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“So...” Konohamaru’s gaze remained fixed anywhere that wasn’t the head of the Hyūga clan. Oh . Would you look at that; the herbs resting by the window were simply sublime —
A cat jumped from seemingly out of nowhere to his lap. Konohamaru chuckled nervously as the cat rubbed its face against his arm. For a moment he was tempted to slide his fingers through its soft fur but the all-seeing eyes of the leader stopped him. “It’s alright if I pet your cat, right? I mean— it’s okay if you’re not okay with it, I totally understand!”
An amused smile crossed her face as she gave her approval. “Despite appearances, many in the compound have a great love for cats and after a while they tend to become spoiled with all that attention.”
“I see.” Konohamaru’s shoulders lost a fraction of their tension as the cat purred louder and louder with each pet. In a way it was comforting. The cat’s outgoing personality and its striking orange fur had a way of reminding him of Naruto.
Naruto who would always speak what was in his mind. Naruto who would never back down from a challenge. Naruto who… would risk it all for the sake of everything he holds dear.
It wasn’t hard for him to imagine himself holding Hanabi’s hand, nor a pair of smaller hands between the two of them. Three or maybe even four teacups resting on the terrace— she always did love the outdoors; surely she would teach their children to love it as well. White was the color of nothingness and yet he could see everything in her viridescent eyes.
The image of family.
The image of love .
As if a switch was turned, he raised his head to meet the gaze of the lady. Naruto wouldn’t cower before his (future) sister-in-law and head of his girlfriend’s clan. Konohamaru had nothing to fear. After all, he had promised Hanabi happiness and he would be damned if he didn’t keep his word. If Hinata loved her sister even a fraction as much as Hanabi loved her , then she would surely understand his sentiment.
“I apologize for my hesitation earlier, I’m ready to tell you everything.” At the nod of her head he continued, “I know that the Hyūga clan is steeped in tradition and I respect it so here I am. As I understand, only you may give your blessing to allow marriage between a Hyūga and… an outsider. Hanabi adores you— loves you. It’s not just about clan politics, I’m sure it would mean a lot to her if she had her dearest sister’s blessing.”
All previous amusement abandoned her semblance though Konohamaru was relieved to see no hostility in her gaze. Mere curiosity. “And if you didn’t have my blessing?”
“I love Hyūga Hanabi,” he said without hesitation. “But I would still ask her to allow me to be her husband. I’m confident that I can provide her with happiness and everything she could need, that’s why I can confidently ask this of her.”
Hinata nodded her head and hummed thoughtfully. “Alright. Now, let’s say that she denies you.”
Konohamaru only gave her melancholy smile. “She is a grown woman and no matter what chooses I will respect her wishes. I only ask that you give me the chance to make mine known to her.”
Hinata’s serenity and amusement soon returned. “I see. I’m glad to hear that, Konohamaru-kun.” As an afterthought she added, “This was a much more thorough explanation than what Naruto-kun told me.”
He took a calming breath but the flush that covered his face was inevitable. Why was he such a blabbermouth? “He—he told you?”
“Naruto-kun also told me that you intended to become an instructor for Genin teams, so congratulations are in order.”
A smile twitched at the corner of his lips and the redness of his face grew stronger. “Yeah, I think it’s a cool job to guide the new generations on a good path, I'll teach them everything I know in a fun way because training in our times was harsh .”
“Yes, I suppose it’s a benefit of peacetime. I also heard that you rejected a place in ANBU,” Hinata added conversationally. “I’m curious, why was that?”
Konohamaru shrugged. “As a clan head I’m sure you’re very familiar with the mortality rate in ANBU. I can’t go and leave my wife a widow right off the bat, right?”
“That is true,” she murmured. “I must say that I’m relieved that you have considered all of this.”
At this Konohamaru perked up. Is this it? He straightened his back, not realizing when he had managed to relax. In a way it was nice. Despite all the wonders that Hanabi spoke of her sister, it didn’t change the fact that she had been heavily involved in clan politics after their father’s demise in the war. A teenage clan head in the midst of already established politicians and yet the Hyūga clan suffered no heavy blow under her command. Politics were messy, he learned that from his grandfather, and they eroded people until they were but husks of what they used to be.
In order to counter the rebellious Hyūga council’s authority she married the Godaime Hokage, Uchiha Itachi. At least that was the impression among those who were unfamiliar with them. Aside from Hanabi’s words, what made Konohamaru believe in the sincerity of their marriage was the lack of necessity of it.
Itachi always had Hinata’s support to enforce major changes to the system such as upping the age of Genin graduation regardless of their relationship. Likewise, he remained an ever present pillar of support for her leadership against her traditionalist dominated council. They honored their oaths to each other and emerged unscathed from the erosion.
Gone was the distant mirthful observer and Hinata’s eyes gained Hanabi’s warmth. Genuine. “You make Hanabi happy and as such, you have my approval if you wish to propose.”
“ Yes!” Forgetting himself, he carefully set the cat on the floor before he jumped to his feet and pumped a fist in the air. “Thank you, Hina— I mean, Hyūga-sama. I promise you won’t hear too many complaints about me.”
With a chuckle she rose to her feet and patted his shoulder. “I know you’re a good man, you have nothing to prove to me. I wish you luck with Hanabi. If I can help anything please let me know,” she said a mischievous grin. “I have my ways to obtain anything you may need in record time.”
“Wow thanks, that’s really nice of you,” he said with a wide smile. In the back of his mind perhaps he did realize the oddness that was the head of the Hyūga clan knowing far too much than she should’ve known but the haze of happiness was a blur. He only patted the small box in his pocket and stared expectantly at her.
Hinata blinked. Did she miss something? “Is there anything else?”
“Um, I was just waiting for the ‘if you make her cry’ talk so I could assure you of my intentions…”
Hinata’s smile became a chuckle. “Well… if you wish for the ‘if you make her cry’ speech then here it is. If Hanabi ever sheds tears, you’re always welcome here and we will talk it out together. There is no chance for compromise without the willingness to share your thoughts.”
It was one thing to listen to Hanabi drone off, talking about her older sister but to witness the reciprocation of such feelings… “You truly care about her, don’t you?”
“Hanabi is my little sister, her happiness is a priority for me.” Hinata raised a teacup to her lips as a sly smile touched her lips. “And as her significant other, I will also welcome you for a chat if she makes you cry. I know how she can be.”
Konohamaru could only chuckle nervously. “Uh, thanks…”
oOo
“So what’s the verdict?”
“It is hard to tell,” Hinata sighed. “Konohamaru-kun already has a ring but it has been a week since Hanabi asked for permission to propose to him .”
Naruto burst out in laughter. “I bet Konohamaru will beat her to the question. You know how he is, with Hinata’s permission it’s only a matter of hours.”
“I think Hanabi will beat him to it,” Sasuke interjected. “We all know how extravagant she can be, so with an entire week of preparation she must have something planned already. What do you think, Itachi?”
He glanced at the trio beside him thoughtfully as he set down his chopsticks by his ramen bowl. “Who knows, but since it’s those two this is bound to end in disaster.”
“Sucks to be you, Hokage-sama,” Shisui snickered. “Guess who’s going to have to clean up after them.”
“Yeah, what if she uses explosives or something?” Naruto murmured. “That’s going to be a pain to clean up and explain to the villagers.”
“He’s right!” Shisui exclaimed with faux alarm. After Konohamaru, the one who most enjoyed the aftermath of her antics was without a doubt Shisui. “But I’m sure our dear Hokage can handle this simple matter.”
Instead of sighing at his pending ruined weekend, a smirk crossed Itachi’s face. “Not at all. Since this is such a small matter I think I will delegate the task to someone else while I enjoy my in-law’s engagement celebration.” Hinata raised a hand to cover her own amusement. Itachi pretended to be deep in thought as he picked the seafood from her bowl. “Hinata, do you think Shisui’s squad can handle clean up duty?”
Now, there were several options to consider. As Hanabi’s head of clan, she was responsible for her, but… did she really want to do all the paperwork involved in dispatching her clanmates to clean up Hanabi’s potential mess?
Did she really want to clean up after Konohamaru’s mess? As a future in-law he was also her responsibility to an extent.
“As a probably massive public disturbance, I’m afraid it does fall under ANBU jurisdiction Shisui. I’m sorry.”
“Traitor,” Shisui snorted. “This is what marriage does to people.”
Sasuke shuddered. “It’s not marriage, it’s the older sibling alliance. You should know better than to expect Hinata or Itachi or side with anyone other than each other.”
This time both Hinata and Itachi sighed.