Shadows of the Past
folder
Naruto › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
14
Views:
1,273
Reviews:
8
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
14
Views:
1,273
Reviews:
8
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Let the Courtship Begin
A/N: As my Beta pointed out to me this chapter was long overdue. I feel like Raven and Hinata have waited long enough and deserve to finally have their chance to be together. but being from the main families of two noble clans there are certain rules that they must follow inorder for that to happen. Enjoy and once again please remember to R&R
==============================
Raven’s night out with the other Jounin had gone better than he originally thought it would and he was looking forward to getting together with them again next week. However, for now he had other concerns that required his attention and in his mind he had waited for far too long.
Raven walked along the shops of Konoha trying to remind himself exactly why he was there. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself at the humor of his situation. ‘I can face entire squads of shinobi while forming brilliant battle strategies on the fly yet the simple task of picking out a few gifts leaves me blank.’
While recovering in the hospital Raven had come to the conclusion that he was actually starting to develop feelings for Hinata. His eight months away from her and the letters they had exchanged during those months had helped to give him a perspective that he might not have had if he had not been away from her for so long. ‘Then again it is possible that I might have done this far sooner if I had been around more.’
Raven enters a local teashop and taking a seat in the back orders a drink as he pulls out a note he had written before leaving his house that morning. “Rituals and traditions can be such a pain in the ass,” Raven says to himself as he takes a sip of tea while reading over the note in his hand.
‘Proper courtship protocol requires that contact first be established with the sending of a small token of affection and a notice of intent.’ “Send her some flowers with a nice card,” he says to himself before moving to the next line.
‘After contact has been made and intention established the first phase of the Courtship Ritual may progress unhindered. For the remainder of the ritual tokens of affection are to be sent to the intended subject until the ritual is either completed or terminated.’ “Translation,” he begins. “Send gifts everyday while I work on the other phases of the ritual.”
‘Permission to continue with said ritual must be received prior to the completion of the first phase of the ritual before the second phase may be initiated. If permission is denied then the ritual is to be terminated so as to maintaining the integrity of both families.’ “So I need to get permission from Hyuga-sama to continue to court Hinata,” Raven translates. “If he says no, then back off or risk another clan feud.”
‘Once permission as {has} been granted then the second phase of the ritual may begin. Letters of intent and request should be sent discreetly to those closest to the subject for the expressed purpose of ensuring a successful courtship.’ “So after her dad says yes I need to send letters asking for advice to her closest friends and family.”
‘Before the third phase of the ritual is to begin consent must be received from those that received letters. If consent is denied by even one of the letters’ recipients the ritual is to be terminated so as to maintain the integrity of both families.’ “So I need to get permission from everyone to court Hinata and if even one person says no I have to back off or risk shaming both clans.” Raven almost growls into his cup. “This is more complicated then I thought.”
‘After consent has been received then the third phase of the ritual may begin. Three meals are to be prepared for the subject by the rituals initiator to demonstrate their ability to care and provide for the subject. The first meal is to be delivered to the subject upon their awakening while the second is to be delivered for their mid-day meal. Once these have been accepted an invitation to the third meal is to be sent. If this invitation is refused or any of the previous meals are rejected the ritual is to end so as to preserve the integrity of both families.’ “So I need to cook her breakfast in-bed, lunch and invite her to dinner,” Raven says before taking another sip of tea. “If she doesn’t like my cooking then she can walk away allowing both of us to save face. Now I’m getting nervous.”
===============================
Hinata wakes up the next morning for school and she notices a dozen cosmos on her dresser. Getting out of bed she walks over towards the flowers and notices the card. Opening the card she reads it and her eyes widen as she squeals with delight hopping up and down.
While walking down the hall towards the dojo for training, Neji and his uncle hear Hinata’s squeals and race towards her room to investigate. As they open the door they are shocked to see Hinata hopping up and down squealing like a silly school girl clutching a dozen cosmos in one hand and a card in the other.
Before either man can react she rushes over and hugs her cousin squealing happily, “I’m being courted. Oh Kami-sama I’m being courted.” Pulling away from her cousin Hinata looks to her father and hands the head of their clan the note. “Isn’t it wonderful father?”
Haishi Hyuga takes the note as he suppresses his emotions while reading the card. He was pleased to see his oldest daughter so happy and was also pleased to learn that the old courtship customs of Konoha weren’t as dead as he had thought. His eyes read over the neatly written note and had to force away his disappointment as he realized who it was that was courting his daughter. ‘Raven Hiroku.’ The note simply read:
‘Dear Hinata-chan,
Now that I have the time I would like to court you properly.
Raven.
==============================
The flowers continued to arrive each morning as was customary for this stage of the ritual. On the fifth day Haishi sat in his office and looked across his desk at the formally dressed young man that had caused his eldest daughter such joy these past few days.
As Raven sits in his chair he forces his feelings of nervousness to the back of his mind so that he is able to talk with Hinata’s father to ask for permission to continue his courtship of the man’s daughter. “I wish to thank you for agreeing to see me Haishi-sama. As you are aware I have initiated my clan’s Courtship Ritual and am here to ask for your permission to continue to formally court Hinata-chan.”
Haishi continues to watch the young Jounin for a few more moments before he speaks. “I have heard many things about you Raven-sama,” the man says. “Both Kurenai-san and Hokage-sama speak very highly of you. However, still I find it difficult to see why I should allow a Hiroku to court my clan’s heir, the same Hiroku she is already arranged to marry.”
Raven nods in understanding, “I am well aware of the bad blood that still remains between our two clans. However, I am also aware that it was your clan that was assigned to escort my mother to her meeting with the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village even after their attempt at kidnapping Hinata. I am also aware that one of your clan’s medic-nin was willing to sacrifice her life to save my mother when they were attacked,” he says.
“Though my father may hold your clan responsible for my mother’s death I am grateful to your clan for trying to save her life.” Though his face and voice show no signs of emotion his eyes reveal the truth of his words. “I bare no ill will towards the Hyuga clan and like my mother I wish to end the bad blood between our clans. “I care a great deal for Hinata-chan,” he admits to the girl’s father.
“I only wish to make her happy. As you have said we are already arranged to be married, yet to me such a union would be empty without taking the time to get to know each other properly. It is for this very reason that I have begun the Courtship Ritual and it is also for this same reason that I am before you now asking for your permission to continue with the ritual.”
Haishi considers the young man’s words and the joy he has seen on Hinata’s face the last few days. Raven’s mention of his mother’s death and his gratitude to the Hyugas for trying to save her life had meant more to
him they he would ever let anyone ever know. ‘If he can forgive us for his loss and even thank us for the failed attempt at preventing that loss then perhaps he is not like his father after all.’
After several long moments the older man finally spoke. “You have given me much to consider young Hiroku. While I am still uncertain as to what to make of your words I shall allow you to continue to court my daughter for the time being. However, I reserve the right to revoke that permission at anytime before the ritual’s completion. Is that understood?”
“Hai,” Raven nods. “Thank you for your time Haishi-sama.”
==============================
A/N: I need to give credit where credit is due. I actually "borrowed" the formual for the Courtship Ritual from an author over at Forever Fandom.net by the name of Doomanator. I read her work about a year back and thought it was an excellent idea. I haven't seen any of her work in nearly a year and don't even know if she's still writting but if she I hope that she doesn't mind my using her idea for this story. It was just too good to not to use.
==============================
Raven’s night out with the other Jounin had gone better than he originally thought it would and he was looking forward to getting together with them again next week. However, for now he had other concerns that required his attention and in his mind he had waited for far too long.
Raven walked along the shops of Konoha trying to remind himself exactly why he was there. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself at the humor of his situation. ‘I can face entire squads of shinobi while forming brilliant battle strategies on the fly yet the simple task of picking out a few gifts leaves me blank.’
While recovering in the hospital Raven had come to the conclusion that he was actually starting to develop feelings for Hinata. His eight months away from her and the letters they had exchanged during those months had helped to give him a perspective that he might not have had if he had not been away from her for so long. ‘Then again it is possible that I might have done this far sooner if I had been around more.’
Raven enters a local teashop and taking a seat in the back orders a drink as he pulls out a note he had written before leaving his house that morning. “Rituals and traditions can be such a pain in the ass,” Raven says to himself as he takes a sip of tea while reading over the note in his hand.
‘Proper courtship protocol requires that contact first be established with the sending of a small token of affection and a notice of intent.’ “Send her some flowers with a nice card,” he says to himself before moving to the next line.
‘After contact has been made and intention established the first phase of the Courtship Ritual may progress unhindered. For the remainder of the ritual tokens of affection are to be sent to the intended subject until the ritual is either completed or terminated.’ “Translation,” he begins. “Send gifts everyday while I work on the other phases of the ritual.”
‘Permission to continue with said ritual must be received prior to the completion of the first phase of the ritual before the second phase may be initiated. If permission is denied then the ritual is to be terminated so as to maintaining the integrity of both families.’ “So I need to get permission from Hyuga-sama to continue to court Hinata,” Raven translates. “If he says no, then back off or risk another clan feud.”
‘Once permission as {has} been granted then the second phase of the ritual may begin. Letters of intent and request should be sent discreetly to those closest to the subject for the expressed purpose of ensuring a successful courtship.’ “So after her dad says yes I need to send letters asking for advice to her closest friends and family.”
‘Before the third phase of the ritual is to begin consent must be received from those that received letters. If consent is denied by even one of the letters’ recipients the ritual is to be terminated so as to maintain the integrity of both families.’ “So I need to get permission from everyone to court Hinata and if even one person says no I have to back off or risk shaming both clans.” Raven almost growls into his cup. “This is more complicated then I thought.”
‘After consent has been received then the third phase of the ritual may begin. Three meals are to be prepared for the subject by the rituals initiator to demonstrate their ability to care and provide for the subject. The first meal is to be delivered to the subject upon their awakening while the second is to be delivered for their mid-day meal. Once these have been accepted an invitation to the third meal is to be sent. If this invitation is refused or any of the previous meals are rejected the ritual is to end so as to preserve the integrity of both families.’ “So I need to cook her breakfast in-bed, lunch and invite her to dinner,” Raven says before taking another sip of tea. “If she doesn’t like my cooking then she can walk away allowing both of us to save face. Now I’m getting nervous.”
===============================
Hinata wakes up the next morning for school and she notices a dozen cosmos on her dresser. Getting out of bed she walks over towards the flowers and notices the card. Opening the card she reads it and her eyes widen as she squeals with delight hopping up and down.
While walking down the hall towards the dojo for training, Neji and his uncle hear Hinata’s squeals and race towards her room to investigate. As they open the door they are shocked to see Hinata hopping up and down squealing like a silly school girl clutching a dozen cosmos in one hand and a card in the other.
Before either man can react she rushes over and hugs her cousin squealing happily, “I’m being courted. Oh Kami-sama I’m being courted.” Pulling away from her cousin Hinata looks to her father and hands the head of their clan the note. “Isn’t it wonderful father?”
Haishi Hyuga takes the note as he suppresses his emotions while reading the card. He was pleased to see his oldest daughter so happy and was also pleased to learn that the old courtship customs of Konoha weren’t as dead as he had thought. His eyes read over the neatly written note and had to force away his disappointment as he realized who it was that was courting his daughter. ‘Raven Hiroku.’ The note simply read:
‘Dear Hinata-chan,
Now that I have the time I would like to court you properly.
Raven.
==============================
The flowers continued to arrive each morning as was customary for this stage of the ritual. On the fifth day Haishi sat in his office and looked across his desk at the formally dressed young man that had caused his eldest daughter such joy these past few days.
As Raven sits in his chair he forces his feelings of nervousness to the back of his mind so that he is able to talk with Hinata’s father to ask for permission to continue his courtship of the man’s daughter. “I wish to thank you for agreeing to see me Haishi-sama. As you are aware I have initiated my clan’s Courtship Ritual and am here to ask for your permission to continue to formally court Hinata-chan.”
Haishi continues to watch the young Jounin for a few more moments before he speaks. “I have heard many things about you Raven-sama,” the man says. “Both Kurenai-san and Hokage-sama speak very highly of you. However, still I find it difficult to see why I should allow a Hiroku to court my clan’s heir, the same Hiroku she is already arranged to marry.”
Raven nods in understanding, “I am well aware of the bad blood that still remains between our two clans. However, I am also aware that it was your clan that was assigned to escort my mother to her meeting with the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village even after their attempt at kidnapping Hinata. I am also aware that one of your clan’s medic-nin was willing to sacrifice her life to save my mother when they were attacked,” he says.
“Though my father may hold your clan responsible for my mother’s death I am grateful to your clan for trying to save her life.” Though his face and voice show no signs of emotion his eyes reveal the truth of his words. “I bare no ill will towards the Hyuga clan and like my mother I wish to end the bad blood between our clans. “I care a great deal for Hinata-chan,” he admits to the girl’s father.
“I only wish to make her happy. As you have said we are already arranged to be married, yet to me such a union would be empty without taking the time to get to know each other properly. It is for this very reason that I have begun the Courtship Ritual and it is also for this same reason that I am before you now asking for your permission to continue with the ritual.”
Haishi considers the young man’s words and the joy he has seen on Hinata’s face the last few days. Raven’s mention of his mother’s death and his gratitude to the Hyugas for trying to save her life had meant more to
him they he would ever let anyone ever know. ‘If he can forgive us for his loss and even thank us for the failed attempt at preventing that loss then perhaps he is not like his father after all.’
After several long moments the older man finally spoke. “You have given me much to consider young Hiroku. While I am still uncertain as to what to make of your words I shall allow you to continue to court my daughter for the time being. However, I reserve the right to revoke that permission at anytime before the ritual’s completion. Is that understood?”
“Hai,” Raven nods. “Thank you for your time Haishi-sama.”
==============================
A/N: I need to give credit where credit is due. I actually "borrowed" the formual for the Courtship Ritual from an author over at Forever Fandom.net by the name of Doomanator. I read her work about a year back and thought it was an excellent idea. I haven't seen any of her work in nearly a year and don't even know if she's still writting but if she I hope that she doesn't mind my using her idea for this story. It was just too good to not to use.