Love, Honor, and Blood

“Why don’t you stand up for yourself and tell your father how you feel? It’s your life… why should we be confined to each other?”

The words ringed inside Hinata’s head after Sasuke had closed the screen door behind him and left the gates. Sasuke felt the same as she did about the marriage. Maybe there was a way to talk to her father about this.

“So what did you two talk about?” Hiashi asked his daughter. Hinata grew a deeps shade of red again. She couldn’t possibly tell her father about the conversation they just had! That would be suicide on her part! Running ideas through her head, she tried to think of something she could get away with. “We talked about having a date at his estate next week.” She lied, something she was terribly weak at, “He said he would be able to get Kakashi to chaperone it.”

“That fine.” Hiashi said, appeased with the idea of other date for the two, “We’ll have to make arrangements for the date, but it seems you two are getting along very well.”

“Yes father, we surprisingly have a lot in common that I did not realize.” Hinata responded, her eyes immediately looking at the straw mats on the floor, “I wish we had enough time to truly discuss it.” It was probably the only thing true to the conversation they were having. “Do you mind if I change and hang out with Neji and Naruto Father?” Hinata asked serenely.

“Yes, go ahead.” The head Hyuuga said waving her off, “Just don’t do anything that will ruin the Marriage.”

Hinata swallowed hard at her father’s comment. When Neji said everyone knew, did that mean her father as well? She prayed not. “Of course, Father” she said bowing respectfully and turning to leave, “I would never dishonor our family’s name.”

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Sasuke left the Hyuuga estate feeling bitter and incredibly angry. The site of the two boys together was eating at him slowly, like rocks eroding in a riverbed. How could Naruto do that to him! He told him that he loved him! The vivid images in his mind grew of the boys laughing, kissing, touching…

“No! It can’t be like that!” Sauske said in disbelief, “Naruto loves me. He wouldn’t and the blonde isn’t capable of hurting people he loves.”

With those words, an idea grew in the Uchiha’s head; he could be faking it. The blonde probably enlisted in the help of Neji to get him back! A wicked curl grew upon his face. All he would have to do is spy on them and see what was really going down. If they weren’t all over each other, then all doubts could be cleared out of Sasuke’s head, but if they were fooling around….

He tried not to think of it. He couldn’t see his uke kissing anyone but him. It was impossible; it would be impossible until he turned back to the Hyuuga estate and spied on the two boys and got his proof.

Proof that only Naruto loved him.

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Naruto and Neji waited patiently underneath the willow, waiting to see if the Light-eyed girl would show up. “Do you think she will show Neji?” Naruto asked curiously, “It’s been almost an hour since we interrupted them.”

“Patience Naruto,” Neji replied, taking this time out to meditate and collect his emotions if Hinata came, “Only time can tell.”

“Well, I’m only waiting around another hour or I’m going to Ichiraku again.” Naruto said whining, “All this doing nothing is just making me think of Sasuke, and when I think of him, I think about gorging myself with ramen.”

“Patience is a virtue Naruto.” Neji reminded him, “She’s gonna come.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I just know Naruto. Trust me. We’re of the same blood.”

Within moments of finishing the two heard the screen door open, revealing Hinata in her usual garments. Immediately Naruto straightened up, trying to put on an act, which was something easier said than done. “Hi Hinata!” He said some, pep in his voice, “Come on over!” Neji opened one eye to acknowledge that she was there, and closed them again. On the outside he looked calm and collected, but on the inside, he was a mess. What was it about her that made him so nervous? This had never happened before… maybe it was because of the plans they going through with. He really didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

Hinata smiled brightly at the two boys and sat next to them underneath the willow. “So what have you boys been up too?” She asked timidly, even though she felt awkward.

“Oh, nothing too much.” Naruto said thinking searching for words while bringing his hands up over his head, “We… we… we were-“

“We were talking about relationships Hinata.” Neji said opening his eyes to interrupt Naruto, “And of your marriage to Sasuke-kun.”

“Oh.” Hinata replied plainly, “Interesting.”

“Yes, as well as your former crush on Naruto.”

Hinata’s eyes grew wide. “You did what!?”

“No, no, no!” Naruto said interrupting. “It’s a good thing! I promise!”

“What do you mean?” Hinata said near tears that Neji had done such a terrible thing..

“Well… I… I…I”

“He was just telling me about how when he learned of the wedding and was very jealous of you two.” Neji said interrupting again.

Both Hinata and Naruto looked at Neji, their eyes wide. Hinata was in disbelief, and Naruto was amazed that he had come up with a plan so quickly. Hinata then turned her sights to Naruto. “Is… is that true?” she asked.

Naruto nodded his head slowly. He wasn’t lying technically; he was telling the truth by saying he was jealous of the two without specifying. “Oh.” Hinata said plainly. “I guess, it’s just unusual to hear you say that…. I mean, after all these years.”

“Yeah, I realize. It’s awkward, especially since you’re getting married” Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.

“Yeah, I just don’t know how to take it I guess, I mean; I really did like you a lot Naruto-kun.” Hinata replied, her voice softer with each word, “It’s just the fact that if I ruin this marriage, then father would disown me, you know that.”

“I’d still like to give it a chance.” Naruto said understanding, “Even if it was just casual hanging out I’d be happy with that. I mean, if it doesn’t work out, at least we gave it a chance.”

“Give me some time to think about it.”

“Of course Hinata-chan. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.”

Immediately the image of her father appeared in Hinata’s mind. Force; it’s what her father always made her do. She never had an option ever. She was force into the first family, forced to withhold the family name, forced to marry Sasuke-kun. When would she ever be allowed to choose for herself?

“You know what? I’ll give it a chance.” Hinata decided.

“What?” Both Naruto and Neji said in unison.

“I want to be able to make my own decision for once.” She said plainly as she stood up, “I think hanging out with you would be a good idea, let along it will be probably one of the last decisions I’ll be able to make. Now I promised father I wouldn’t be out too late, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take my leave. Good night guys.”

Hinata bowed slightly before turning to for the screen door. Once inside, Hinata clutched her hand to her chest tightly. Was she making the right choice? Was it right to give Naruto a chance, even though she knew the outcome wouldn’t be good? She wouldn’t know until they hung out….

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….”That went a lot better than I had expected.” Neji said plainly, now wiping the sweat that formed on his brow, “I expected her to possibly say no, just because she usually asks her father before doing anything.”

“Speak for you,” Naruto whined slightly, I don’t even know what I’m going to do with her! I’m not even attracted to her!”

“Well you’re going to have to pretend that she’s Sasuke then.” Neji said immediately, “It wont work any other way.”

“I know.” Nartuo said with a slight whimper, “It’s just I don’t think it’s fair that she’s gonna get hurt in the end just so we can get what we what. I mean, even your outcome with her isn’t gaurenteed Neji.”

“It’s a chance I have to take….”




Sasuke listened intently behind the wall of the Hyuuga estate. If this was their intention, he would have to make them fail. As much as Sasuke wanted to be with Naruto, duty came first. It always did in his family and it would remain as such….

…. No matter how miserable he’d be in the end.