She wondered if Itachi would find her as beautiful as the painting suggested, but a part of her wasn't interested in the prince's opinion of her appearance, because there was an unfamiliar apprehension in her chest—it wasn't a bad thing.
Either way, as she watched the moon rise higher in the night sky, Haruki knew that, just like the celestial body that was sacred to her people, the princess would maintain her grace and dignity no matter what path fate had chosen for her.