endless_scrolls (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
endless_scrolls) wrote2006-10-08 06:57 pm
endless_scrolls) wrote2006-10-08 06:57 pm
April: What We Do For Love
Title: What We Do For Love
Type: Fanfic
Fandom: Naruto
Theme: April - Fooled you!
Character(s): Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata, Tenten, Hyuuga Neji
Pairing(s): NejiTen, NaruHina, NaruTen, NejiHina
Warning(s): Lots of deception
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words.
Note: Told from each point of view to move the events along
- Naruto -
It was a genius plan and the only one I could think of within the given time frame. I was surprised at how quickly the proposal formed in my head. Then again, when the girl you love is being forced to marry someone else, you’re brain kicks into high gear to try and stop that from happening.
“This might work,” Tenten said in agreement, the tear stains on her face still evident that my plan would be her salvation.
As the heir to the entire Hyuuga clan, Hinata had used her power and standing to finally convince the council to abolish both houses. While they wholly agreed with her suggestion, such a feat could not be done without performing the proper rituals. In this situation, one member of each line must join in union to produce an heir, the baby standing as a symbol of the joining houses. And so both Neji and Hinata were presented with an unwanted arrangement.
“No one would ever believe it,” Neji protested, once again proving to all of us how pessimistic he could really be.
“What other choice do we have?” I pointed out, “You love Tenten, don’t you?”
“There is no question to that,” the Hyuuga Branch member snapped defensively.
“Then this is our only option since the Hyuuga clan doesn’t appear to be giving up on this idea of marriage between you and Hinata,” I said, determined to make this work, “At least this way everyone wins.”
“He’s right Neji,” Hinata agreed softly, a bit uneasy about lying to the entire village, “Father and the council have left us little choice in this matter.”
The three of us nodded at her statement, watching the soon to be former Branch member for his reaction. True to his stoic personality, there was no emotion in his face or behavior as he stood there mulling over the idea. I knew when I was proposing the plan that he would be the hardest to convince, being so bent on following traditions. But in this case, he had something more precious to him than family customs. His love for Tenten was far too great to be pushed aside and the hate he held for his family was to severe to give in to their will so easily.
“This is insane,” the Hyuuga prodigy finally said, briefly discouraging us all.
But as insane as it was, Neji still eventually agreed to it. And so our plan was set in motion almost immediately. It would be a year before Hinata and Neji would make an announce about their engagement, their clan needed time to prepare for the grand banquet that would be held in their honor. That would give Tenten and I plenty of time to develop a believable relationship. The plan called for the two of us to announce our own engagement about the same time as the Hyuuga cousins.
“Alright, here’s what we do,” I said as we all huddled together, “We’ll wait a few days before we try anything so that the Hyuugas won’t get suspicious.”
The three listened attentively as I explained in full detail what we would have to do. I paid specific attention explaining to them what was to be done should certain problems arise, making sure that I had a backup strategy for every hindrance that I could think of that would spoil our arrangement. Every detail was taken care of. The plan was full-proof…at least I hoped that it was.
- Hinata -
The public breakups were the hardest part of the entire plan. In order to make everything believable, all existing ties between us had to appear to be severed. The appearance of witnesses were necessary so there could be no doubt. The argument that occurred between Neji and Tenten in front of the Hyuuga mansion was especially violent, making me believe that it was more than acting that fueled that scene. Then again, the scene that Naruto and I presented wasn’t any less explosive, but I doubt the two of them had practiced for hours the night before.
And so, no one seemed overly surprised when Tenten and Naruto announced their engagement, only days after Neji and I had made a proclamation about ours. After all, the two of them had a year to convince the village of their growing infatuation with each other. Though neither me nor Neji liked the thought of the two of them openly showing affection towards each other, no matter how false those gestures were, we both knew that it was necessary for the plan to work and so swallowed our jealousy.
In turn, it was our job to appear as happy and in love as they were. The village had to be forced to look past the relationship that existed before in order to accept the seemingly wonderful relationships that appeared before them now. In a gesture of respect and reconciliation, I proposed the idea of holding a double wedding for the four of us, having no objections from my father or anyone on the council. They all knew the importance of having a strong trust between teammates and wished to sweep aside any bad feelings that might have remained between Neji and Tenten. There was no hesitation when the weapon-loving kunoichi and the future Hokage happily agreed.
Now it was the night before our two weddings and I was confined within the walls of the Hyuuga compound with Naruto sleeping only a few rooms down. Neji had graciously took Tenten’s offer to stay at her house for the night keeping to the tradition of the twenty four hour separation before the wedding.
A light rapping on my door, pulled me from my thoughts of our deception. Quietly getting out of bed, I went to open the door only to find Naruto sanding there in nothing but his boxers. A light blush found its way to my face as the blonde Hokage in-training entered my room and closed the door without a word.
“Naruto, I don’t think you should be here,” I finally managed to say.
“Relax, I checked and everyone’s asleep,” the blonde shinobi said in a calm manner, “Besides, I have to do something to make up for not being able to be with you on your wedding night.”
“What about Neji and Tenten?” I asked, unsure why I was worried about any objections they would have against this.
“They’re probably doing the same thing,” Naruto replied thoughtfully, “After all, the first time needs to be for love, not necessity.”
I made to protest, but stopped when the full impact of his words hit me. He was right of course. The clan would be watching our bedchambers tomorrow night, expecting me and Neji to start working on conceiving an heir immediately. Such an intimate connection as that should be about something more than fulfilling a duty. As much as I cared for my cousin, I knew that I would hate him for the rest of my life because of that, and Naruto knew that as well.
“Please,” the demon carrier pleaded softly and lovingly, “Let me give this to you.”
“…Alright,” I finally said in agreement, “Let tonight be about love.”
- Tenten -
I lean in to kiss his cheek, as a loving wife should. But we both knew that was a false gesture of affection, at least the kind of affection that should exist in a marriage. But this was no true union, the entire marriage was false, the both of us only agreeing to the union to fool the rest of the village of our deceit. Not a day went by where we didn’t look back on our decision. But there was no regret in our minds, knowing that the decision was made for the benefit of all parties concerned.
“I’ll go get the scrolls,” Neji said, getting up from his seat.
“I’ll go with you,” Hinata offered politely, playing the role of the dutiful wife as if she were made for it.
“No, one of us has to stay with our guests,” the Hyuuga prodigy pointed out, “I’m sure Tenten wouldn’t mind helping me, right?”
“No, of course not,” I said with as innocent a smile that I could muster.
With a nod of respect to the other guests present as well as the kind Hyuuga hostess, I got up to follow my white-eyed teammate. Unable to ignore the suspicious look in my blonde husband’s eyes and the glare of warning to the both of us, I quickened my pace in hopes of escaping his silent wrath.
The halls of the Hyuuga mansion was littered with clan members, milling about in their mundane lives as the two of us headed towards the private wing of the house that was given to Hinata and Neji as a wedding present. Separated by two grand doors, I turned the corner into the sacred area reserved for the two cousins and was instantly but gently slammed against the nearby wall as the double doors shut with a resounding clang. Finding myself mere inches away from Neji’s face, I could only smirk with mischief as he leaned in for a hungry kiss.
“Neji,” I whispered softly, partially in warning and partially in yearning.
His lips were rough and demanding as they caressed every inch of my skin they could reach with an unyielding passion that I had never witnessed before. Consciously reveling in the intimate contact, I allowed my hands to roam his sculpted body, feeling the results of the hours of training he had put into becoming the best shinobi in the entire village. And just when I thought that he would take me there on the floor of the hallway, a soft cough echoed in interruption, soon followed by another click of the doors shutting. Instantly stopping in our movements, our heads snapped to the door only to be greeted by a blushing Hinata and an annoyed Naruto.
“You mind taking your hands off my wife?” the blond Hokage in-training said, lifting a brow in annoyance.
“Sure,” Neji replied in the same manner, “I will as soon as you take your hands off of mine.”
“What the hell are you two thinking?” Naruto reprimanded, “We’re in the Hyuuga mansion for goodness sakes!”
“Relax, this area is off limits to everyone else unless they’re invited,” the Hyuuga prodigy replied in a cool manner, “Besides, I had my Byukagen activated.”
“You still took a big risk doing that here,” the blonde shinobi said.
“In case you didn’t get the memo, we’re all taking a big risk keeping up with plan of yours,” my teammate and secret lover said in retort.
“Calm down guys,” I said in an attempt to keep the peace between the boys, “We didn’t come here to argue about this again.”
“Why did you girls call us here?” Naruto inquired, quickly forgetting the argument.
“Because we have a problem,” I replied hesitantly, unsure as to how to approach the subject.
“Well, out with it then,” Neji said in impatience, “What’s wrong?”
“Well, you see,” Hinata started as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers, “It seems that Tenten and I, well…we’re pregnant.”
- Neji -
“This is a problem,” I said, stating the obvious.
It was a pure miracle that both Tenten and Hinata had gotten pregnant at the same time. It was an even bigger impossibility when they went into labor and gave birth at the same time. But as all good things go, our luck had ran out the moment those two babies came into the world. I was in awe as I stared at the blue-eyed child Hinata had given birth to, obviously sired by the blonde Hokage in-training. And as if fate just couldn’t screw with us enough, my dear Tenten had given birth to a white-eyed Hyuuga heir.
“Gee, you think?” Naruto stated sarcastically, holding the child that undoubtedly was mine, “No wonder everyone calls you a genius.”
Ignoring his last comment, I turned back to the baby in Hinata’s arms. Thankfully the babies hadn’t opened their eyes yet when Sakura had handed them off to their seemingly respective fathers.
“So what do we do now?” Tenten asked, motioning her arms in a gesture saying that she wanted to hold her baby.
“What other choice do we have?” Naruto stated as he handed the baby over to its mother, “We have to switch the babies.”
It was a good idea and the only logical thing we could do. The distinguishing features of each child would soon bring attention to the underlying truth behind our two marriages. And then all the preparation and planning as well as time that we had invested in this arrangement would be blown to pieces. The last thing we needed now was a scandal to unearth itself.
But despite how sound and reasonable Naruto’s idea was, I couldn’t ignore the solemn expressions on the new mother’s faces. They knew the truth behind the blonde Hokage’s words. But it still didn’t make the thought of giving up their children to be raised by someone else any easier.
“Naruto’s right,” Hinata said unexpectedly, stroking her blue-eyed child lovingly, “We have to switch the babies.”
“Are you sure about this?” I asked, knowing how hard it was for her and Tenten to agree to such an idea, “Giving up your own child is no easy task.”
“I agree, you don‘t have to do this if you don‘t want to,” Naruto said, beginning to have doubts about his initial idea, “We can figure something else out.”
The room fell silent as the two mothers watched their respective sons in quiet reflection. I could see the mental struggle that was going on in Tenten’s mind, so much like what was happening within Hinata’s thoughts.
“The boys will be in the care of their fathers, and I don’t know about Hinata but that’s good enough for me,” the older kunoichi said, “These are the sacrifices we must make in life.”
“I agree with Tenten,” the Hyuuga heiress said confidently, “I know I will take good care of her son, just as she will take good care of mine.”
Without a word, Hinata slowly got out of bed, protesting when either Naruto or I tried to help her as she made her way over to Tenten. With one last look at their sweet children, both women exchange their babies for the other’s, silently willing away any tears that threatened to fall down their face.
“Is this what we are reduced to?” I said quietly when Hinata was back in her hospital bed with my son, “Is this the price of happiness?”
“This is the price that was set before us by your family, Neji,” Tenten said, unable to hold back her bitterness, “To the world they seem flawless, but the four of us know the truth: that they’re all fools parading as nobles.”
“Then I guess it’s fitting that their heirs are born on this day,” Naruto said as he glanced at the calendar on the wall.
Following his gaze, I looked up at the date that was posted on the white, sterile wall. It was then that we all finally took noticed to what day it was: April 1st.
Type: Fanfic
Fandom: Naruto
Theme: April - Fooled you!
Character(s): Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata, Tenten, Hyuuga Neji
Pairing(s): NejiTen, NaruHina, NaruTen, NejiHina
Warning(s): Lots of deception
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words.
Note: Told from each point of view to move the events along
- Naruto -
It was a genius plan and the only one I could think of within the given time frame. I was surprised at how quickly the proposal formed in my head. Then again, when the girl you love is being forced to marry someone else, you’re brain kicks into high gear to try and stop that from happening.
“This might work,” Tenten said in agreement, the tear stains on her face still evident that my plan would be her salvation.
As the heir to the entire Hyuuga clan, Hinata had used her power and standing to finally convince the council to abolish both houses. While they wholly agreed with her suggestion, such a feat could not be done without performing the proper rituals. In this situation, one member of each line must join in union to produce an heir, the baby standing as a symbol of the joining houses. And so both Neji and Hinata were presented with an unwanted arrangement.
“No one would ever believe it,” Neji protested, once again proving to all of us how pessimistic he could really be.
“What other choice do we have?” I pointed out, “You love Tenten, don’t you?”
“There is no question to that,” the Hyuuga Branch member snapped defensively.
“Then this is our only option since the Hyuuga clan doesn’t appear to be giving up on this idea of marriage between you and Hinata,” I said, determined to make this work, “At least this way everyone wins.”
“He’s right Neji,” Hinata agreed softly, a bit uneasy about lying to the entire village, “Father and the council have left us little choice in this matter.”
The three of us nodded at her statement, watching the soon to be former Branch member for his reaction. True to his stoic personality, there was no emotion in his face or behavior as he stood there mulling over the idea. I knew when I was proposing the plan that he would be the hardest to convince, being so bent on following traditions. But in this case, he had something more precious to him than family customs. His love for Tenten was far too great to be pushed aside and the hate he held for his family was to severe to give in to their will so easily.
“This is insane,” the Hyuuga prodigy finally said, briefly discouraging us all.
But as insane as it was, Neji still eventually agreed to it. And so our plan was set in motion almost immediately. It would be a year before Hinata and Neji would make an announce about their engagement, their clan needed time to prepare for the grand banquet that would be held in their honor. That would give Tenten and I plenty of time to develop a believable relationship. The plan called for the two of us to announce our own engagement about the same time as the Hyuuga cousins.
“Alright, here’s what we do,” I said as we all huddled together, “We’ll wait a few days before we try anything so that the Hyuugas won’t get suspicious.”
The three listened attentively as I explained in full detail what we would have to do. I paid specific attention explaining to them what was to be done should certain problems arise, making sure that I had a backup strategy for every hindrance that I could think of that would spoil our arrangement. Every detail was taken care of. The plan was full-proof…at least I hoped that it was.
- Hinata -
The public breakups were the hardest part of the entire plan. In order to make everything believable, all existing ties between us had to appear to be severed. The appearance of witnesses were necessary so there could be no doubt. The argument that occurred between Neji and Tenten in front of the Hyuuga mansion was especially violent, making me believe that it was more than acting that fueled that scene. Then again, the scene that Naruto and I presented wasn’t any less explosive, but I doubt the two of them had practiced for hours the night before.
And so, no one seemed overly surprised when Tenten and Naruto announced their engagement, only days after Neji and I had made a proclamation about ours. After all, the two of them had a year to convince the village of their growing infatuation with each other. Though neither me nor Neji liked the thought of the two of them openly showing affection towards each other, no matter how false those gestures were, we both knew that it was necessary for the plan to work and so swallowed our jealousy.
In turn, it was our job to appear as happy and in love as they were. The village had to be forced to look past the relationship that existed before in order to accept the seemingly wonderful relationships that appeared before them now. In a gesture of respect and reconciliation, I proposed the idea of holding a double wedding for the four of us, having no objections from my father or anyone on the council. They all knew the importance of having a strong trust between teammates and wished to sweep aside any bad feelings that might have remained between Neji and Tenten. There was no hesitation when the weapon-loving kunoichi and the future Hokage happily agreed.
Now it was the night before our two weddings and I was confined within the walls of the Hyuuga compound with Naruto sleeping only a few rooms down. Neji had graciously took Tenten’s offer to stay at her house for the night keeping to the tradition of the twenty four hour separation before the wedding.
A light rapping on my door, pulled me from my thoughts of our deception. Quietly getting out of bed, I went to open the door only to find Naruto sanding there in nothing but his boxers. A light blush found its way to my face as the blonde Hokage in-training entered my room and closed the door without a word.
“Naruto, I don’t think you should be here,” I finally managed to say.
“Relax, I checked and everyone’s asleep,” the blonde shinobi said in a calm manner, “Besides, I have to do something to make up for not being able to be with you on your wedding night.”
“What about Neji and Tenten?” I asked, unsure why I was worried about any objections they would have against this.
“They’re probably doing the same thing,” Naruto replied thoughtfully, “After all, the first time needs to be for love, not necessity.”
I made to protest, but stopped when the full impact of his words hit me. He was right of course. The clan would be watching our bedchambers tomorrow night, expecting me and Neji to start working on conceiving an heir immediately. Such an intimate connection as that should be about something more than fulfilling a duty. As much as I cared for my cousin, I knew that I would hate him for the rest of my life because of that, and Naruto knew that as well.
“Please,” the demon carrier pleaded softly and lovingly, “Let me give this to you.”
“…Alright,” I finally said in agreement, “Let tonight be about love.”
- Tenten -
I lean in to kiss his cheek, as a loving wife should. But we both knew that was a false gesture of affection, at least the kind of affection that should exist in a marriage. But this was no true union, the entire marriage was false, the both of us only agreeing to the union to fool the rest of the village of our deceit. Not a day went by where we didn’t look back on our decision. But there was no regret in our minds, knowing that the decision was made for the benefit of all parties concerned.
“I’ll go get the scrolls,” Neji said, getting up from his seat.
“I’ll go with you,” Hinata offered politely, playing the role of the dutiful wife as if she were made for it.
“No, one of us has to stay with our guests,” the Hyuuga prodigy pointed out, “I’m sure Tenten wouldn’t mind helping me, right?”
“No, of course not,” I said with as innocent a smile that I could muster.
With a nod of respect to the other guests present as well as the kind Hyuuga hostess, I got up to follow my white-eyed teammate. Unable to ignore the suspicious look in my blonde husband’s eyes and the glare of warning to the both of us, I quickened my pace in hopes of escaping his silent wrath.
The halls of the Hyuuga mansion was littered with clan members, milling about in their mundane lives as the two of us headed towards the private wing of the house that was given to Hinata and Neji as a wedding present. Separated by two grand doors, I turned the corner into the sacred area reserved for the two cousins and was instantly but gently slammed against the nearby wall as the double doors shut with a resounding clang. Finding myself mere inches away from Neji’s face, I could only smirk with mischief as he leaned in for a hungry kiss.
“Neji,” I whispered softly, partially in warning and partially in yearning.
His lips were rough and demanding as they caressed every inch of my skin they could reach with an unyielding passion that I had never witnessed before. Consciously reveling in the intimate contact, I allowed my hands to roam his sculpted body, feeling the results of the hours of training he had put into becoming the best shinobi in the entire village. And just when I thought that he would take me there on the floor of the hallway, a soft cough echoed in interruption, soon followed by another click of the doors shutting. Instantly stopping in our movements, our heads snapped to the door only to be greeted by a blushing Hinata and an annoyed Naruto.
“You mind taking your hands off my wife?” the blond Hokage in-training said, lifting a brow in annoyance.
“Sure,” Neji replied in the same manner, “I will as soon as you take your hands off of mine.”
“What the hell are you two thinking?” Naruto reprimanded, “We’re in the Hyuuga mansion for goodness sakes!”
“Relax, this area is off limits to everyone else unless they’re invited,” the Hyuuga prodigy replied in a cool manner, “Besides, I had my Byukagen activated.”
“You still took a big risk doing that here,” the blonde shinobi said.
“In case you didn’t get the memo, we’re all taking a big risk keeping up with plan of yours,” my teammate and secret lover said in retort.
“Calm down guys,” I said in an attempt to keep the peace between the boys, “We didn’t come here to argue about this again.”
“Why did you girls call us here?” Naruto inquired, quickly forgetting the argument.
“Because we have a problem,” I replied hesitantly, unsure as to how to approach the subject.
“Well, out with it then,” Neji said in impatience, “What’s wrong?”
“Well, you see,” Hinata started as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers, “It seems that Tenten and I, well…we’re pregnant.”
- Neji -
“This is a problem,” I said, stating the obvious.
It was a pure miracle that both Tenten and Hinata had gotten pregnant at the same time. It was an even bigger impossibility when they went into labor and gave birth at the same time. But as all good things go, our luck had ran out the moment those two babies came into the world. I was in awe as I stared at the blue-eyed child Hinata had given birth to, obviously sired by the blonde Hokage in-training. And as if fate just couldn’t screw with us enough, my dear Tenten had given birth to a white-eyed Hyuuga heir.
“Gee, you think?” Naruto stated sarcastically, holding the child that undoubtedly was mine, “No wonder everyone calls you a genius.”
Ignoring his last comment, I turned back to the baby in Hinata’s arms. Thankfully the babies hadn’t opened their eyes yet when Sakura had handed them off to their seemingly respective fathers.
“So what do we do now?” Tenten asked, motioning her arms in a gesture saying that she wanted to hold her baby.
“What other choice do we have?” Naruto stated as he handed the baby over to its mother, “We have to switch the babies.”
It was a good idea and the only logical thing we could do. The distinguishing features of each child would soon bring attention to the underlying truth behind our two marriages. And then all the preparation and planning as well as time that we had invested in this arrangement would be blown to pieces. The last thing we needed now was a scandal to unearth itself.
But despite how sound and reasonable Naruto’s idea was, I couldn’t ignore the solemn expressions on the new mother’s faces. They knew the truth behind the blonde Hokage’s words. But it still didn’t make the thought of giving up their children to be raised by someone else any easier.
“Naruto’s right,” Hinata said unexpectedly, stroking her blue-eyed child lovingly, “We have to switch the babies.”
“Are you sure about this?” I asked, knowing how hard it was for her and Tenten to agree to such an idea, “Giving up your own child is no easy task.”
“I agree, you don‘t have to do this if you don‘t want to,” Naruto said, beginning to have doubts about his initial idea, “We can figure something else out.”
The room fell silent as the two mothers watched their respective sons in quiet reflection. I could see the mental struggle that was going on in Tenten’s mind, so much like what was happening within Hinata’s thoughts.
“The boys will be in the care of their fathers, and I don’t know about Hinata but that’s good enough for me,” the older kunoichi said, “These are the sacrifices we must make in life.”
“I agree with Tenten,” the Hyuuga heiress said confidently, “I know I will take good care of her son, just as she will take good care of mine.”
Without a word, Hinata slowly got out of bed, protesting when either Naruto or I tried to help her as she made her way over to Tenten. With one last look at their sweet children, both women exchange their babies for the other’s, silently willing away any tears that threatened to fall down their face.
“Is this what we are reduced to?” I said quietly when Hinata was back in her hospital bed with my son, “Is this the price of happiness?”
“This is the price that was set before us by your family, Neji,” Tenten said, unable to hold back her bitterness, “To the world they seem flawless, but the four of us know the truth: that they’re all fools parading as nobles.”
“Then I guess it’s fitting that their heirs are born on this day,” Naruto said as he glanced at the calendar on the wall.
Following his gaze, I looked up at the date that was posted on the white, sterile wall. It was then that we all finally took noticed to what day it was: April 1st.