Manga/Anime: Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto/Studio Pierrot
Words: 2 000
Publish: 06/12/2020
Summary: Under duress, Naruto and Hinata are married for better, for worse...
Author's Note: Thanks to Hippyredfox who really helped me on this short story.
It was during a spring afternoon, in a Chateau reminding the French elegance, surrounded by its flowery garden, that the Hyuuga property was lively by an long-awaited event. Under the white decor garnished with lilies, roses and lilacs enhancing the Renaissance building, an umpteenth weeding was taking place. Tradition demanded that every Hyuuga descendant pronounce their vows on the hectares of lands where their ancestors once lived.
A light gust of wind refreshed that sunny day of May. A guilty pleasure for the numerous guests already sitting on their chairs, decorating with violet silk rubans, or the others guests who kept coming under the cherry trees.
With glance at the crowd, Naruto counting the number of people he knew. Verdict, aside those sitting on the groom's side, he knew very little people. That constatation emphasised that unpleasant feeling of knotted stomach. Of course, he had to be perfect for his soon-to-be family-in-law. A smile, a good posture, he was neat and tidy; The perfect man.
Because he couldn't play with one lock of his golden hair, he discreetly pulled on his burgundy silk bow tie which was the final touch to his tuxedo.
Hopefully, the soft and kindly look of his mother put him at ease. Since little, her blue iris calmed, encouraged him in his evolution, marking the end of his childhood and the beginning towards the life of a responsible young man.
On the other hand, his father look was straight, hostile and impenetrable. Minato Namikaze was what was called: success. Never did a wrong step, he demanded that his son follows the same path and respects the legacy hardly built by their family as well. Despite his authority, Naruto couldn't help but admire him. Man feared in the business world since he was twenty yet, he was a lovely husband to Kushina and a good father of his two sons. Minato inspired respect, an example for his elder son so different than him.
Naruto was a child who always had his head in the clouds, like his mother when she was young. Wishing to live on love alone, he wasn't a competitor, a contentious. He liked simple things. Unfortunately his statut, his objectifs and his parents' pride about him made him surrender to one requirement; marriage. Barely adult, engagement was scary.
Fortunately, one detail revived his heart. The one and only woman who gave him butterflies in his stomach, who made him believe in the same love his parents had, was marrying him.
Hinata.
Long before their births, their family were company associates, working together. Consequence, Naruto and Hinata knew each other since childhood. He will always remember his first impression of her. Under her appearance of fragile, innocent little girl, he had been struck by her beautiful gaze tinted with soft lavender colour. They were frank, straight and determined. No fears. No hesitation.
Beware of not rely on her appearance and her mysterious beauty.
As years passed by, that same beauty increased, turning the young girl into a beautiful woman, gifted with a gentleness as big as her courage, always attentive and loving with her loved ones. The receipt of love into one and unique living envelope, dusting with a gentle touch, a pure laugh and big doe eyes. That's why Naruto Namikage fell in love with Hinata Hyuuga.
The only woman he ever loved.
Heart beating, legs shaking, he couldn't help but let his right hand slid on the blue silk peak lapel as to smooth it out. The excitation had prevented him from sleeping last night. He couldn't wait. He wanted to make her his wife. But, will he be a good husband? Will he respect his commitment? Will he know how to make his father proud? Will he manage his life like he did? Will he find a good balance between being a businessman and a father? Will he be able to satisfy everyone? Or will his marriage end up with a divorce?
For his future, he had to be irreproachable.
For her, he had to be perfect.
Despite his numerous thoughts and his good will to be seen relaxed, he made himself take several deep breaths. Nervous, his thumb slid across his lower lip. A smile, a bit insure, drew itself on his face when Konohamaru, his little brother and best man during that happy event, made his way towards him. By instinct? Or was it because his insecurity could be read on his features? Maybe, because he pet his shoulder as for remotivate him.
"You're doing great Naruto, change nothing."
"R-Really?" he stuttered
"Yep, I swear. Mom and dad can't stop talking about you. So stop worrying."
A look at his smiling parents, he was surprised to see Hiashi Hyuuga, the patriarch, calmed and relaxed. At his right, Neji, his friends, colleague and soon-to-be brother-in-law, sent him a thumb up, making Konohamaru snigger.
"See! Everyone is happy for you two, so can you loosen that sweet little face of yours?" the younger demanded as he poked his brother's whiskered cheek.
The annoying teasing of his little brother made his anguish disappeared but he still made his hand go away while he was muttering. He hated when he was right. Everything. Was. Fine. After all, this marriage was a good thing for everyone, right? For the companies, the families, Hinata and him.
So, why getting worried?
Once they put the rings on their fingers, they will be marry and share every moment in their life. He was ready. In health, sickness, happiness, sadness, he was ready to bend over backwards to make her happy because she was the only one to make him look on the bright side of life. He needed her, he needed her presence at his side. For better, for worse...
A flash dazzled him, awaking him from his thoughts. Shikamaru, the photographer, captured this moment of unawareness and, most importantly, the two brothers' perplexed faces. They soon demanded another shot. This time, they posed.
And there it was, the last sign before the ceremony.
The late guests rushed to their sits, others went back to theirs. Naruto stretched out his arm to Kushina who was walking him down the aisle. Making the few steps towards his future, his legs were shaking even though his mother gently drew circles on his arm with her thumb to relax him. One last metre...
A breath in.
After a kiss on his cheek, she left him alone. He rolled his shoulders to not break. He felt Konohamaru behind him and his parents in the front row. The master of ceremonies stepped next to him and when they smiled to each other, the Wedding March started.
Everything was ready.
A breath out.
She was the only one missing.
Why was it so long? Why was she taking so long? What if she ran away? Did she changed her mind? What if...
The guests turned around.
Silence fell.
He lost his breath.
No, she was right here.
At her father's arm, cheeks slightly red, she was shyly smiling to the guests now standing up. In a romantic princely dress in tulle and chantilly lace, the duchesse neckline showed off her pretty bosom. The fold of fabric highlighted her elegante silhouette and her light walk made the fabric dance.
She was so beautiful.
Radiant, her jasmine perfume came to him and gradually intoxicated his sense as she came close to him. Everyone was hypnotised by her but, no one equaled Naruto who was, once again, struck by the lavender eyes of his soon-to-be wife. Time stopped. He could only see her.
There, everything was fine.
She was right here.
It's with a lot of emotions that Hiashi gave him his daughter's hand as he squeezed his shoulder. One last reassuring look with a kindly smile, Naruto indirectly made his soon-to-be father-in-law understand that he will take good care of his precious child. It was the separation step between the world of innocence, of childhood and the world of responsibilities, of adulthood. Hiashi must have feel it. Hinata became a woman. His little princess left him for another man, for Naruto.
Naruto tried to look good all the while his heart was threatening him to explode when he brushed against Hinata's soft skin to help her with the few stairs. Behind her, Ino, her chief bridesmaid, replaced the long lace tail. Being on cloud nine, Naruto had to blink a few times, trying to take back his composure despite the destabilising goddess before him. Hands intertwined, he didn't see that time went by.
Everything speed up.
From the speech to the vows, which almost made him faint. From put the ring to their ring fingers to the 'I do', which provoked shivers across his skin. His anxiety disappeared when Hinata said those two words with her captivating voice. He was moved. Moved to see her smile. Moved to see her having fun during the night after the ceremony with her family and friends.
Under the light, the garden was shining but, nothing was similar to his feeling of happiness. There he was, married to the most beautiful woman of the world. The one who will always brighten his heart.
Everything was perfect.
From the party which lasted all night, to the departure for their honeymoon, he was looking forward to be alone with her, strengthen this bond which, from now on, made them husband and wife.
For better, for worse...
"We are on our honeymoon." he smiled like a child with his elbows on the Parisian hotel's front desk.
As she was checking them in with their passports, the clerk congratulated them. Hands intertwined, they made their way towards the lift as luxurious as the reception room. Even though it has been twenty-four hours since the splendid ceremony, Naruto was still euphoric. Happiness could be seen in his sparkling blue eyes.
Fabricated happiness which fell as soon as they were finally alone, bringing him harshly to reality.
Coldly, Hinata let go of his hand and made a step, creating distance between them. The atmosphere turned into something heavy and hostile. It fell in the cube now too small. Naruto swallowed. His throat tightened when he tried to make eye contact with his wife who was ignoring him, keeping a neutral expression. Silence was heavy. Her eyes started to shine.
Was she about to cry again?
The bell freed them from the awkwardness which took place between them, hiding the sound his heart did when it broke. Hinata got ahead of him to unlock the door of the hotel room to rush in the bathroom, locking herself up without saying a word. There he was, alone in the middle of their honeymoon suite, being in the grip of his questions about the nature of their relationship.
Even the room, tinted with red and gold, too bright for Naruto, and the view on the Eiffel tower, still lighted, didn't bring back his smile. He stopped his tears, telling himself that maybe she just needed time. Yes, that's it, she needed time to realised her life was now attached to his. For better, for worse, as they vowed.
Really?
With a heavy heart, he felt lost.
It's only after fifteen interminable minutes that the white door was kicked open, making him jump. Hinata appeared, still silent. She had removed her makeup and changed but her eyes was still red and puffy because of her tears. Without a look at him, she came close to the bed, emphasing the pain of his husband who was biting the inside of his cheek.
Face to face, their eyes finally met. It was easy for him to see. Everything was crystal-clear in his wife's eyes. No, he won't hold her close to him, he won't touch her. No, not tonight and not during the other nights to come.
"Well", she sounded so detached. "Goodnight."
The fall was brutal but it was the hard reality of this arranged marriage.
Naruto loved Hinata.
Hinata hated Naruto.
I'm back with my sad mess :(