Chapter Text
The days of prospering had arrived. For years, each clan suffered from being bound to the restrictions of their villages. Their loyalties tested. Their power was stifled and their influence was snuffed out. Many noble clans knew the pain of having to bow down to outsiders. Their own tradition and heritage regulated.
After the mysterious fall of the Uchiha clan, the remaining three noble clans fell in line and remained disciplined. There was no explanation offered for what happened to the Uchiha clan but many of the heads had their assumptions. They were smart enough to not allow the same fate to meet their bloodlines.
This was easy for most as many of Konoha’s residents held pride in their village above anything else. It was easy for them to have faith that as long as they didn’t betray their village, their village would not betray them. It was a simple relationship to upkeep.
The Hyuga clan was one of the most powerful clans in Konoha. Being one of the four noble clans, their lineage was precious and necessary to the stability of the village. At least, that’s what they believed until now.
Over the past few years, the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi, was starting to feel stifled. He felt their influence was growing stagnant and opportunities for expansion and prosperity were becoming non-existent. But, after the Fourth Shinobi War, Hiashi regained hope.
With the creation of the Shinobi Alliance, relations between villages were becoming smoother. Partnerships of every kind were being formed with citizens who were enemies, opening new doorways for collaboration.
And for Hiashi, this meant expansion.
The eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan was a girl who struggled. For a long time, she was weak and helpless in the eyes of the clan. She was unworthy and cast aside but she was not left for dead. Through the recent years, Hinata began to grow into a strong and capable woman. Although her time to take over her clan had long passed, she held no resentment towards it. For the first time in years, Hinata felt that she was finally free to choose her own path.
Her heritage was a chain and ball. None knew that better than the branch family. The curse of never being free was forever marked onto their foreheads. It weighed their heads down to bow before those who they believed to be truly free. But this freedom was an illusion.
The main family had a weight on their shoulders as well. It was one that forced their backs to remain straight and their heads kept high, preventing them from ever looking down or in the past. They were never given the chance to reflect on their mistakes or the cruelty they showed to their brothers. This was their birthright. Their curse was not on their forehead, it was in their veins.
Once Hinata did not live up to the expectations of being a proper heir, that chain was passed to her sister, Hanabi. The clan had no use for her and she felt free.
She was free.
Hinata had been called into a meeting with her father and her younger sister, the current head, and heiress of the Hyuga clan. This wasn’t unusual. As members of the main family, they met on a constant basis. Living on the same compound as well, it was common to see each other often. She held no contempt when it came to her family so she felt no need to be nervous.
“Marriage?”
Now she was nervous.
She knelt on the floor in front of her father and sister. Since Hanabi was still training as the heiress of the clan, she sat next to her father in all meetings and held a voice in most decisions. Whether her voice was listened to or not, it was still there.
“I don’t understand,” Hinata said, looking between both of them for an explanation. “You’re forcing me to get married?”
“Don’t think of it in that way,” Hiashi replied. He had a smile on his face while he spoke. It offered a bit of hope in a situation where Hinata knew there was none. “You are simply fulfilling your duties to this clan. Although you are no longer the heiress, that does not mean you can forsake us.”
“I would never do that, father,” Hinata said, her head bowed before him. “I care about this clan very much.” It was true. Despite the resentment she received from members of the branch family, despite her birthright being stripped away from her, Hinata continued to feel love for her family. It was what made her strong.
Hiashi nodded. “We know, which is why we have come to this decision––”
“Father…has come to this decision.” Hanabi interrupted. Hiashi turned his gaze to his youngest daughter.
“You should know better than to interrupt the Head, Hanabi. Your training has taught you better than that.” Hiashi’s voice was stern, his smile having disappeared in the stretch of these few seconds.
Her head did not bow before her father’s stare. She met Hinata’s eyes and kept her focus there as the moment grew tense.
“I meant no disrespect. I just wanted to clarify our true intentions to Hinata. She deserves that much.” Her eyes were soft as she looked at her sister. Hanabi cared deeply for her, she always has. Even though1 she progressed faster and eventually came to surpass her sister, Hanabi wanted nothing more than to care for her. “Please continue, father.”
Hiashi cleared his throat and turned back to Hinata. “It has been discussed between us that this is the best decision for the clan. Now that we are in an alliance, we have a rare chance to expand across nations.”
“Expand?” Hinata asked.
Hiashi stood and began to walk around the room. He spoke still. “Do you remember the recent wedding of Shikamaru Nara to the princess of Suna?”
Hinata knew of it very well. She was invited to the ceremony. Most of the village was. She was also close friends with Temari and her brothers. She remembered Temari confiding in her about the political struggles that were arising. The alliance was so new. It was a rose in a history of thorns between the two villages.
However, everything turned out well in the end. Temari and Shikamaru are very happy in their relationship and both villages seem to be on better grounds because of it.
Hiashi continued to speak. “Think of what that has done for the Nara clan, marrying into a noble family. Having an influence on multiple villages. How lucky the head of their clan must feel.”
“Shikamaru is very lucky,” Hinata said. “Temari is a really wonderful and beautiful woman.”
“So are you, Hinata,” Hanabi said. Hinata blushed, giving her sister a meek smile. Hinata has never felt ugly but her confidence was still a humble foundation. She didn’t feel the need to be showered with unnecessary compliments.
“We can be lucky as well.” Hiashi jumped back in. “There is more than one heir to Suna.”
“You’re aware that Temari has two younger brothers, both unmarried with no children. The youngest, Gaara, is the Kazekage and his loins are the first to be picked when it comes to a possible successor.” Hanabi elaborated.
“You and he are the same age, yes?” Hiashi asked. It was a redundant question. Gaara and Hinata were in the same year during the Chuunin Exams. Hiashi knew this well.
Hinata finally understood. “You want me to––”
“Marry the Fifth Kazekage of Suna.” Hiashi finished her statement. Hinata looked at Hanabi, her sister’s face was sullen.
“Has this…has this already been arranged?” Hinata asked.
“No,” Hanabi said.
“We’re still in talks, but do not worry about that,” Hiashi interjected. “I’m sure the council will agree with our decision and welcome you as one of their own.” Hinata looked to her father. His back was to her now. She looked back to Hanabi whose face was still the same.
They were shipping her away to Suna. For good.
She wanted to beg for this not to happen. She wanted to fight back. Fight for that freedom she thought she had secured but those chains in her blood were still there.
“Prepare to leave soon,” Hiashi said. “I want you to meet with Gaara. Let your current relationship blossom into something beneficial for all of us.”
Hinata bowed her head, her fists clenched against her knees. She didn’t dare meet her sister’s eyes, least her tears flow freely. She knew Hanabi was watching her. She wouldn’t show any weakness.
“Yes, father,” Hinata said.
Hiashi nodded with approval, his back still to his daughters. “Dismissed.”