Disclaimer I don't own Naruto or any characters from whatever series I use.

The Dragon Container

Chapter 14: An Engagement Party

Author's Note:

To the guest reviewer who told me to stop using honorifics go away you don't know what you are talking about. While the words you gave can be used in place for honorifics, they aren't a perfect fit as honorifics can hint at characters statues and relationship with other characters, as well as clearly show respect and adoration in the terms they use. But also, I am using them in a story that is based on Japanese culture just because the story is in English does not mean I cannot use honorifics nor does it make it bad writing. If anything, incorporating unique phases and wording into a story that is clearly set and based on another culture is better for setting up the characters and world and is more unnatural not to have them as the lack of these can cause important details to be lost in their English versions when left out.

My use of honorifics works with what I want show and there is no reason to change it plus, it is not like I didn't give warning nor give a list of what I was going to use and what they mean at the start of the fic.

The use of honorifics also adds an extra depth to the context that they are used. I have no intention of not using them as they greatly expand how I can express my characters. Take a few chapters back when I had Hinata call Menma only by Namikaze-San this expressed her discontent for the boy, while also telling him that she is keeping him at distance, plus to others it gives the appearance that she is being respectful. With this one word I can express so many different things while keeping it natural as where in English I can't do this. If you don't like my use tough, cause me using them when every character in the story has Japanese name is more natural then not having them. If my characters where using full English names, then yes, I would not be able to use them, but that is not the case as this story is not set in an English culture even if it is written in English.

Hinata woke up and by the looks of it from a restless sleep. She had slight bags under her eyes and strands of hair stuck up thanks to bed hair. If her Otou-sama saw her now he would have fit at how unladylike she was.

As she got up her thoughts was this: Another day with that brat Menma.

It had been three days since Naruto left on his mission and during all this time Menma had been extra annoying. He seemed to take Naruto's absence as him being free to do whatever he wanted with her and with a perverted Sensei putting ideas in his head he was only getting worse by the day.

Turning to a picture of her and Naruto taken secretly on one of their first dates she blew a kiss. "Don't worry Naruto-Kun I'll endure it all for you."

Yes, compared to the suffering her love's been through this was nothing and since the fateful day they shared their feelings her Naruto-Kun had been working hard to save her from a loveless marriage. She was determined to work just as hard to ensure they can be together without worries.

Taking a slight cold shower in her private bath to wake her up, she gets dressed in her mission outfit struggling slightly to get her sarashi wrapped properly around her breasts. Once dressed Hinata leaves through the door and is soon called by a servant girl from the branch family.

"Hinata-Sama, Hiashi-Sama wishes to meet with you as soon as possible." The servant girl bowed and Hinata gave a nod of confirmation with a sad smile.

With her and the girl going their separate ways, Hinata wonder what Hiashi-Sama wanted knowing that whatever it was wouldn't be good for her.

It was a short walk across the compound to get to his office, the head family living quarters, and the heads office being in the same building.

Walking up to the door Hinata took a deep breath as she steels herself. With one hand stretched out she knocked. "You wanted to see me Hiashi-Sama?"

Seconds later his reply came with a stern tone. "Come in." At the words Hinata opened the door, her pale lavenders crossing with Hiashi's more white ones.

Taking place in front of his desk Hinata's face is cold not showing an ounce of the nervousness she was feeling like a true Hyuga.

"Hinata, you have recently become a genin and in both the clan's and the village's eyes are now an adult."

Hinata wanted so very much to roll her eyes at his words, but kept them locked with Hiashi's own. Despite his words Hinata knew he would never treat her like an adult.

"As such we will be having an engagement party to celebrate both your and Menma's coming of age and for your future marriage in the coming years," he told her, his voice not showing a shred of sympathy for his eldest at being married off.

"Otou-Sama, I refuse to celebrate a marriage that I don't truly want!" she strongly opposed, earning the clan head's glare. Yet despite his glare only a cold and calculating anger could be felt from him.

"What you want doesn't matter. You will behave in a manner befitting of a Hyuga!" He raised his voice at the end letting it carry the not so subtle tone of a threat.

"But I don't want to marry Menma! I don't love him!" Her voice raised in outrage, yelling at the clan head. It was a sign of disrespect, yet she didn't care. He needed to listen to reason even if he was a cold man, they were still blood.

Hiashi rose from his seat and before Hinata could blink she felt the stinging from her cheek, surely starting to glow red after her own father struck her.

"You will do what you are told. You are a Hyuga it is your duty to marry for the good of the clan. I don't care if you love him or not, you are not marrying him for yourself, but for the clan and as my musume I expect you to obey me!" he shouted and Hinata looked at him with cold eyes, not surprised by his reactions. The man having ceased being her Otou-sama ages ago. He was now nothing but the clan head and an enemy of hers.

"You will attend the ceremony in a form befitting one of your stature and you will show both the guests and your future fiancé that you are happy with the engagement." He sent her one last look of warning before dismissing her.

Hinata left the room, her eyes cold and struggling to keep unshed tears at bay. As she walked to the compound entrance, she met her Imouto.

Hanabi was 7, her face far too unemotional for a child her age.

Hinata put on a smile greeting her beloved Imouto. "Morning, Hanabi-Chan."

Her greeting wasn't met with kindness as Hanabi's expression didn't change as she uttered words that made Hinata's stomach drop. "You should be happy you're marrying the Hokage's son, who is also top of his class and clearly a genius. I don't get why you are against marrying someone who is more than qualified to be with you?"

Hinata took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. Yes, Hanabi while still her beloved Imouto wasn't the same Hanabi that she grew up with. There was a time when she would smile and live up to her name, a little firework that was always full of energy despite the dreary environment. She used to follow Hinata around begging her to play with her. She used to sneak into her room at night to sleep with her. The two were inseparable and her Imouto was an angel. But not anymore. All that changed when their Otou-sama sunk his fangs into her, gone was the smiling face that brightened up her day and was instead replaced with the cold visard of a true Hyuga.

The second Hanabi was old enough to fight that man took her and trained her to the breaking point, breaking down her sweet little Imouto until she became the perfect heiress he wanted. It didn't matter that he wiped away all traces of her personality. To him his children were just tools to be used for the sake of the clan.

Now here they were, years later and they hardly talked. Gone were the times were they truly acted like sisters should.

"Well, Hanabi if you're so interested in him be my guest and marry him in my place." She smiled, she didn't mean it, but wanted to see how her Imouto would react if she was the one trying to get married off.

"I wish I could, Menma-Sama is a great ninja and heir to one of the most powerful clans as well as most likely to one day succeed his father." She waved her short hair, looking at Hinata with an arrogant smirk. "But someone has to lead the clan since the first born was such a failure and wasn't fit for the job."

Hinata frowned at her response. Clearly the old Hanabi was gone. She used to respect and dream of being like her once and now she was nothing but another mouthpiece for Hiashi's words.

Closing her eyes Hinata walked passed Hanabi ignoring her as best she could her irritation, there for all to see. However, it was not aimed at Hanabi, but at the monster who turned her sweet angel into a devil.

Hanabi scowled. The nerve of the failure to ignore her, a genius and next head of the clan. She gave a vicious smirk, putting a hand on her mouth as she said words that she knew would push her dear Onee-san's buttons.

"Oh, that's right. It's only fitting for a failure to be with another failure." Hinata stopped dead in her tracks. Hanabi's pale silver eyes sparkled in victory. "After all, only a loser like Naruto would willingly take someone like you. He is the embarrassment to the Hokage family and would have been better off not being born." She gave a haughty laugh before it was replaced with a gasp as faster than Hanabi could see or react Hinata jabbed her in the throat.

Pupiless silver eyes crossed pupiless lavender ones and Hanabi's body involuntarily shivered. Gone was the warm and always welcoming light of her Onee-san's eyes, instead an icy glare she had never seen before on Hinata was inducing a fear akin to her Otou-sama's one.

"You never ever insult my Naruto-Kun again!" Hinata voice rung out with a cold tone of authority and anger. Hanabi gave the Hyuga before her a nod and Hinata left, her Imouto glaring at her as she did. Hanabi couldn't understand why her Onee liked that damn loser especially when she was clearly being pulled down by him. Worse than that she actually felt scared of the failure who was cast aside by their Otou-sama.

Hinata was weak and Naruto was the one to cause it and Hanabi was determined to make her regret her decision in choosing Naruto not only over Menma, but also her own clan.

Arriving at the training field, Hinata spotted Jiraiya speaking to Menma, no doubt giving him some dubious advice. Akami was standing a little away, stretching.

Seeing the Hyuga Jiraiya declared, "Alright now that we are all here, we'll start with a spar between Menma and Hinata."

This caused said teens a shock as they have yet to fight each other. Menma turned to Jiraiya with doubt in his eyes, but the man only gave the boy a huge smile.

"Alright, Menma, this is your chance. Girls love having a big strong man to protect them. So, go out there and show Hinata you are the alpha male and make her yours. Maybe even try to get a little grab in, hee-hee…." He gave a wink and a perverted laugh at the end watching as the boy went red.

'I couldn't possibly do that!' the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki screamed in his head, his old shyness coming back at the thought of…of groping Hinata. However, his eyes lingered on Hinata's chest, or at least what little he could see wrapped in their bandages.

Jiraiya slapped him on the back with some words of encouragement. "Go and get them, tiger."

The boy gulped as he came face to face with his fiancée, his cheeks a tint of pink.

'Alright, remember to show her how strong I am, make her submit to me as her fiancé, as an alpha male' he thought with resolve, thinking Hinata was his and his alone. In his mind she should be all over him and treating him like he deserved to be, not messing about with other boys. Menma was going to show her here and now why he was the only choice for her.

At their sensei's signal Menma leapt off charging straight for his beloved. 'Make her yours.' Jiraiya words echoed and an image of Hinata under him, red faced and her kimono slightly open as she whispered softly Menma-Kun.

His blush returned with force as his let his right fist go, Hinata easily parrying the attack. Menma tried to recover with a left roundhouse kick, but Hinata easily saw the telegraphic attack. Menma panicked and tried a series of kicks, but not a single one hit.

Getting angry as she deflected another blow Hinata thought Menma was holding back on her, having seen him fighting Akami before. Sure, the boy was nowhere near as fast as his Onee-san or Onii, but his fighting skills were still on par with Sasuke.

That wasn't the case however as Menma was just distracted by Jiraiya's earlier words filling his head with images. Unfortunately for Menma having a super pervert as a sensei was backfiring on him majorly. The red headed boy finally landed a decent hit, yet his good fortune was short lived as his hormones took the chance to attack. The Hinata he sent back changed slightly in his eyes. To him it was as if she was moaning out as she repeated one of the many lines in Jiraiya perverted books: Oh, you know I like it rough. This distraction prevented him from following up.

Hinata had blocked his last strike, but couldn't stop the force from rocking through her body and sending her back a few steps. She panicked, yet was glad that he was finally taking her seriously. At least she thought so as she got ready expecting him to follow through with another attack and press his advantage yet when she looked up, she saw Menma just standing there doing nothing. She felt crossed at him, Sure he was an ass, but she got treated as a so-called failure by everyone but her sweet Naruto-Kun and she hated it. She worked hard and improved yet none of the people that should treat her with respect did so.

Byakugan active, Hinata focused chakra to the bottom of her feet, vanishing from where she stood and appearing right in front of Menma. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was blushing at the sudden appearance of his love right in front of him, even if she was pissed it only made her look so god damn hot.

His admiration of Hinata's face was short lived as she powered a palm strike right into his chest, chakra blasting through it and a whisper of blue coming out the other side. Now, as much as Hinata wanted to she couldn't just off him with her family's gentle fist, but that didn't mean she couldn't hurt him. She sent a large amount of chakra that passed through him without doing too much damage but still hurt him a great deal. Plus knowing the resilience of an Uzumaki Hinata put in a bit extra knowing she could get away with it.

Giving the Uzumaki heir a look of disgust as he gasped in pain, unlike his Onii-san Menma was spoiled and wasn't used to getting hurt even in sparring. She turned going to leave, knowing by his troubled breathing that the match wouldn't continue.

As Hinata left Menma looked up, seeing the girl of his dream walk away, once again denying his right to her. His face twisting in anger; he was her fiancé and she was going to treat him as such even if he had to force her to.

With a slither of Kyuubi chakra brought out by his rage pumping through his system the pain quickly vanished, his violet eyes slitted, and with a burst of speed he disappeared.

Hinata ducked barely in time to avoid a kick right where her head used to be, the force of the kick was enough to mess up her hair even with the clean dodge. Seeing he still wanted to fight Hinata was happy to oblige, sending out another palm strike while his body was still in the air. Menma twisted his body, throwing a punch at the same time she sent her palm strike. The boy's slightly longer arms combined with the momentum he generated while twisting to ensure his fist hit first, landing right in Hinata's face.

Hinata flew back several feet before she finally righted herself up. Glaring at Menma once more with the Byakugan active she had a bloody nose to show for her bout of overconfidence. Yet what met her dojutsu was not the love-struck boy, no the preteen before her was giving an intensity she only saw in her boyfriend. Only unlike Naruto-Kun's this was dark almost sinister that it made her stomach churn. Her Byakugan stared into his violet slits that expressed a dark rage at her.

Menma vanished again or at least to the untrained eye and Hinata's Byakugan was far from untrained. She saw every movement from when he channelled chakra to his feet from when he pushed off the ground. His charge and punch were easy to make out and parry for Hinata as in terms of speed Menma was nowhere near Akami's level and she could easily deal with such straightforward attacks.

Her left palm landed on his right wrist and she tried pushing it away and at first it seemed to work, but Menma's arm pushed back overpowering Hinata. He twisted his fist to the side so that the palm facing side would be pointing at her and with a swing of his arm from his biceps to his shoulder he pushed Hinata's parry nailing her right in the face.

'Shit!' Hinata cursed due to the pain and being overpowered. Unlike a regular person though her Byakugan kept her sight on the enemy even though one eye was closed and the other not even facing him. From her black and white vision, she could see the fist she just took open watching unable to do anything as said hand grabbed her hair yanking her up. Menma threw another punch with his left-hand dead centre in the face, followed by one in the stomach. After that Menma dropped her and as she fell. He kicked her in her left ribs bruising them, but not enough to keep her down.

Akami watched with slight worry at how harsh her Otouto seemed to be and was about to interfere when Hinata pushed of the ground throwing out several attacks. The girl was a bit blooded, but more or less alright by how fierce her attacks were.

But that mattered little to Menma. He dodged most of them or countered forcing Hinata's attack to miss or withdraw. Finally, Menma grabbed one of palm strikes, stepping and in pulling the arm behind her back while twisting her away from Jiraiya and his Onee-san's eyes. His other arm came up across her chest his hand unknowingly brushing against her breast, his face was close to hers, his slightly taller height showing along with the difference between his bulkier and her petite frame. He brought his mouth to her ear making her shiver in disgust as he whispered,

"You are mine."

At this point the hand that brushed against her clamped down painfully on her breast hurting her, Menma seemingly having very little idea he was gripping such a tender area.

Teary eyed Hinata wasn't going to stand for this. Only one person could touch her there and no one else. Byakugan blazing she channelled chakra through her arm, elbowing the pervert in the ribs with an improvised gentle fist and unlike before she wasn't holding back.

He groaned in pain, his grip loosening. Hinata's Byakugan told her that she broke some ribs and she was quite pleased with the fact. Rearing her head forward she slammed it into him giving him a bloody nose and forcing him to finally release her. She was far from done however, bringing both hands to her sides palms open and humming with chakra she pivoted on her feet turning to slam them both into him with a single thought.

'Only Naruto-Kun can touch me there!' Her Jūho Sōshō (Gentle Step Twin Palms) struck, breaking his ribs even more and launching him back with a pulse of chakra. Unfortunately, a light snap reached her ears and moments after she felt a heavy weight from her chest.

She didn't even need to look down the Byakugan allowing her to exam herself seeing that her sarashi came loose, her breast bouncing quite a bit making her kimono show off her impressive cleavage.

When Menma managed to stop himself from skidding back his violet eyes held anger, but that all disappeared the minute he saw Hinata's state. His eyes took on a vague look as they zoned in on her well-endowed jiggling chest as blood started pouring from his nose.

Jiraiya's keen eyes also spotted said jiggling orbs and he pulled out his notebook out to write down every detail he could for his next book. 'Oh, kami, Menma you sure hooked a good one. The girl's got boobs almost Tsunade-Hime level already.' He gave a perverse laugh, his black eyes locking on the girl's chest.

Menma couldn't take it and became a teenage boy with hormones running wild from such a sight and rushing Hinata like a horny dog.

Hinata didn't fail to spot him or his perverted look and it pissed her off. A reverberating aura of chakra formed around her.

'Only Naruto-Kun can look or touch me like that no one else and especially not you!' Water formed around her right foot seeming to flow with a powerful current as it enclosed itself around it. Sliding said foot to the side, pivoting on the other with a slight twist in her hips. When the horny dog was a meter away, she brought the leg up slicing through him and the air was a radiant blade of water forming as she did that teared both through him and the ground as it pushed him away.

'Suiryu no Kagizume (Claws of the Water Dragon)'

Jiraiya and Akami were surprised by the sudden reveal of an elemental jutsu from a Hyuga of all things. Both looked on as the attack left a gash in the ground as it pushed Menma along before finally dissipating. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was soaked, his clothes torn from the top of his pelvis and straight up his chest blood oozing out showing that he got quite a deep cut, but nothing his healing factor couldn't deal with. Akami worried for her Otouto even though he went overboard during the fight it was the first time she saw her Otouto covered in blood and to be honest it scared her.

Hinata saw Menma and lamented the fact that her attack just missed neutering the horny boy. She walked off to where her bag is to replace her sarashi passing Akami on the way who was about to open her mouth to make her at least say sorry for making Menma bleed. Yet as soon as she was about to say the words her eyes went wide as she looks at Hinata's chest and even as a girl she thought them impressive.

'When the hell did Hinata get so big!' She put her hands to her breasts feeling them up a bit and letting them jiggle about a bit comparing them to Hinata's which she couldn't believe were genuine considering her age. Spotting Hinata getting some bandages out of her bag she watched her walk over into the forest and realisation hit her. Turning to see not one, but two perverts ogling her teammate Akami's hair stood on its end as a fiery like aura enveloped her.

"You god damn perverts!" Both the old and young pervert shivered as the second red hot habanero marched over to them just as fearsome as her Kaa-chan was.

Miles into the forest Hinata stopped activating her Byakugan not taking any chances with the village's two biggest perverts. Seeing no one around she started untying her kimono keeping her all seeing eyes on the surroundings. When she pulled to tighten them however, she noticed a tight feeling.

"Oh, come on, don't tell me they grew yet again." Taking a deep breath, she finished tying them.

'If this keeps up, I won't be able to bind them anymore.' It's not like she didn't like big breasts as matter of fact her Naruto-Kun seemed to really like them and used to get so flustered when they first started growing, but really, they were high maintenance.

'Well at least Naruto-Kun likes them.' She thought to herself the with a smile, wondering what he was up to now.

The thought of her beloved also made her remember the last moment during the spar with Menma and started belittling herself for using her dragon slayer jutsu. 'This is bad. If they investigate and find out it came from Naruto-Kun they could find a weakness and put him at a disadvantage.'

Her technique was just a knock off of Naruto's, but it was still quite powerful. The free use of an element is very rare even among shinobi and usually seen only in kekkei genkai. Naruto's dragon slayer magic as Iris called it was basically a unique bloodline not just anyone can learn it.

However, after years of training with both Naruto and Iris she was able to use her extraordinary chakra control courtesy of the Hyuga clan and their bloodline to develop her own version of dragon slayer magic one that used the gentle fist as medium for her own elemental affinity which was water. Yet despite having made her own original style she kept it a secret. Even her Okaa-san didn't know because if word got out everyone would question her on it and if Menma found out and had time to form a proper strategy her Naruto-Kun would be at a disadvantage during their fight.

They were ninja, deception was their ally and weapon, one that Naruto had been using for years to make his siblings underestimate him. Her Naruto-Kun was going to win and the two of them would live happily ever after or at least she hoped that would be the case.

Finished changing she turned back hoping Jiraiya and the others won't ask her questions about her jutsu.

Back with the rest of team 6 Menma and Jiraiya were nursing bumps courtesy of Kushina's daughter.

Said daughter turned to her Otouto who had tears in her eyes and gave him a look of disappointment. "Menma, you went too far during that fight. I mean really pulling her hair and hitting her in the face enough to draw blood is not how you treat a lady." She told him off, yes he was losing, but that side of him was one she never saw before. It was like he was a different person, going that far against his own fiancée.

Menma didn't face her though more or less ignoring his Onee-san.

"Menma!" She warned and the boy looked to her reverting to the shy child he once was that used to look up to both his Onee and Onii-san.

"I just wanted to show her how strong I was and impress her," he said, his voice slightly upset and his eyes expressing it.

It's been a long time since she saw this part of him, the part of him that was still a child and was weaker than he let on. Her Otouto who always seemed so vulnerable and needed his Onee.

"I get that you wanted to impress her, but you went too far you're going to make her hate you like that." The boy had the decency to look down at least, but if only Akami knew that Hinata already hated Menma's guts.

With his eyes covered though his violet eyes showed rage remembering how Hinata just dismissed him, walking away from him of all people. "You don't understand I couldn't concentrate at first and then she beat me up, I had to show her I was worthy of her!" he shouted, hands gripping his pants as he did.

Akami gave him a slightly sad look before she put a hand on his shoulder. "I get that you just wanted to show off, but hurting her to do it is the wrong way to go." Akami may be a girl, but even she knew how notoriously awkward boys were when it came to girls and romance.

Menma gave his Onee a slight smile, glad to know he could count on her. At least that was until he felt pain in his shoulder as if she was trying to rip part of it off.

"But just cause she is your fiancée does not mean you can ogle her like you did." The boy started sweating as the pain in his shoulder increased and she gave him a scary smile.

Sadly for Menma, while his Onee-san was understanding for a lot of things anything perverted was on her shit list and she was going to make sure to beat out any of Jiraiya's less decent teachings.

While Akami rehabilitated Menma, their sensei was in his own thoughts.

'That jutsu she used was water style and quite powerful if incomplete. Menma could have been seriously hurt if it wasn't, but Hyuga never use anything other than their clan style,' He thought, it didn't match up for her to know an element wasn't that strange, but having combined with her clan style would make her stronger then she let on. Not only that, but Jiraiya had his information network and was 100% sure no other Hyuga combined elemental chakra with the gentle fist.

This meant that unless Hinata was a genius comparable with Minato or a sannin she had help from someone outside the clan. Now normally he wouldn't care much, but having an unknown player on the board was never good. The biggest problem was that his student was close to one troublesome piece and if she learned her techniques from an outside source what was there to stop Naruto from doing the same.

'Menma is the child of prophecy, he would never lose to Naruto, but we can't risk letting an unknown variable causing Menma to lose Hinata-Chan his light.' As the Hyuga girl returned Jiraiya eyed her up and not in perverted way. He was going find out just where Hinata's style came from and make sure there was nothing that would get in the way of his student.

Two Days Later

Hinata was in her room. Three branch girls were fussing over her as they fitted her into a yellow kimono with red flames on the elbows as well as the knees, they also lined the bottom of the kimono. The obi was a nice navy blue almost the same shade as her hair. As for her hair the bangs on the right were held back by a pink hair clip while the left side was left as they were.

Hinata looked herself in the mirror and she had to admit it did look pretty good on her, she especially liked that it was yellow as it reminded her of Naruto-Kun. Oh, how she wished he was here instead and better yet as her betrothed, but her family had other plans in store for her.

The servants backed off as her Okaa-san came into the room with Natsu pulling her wheelchair. She politely asked them to leave. "Leave us, please." She gave a soft smile, the branch house members returned it with a bow before leaving the room.

With the two left alone Hinata rushed into her Okaa-san arms shedding tears. "Okaa-san, I don't want to do this, I don't love him.

Hitomi stroked her daughter's hair. "I know, sweetheart. I want you to be happy with the man you chose I don't need the Byakugan to tell me you to love each other with all your heart." Her voice was gentle soothing Hinata who raised her head to look her Okaa-san in the eyes. As she looked back, she could see a fire in her daughter's lavender eyes.

"It won't work out like Otou-sama plans." Hitomi wondered where her confidence was coming and her daughter elaborated further.

"Naruto-Kun has a bet for the title of heir to the Uzumaki clan as well as my hand in marriage. During the upcoming Chunin exams if Naruto-Kun beats Menma he'll retake his place as heir and by the contract be my betrothed. In the event they don't fight at all then whoever gets further is the winner." Hinata smiled. She knew her beloved would win she saw him train day in and out, putting his heart and soul to get stronger for his beliefs.

To Hitomi it made sense the exams were proxy for war and it wouldn't be the first time they had an effect on a clan's political structure. "I wish you luck. You and Naruto-Kun deserve each other."

Hinata stood up smiling at her Okaa-san with confidence. "He will win. Naruto-Kun will never lose to Menma, I promise on our nindo."

Her Okaa-san was curious to where her confidence was coming from having trained with both Naruto and Hinata since they were young and she knew they were hiding something from her. She thought back to the day when the two began training on their own, the changes they went through and how hard Hinata tried to keep it a secret even from her. She was sure whatever surprise they had in store the Namikaze family wasn't going to like it and was in for a big eye opener.

With one last hug the two left to face the unwanted party and the guest that would be waiting for them.

As they left the room Natsu was there with one other that neither expected to see. As they entered the hallway the two saw Natsu and next to her was Hinata's cousin, Neji Hyuga, said to be the greatest genius ever born within the clan.

However, despite his overwhelming talents he was born in the wrong house of the family as the son of Hizashi Hyuga the twin brother of her own father who was born seconds after him. Neji was a member of the branch family that served the main household Hinata's household.

Bowing to them Neji told them why he was here. "Hinata-Sama, I am here to escort you to the party." Both mother and daughter knew what he meant, Hiashi Hinata's father ordered him to make sure she went.

Hitomi sent her child a worried look as Natsu came round to take her chair and left the two cousins alone.

Both Hyuga looked one another in the eyes, silence filling the air until finally Neji broke it.

"Hinata-Sama, I advise against trying to escape tonight. Hiashi-Sama has ordered me to make sure you attended the party until its conclusion." His face was blank giving no sign of any emotion, Hinata matching it perfectly and it was clear to see that these two were related.

Taking a deep breath Hinata went to speak, but was cut off as soon as she got his name out.

"Neji-Nii-san-"

"Hinata-Sama you should not refer to me so highly you are of the main household and should not treat someone like me from an inferior branch as a brother."

Hinata glared at him slightly she hated being treated as if she was a superior being when she wasn't one. This was especially so when coming from Neji who when it came to the Hyuga secret arts was well above her in terms of talent and ability.

"That doesn't matter to me you will always be my Nii-san. What branch you belong to doesn't matter." She smiled seeing a light tug on Neji's lips showing he wanted to do the same before it was replaced by a blank face as he forced his feelings down.

Looking his lady in the eyes Neji gave a slight bow before voicing his own opinion. "I am afraid I have to disagree with you, it is my fate to serve the main house and protect both you and Hanabi-Sama. There is no need for you to refer to me differently than any other servant."

Hinata's smile vanished as she gave him a cute glare and pout. She didn't need protecting she was more than capable of doing that herself, plus it slightly peeved her off how he only acts protective when it didn't involve anything that goes against her Otou-sama's wishes.

"You and I both know that is bullshit."

"Hinata-Sama!" Neji reprimanded her. "Such unrefined behaviour is far beneath you."

Hinata didn't back down instead she got more vocal expressing herself and the injustices her clan had caused to their own blood. "No, you and I know that the clan laws are trash that shouldn't be upheld! If fate really had a hand in it then you more than anyone deserved to be in the main branch, you're a genius that has surpassed every past Hyuga genius."

She saw the signs of a blush develop. Neji had gotten plenty of praise before, but most of it were from fellow Hyuga and family who, let's be honest, weren't the kind to really show their emotions. The only others were his teachers and his fangirls. Yes, even Neji was cursed by fangirls like the Uchiha. Most Hyuga males were made to suffer because of their handsome looks.

Neji turned back to his lady and master giving her a slight nod. "Be that as may, we do not choose who we are born as-"

He didn't get to finish as his usually shy cousin cut him off. "No, but we can choose who we become. Fate is only set in stone if you let it be, it is up to us to change it." Both her and her beloved learned that the hard way. Sometimes fate needs to be changed by your own hands.

Neji gave a sad smile at his Imouto; so kind in ways unbefitting of a Hyuga and so unlucky to have been fated to be one. "While admirable, fate is not easily changed and besides, I am quite content to risk my life for you, Hinata-Sama, as I believe that the reason fate dealt me this hand is because it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. As you said, I am a genius, but while you and Hanabi-Sama are quite strong it is better for the strongest amongst us to be the protector rather than one of you to take my place."

Hinata hated it when he pulled this card, he was so caring that it made it hard since while most of his actions are forced upon by the clan's law Neji himself was quite a kind and honest person.

"Somethings simply can't be changed. Your marriage to Menma-Sama is one of them along with my own station in life." Neji bowed leaving an arm out telling Hinata it is time to go.

She walked passed with all the dignity one would expect of a Hyuga. "You are wrong. One's path is made by oneself. I won't marry Menma and one day you shall be free of the burden you carry."

Her eyes shined with determination. She would not let fate, as her Nii-san called it, beat her. No, she and Naruto-Kun have been fighting against fate for a long time and in the end, they will be the ones to be victories and maybe just maybe show Neji-Nii-san that it can be changed.

From his bowed state Neji gave a small smile as he watched his lady leave. "If only that were true, if only…" He whispered before following ten steps behind.

Entering the room all eyes were on Hinata, many of the guest calling her beautiful others stating they were jealous of her while some wished they were in Menma's place.

Hinata's lavender eyes gazed across the room as she listed several familiar faces. The daimyo and some of his relatives were here, lords and nobles of various other lands, the clan heads of all the major clans and a few of the lesser ones, a couple of merchants she recognised and others she didn't. Finally, person she came across who she believed to be the new village head of Takigakure appearing to be hiding away from the rest of the guests.

Hiashi stood up, clearing his throat, his spotless white and grey kimono extra fancy with embroidery flames stitched on it and made of some of the best material money could buy.

"I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate my musume and her betrothed Menma Namikaze's engagement. It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to my eldest musume, Hinata." Claps echoed all over the room. Hinata rolled her eyes. Of course Hiashi-Sama only referred to her as his daughter when he wanted to use her.

Hinata walked towards the party smiling and greeting the guests that she passed. While she did this Hiashi was giving a speech which she happily tuned out after all it was a fact that it wasn't going to be about anything warranting her concern.

Finally getting some space from the guest Hinata was already bored out of her mind. Very few people at these events were tolerable, most being like Hiashi and the others being people she could not be herself with otherwise it could cause political backlash and the clan head would punish her for anything that puts the clan in a bad light.

Glancing around she wondered if she could make an escape. Sure, Neji was watching her every move like a hawk from a vantage point, but if she timed it right, she might be able to get away before he could chase her down.

Formulating an escape plan her plot was ended before it even began as she felt someone tackle her into a hug from behind.

"Oh, Hinata found you, oh you are probably so happy to be with Menma." The voice was one she easily recognised as Ino Yamanaka the gossip queen of the village. Hinata suppressed a shiver at her friend's words. Not in million years would she ever be happy being with… that person.

As Ino climbed off Hinata when she turned to face her former classmate, she spotted both her cousin's teammate Tenten as well as the kunoichi of team 8, Yakumo Kurama. All three were in formal kimono dress though much more casual than Hinata's and Tenten was in a cheongsam Chinese dress.

Hinata smiled and greeted them though it quickly became a forced smile as they congratulated her on her engagement.

"Hinata, congratulations. He is at least somewhat half decent," Tenten said. If only she saw the real Menma she would take those words back quicker than you could throw a kunai and Tenten was a quick shot.

"Yeah, Hinata, you're so lucky to have the Hokage's son as your fiancé," Yakumo stated with stars in her eyes as she gazed at Menma from across the room. She was infatuated with Menma, something to do with the Yondaime having helped her clan years prior with a seal or something. Since then the young Kurama heir was struck with hero worship syndrome admiring both Menma and his father as well as having a little crush on the boy her age. Well not like she cared if Yakumo wanted Menma, she could have him, while cruel better someone that wants to be with him rather than her.

"Please be free to take him off my hands," she mumbled though none of girls could hear the already naturally quiet girl's voice.

"Well it is hard to believe Hinata is the first one to get a guy, but can't be helped I mean he was the hero who saved you, you guys were destined to be together," Ino said giving a wishful look as she imagined her own prince charming.

Hinata head tilted in confusion. Since when did Menma of all people save her? Looking at the girl she spoke up knocking Ino out of her day dreaming state. "Ino, what do you mean Menma was my hero?" She resisted to not spit the word 'hero' he was anything but that to her, he was more a villain and her tormentor. The only hero she ever had was the lone boy who always protected her and did what was right even though it hurt him in the end.

Ino giggled waving her hand at Hinata as she responded giving some news that would shock Hinata. "You know how Menma saved you from Kumo kidnapping as kids." She almost squealed. It was so romantic: the boy saving his childhood sweetheart from the bad guys and now they were a couple destined to get married and live happily ever after. A true story book romance that wasn't supposed to happen in real life.

Hinata's lavender eyes widened in surprise her mouth opening slightly in disbelief. They thought Menma of all people was the one who saved her when her beloved Naruto-Kun went through so much to save her that day.

"Yeah, I admit a good catch not every day that you get saved by your future husband, I wish I could neuter all those Kumo bastards for what they were going to do with you," Tenten spoke up, her hand feeling a sleeve most likely hiding a weapon that no one could figure out how she snuck in.

"Oh yeah, I bet Menma was like a dashing knight coming to save his princess, a true hero." Yakumo sent another loving gaze to her idol.

The Byakugan princess was getting mad at her friend's words. Sure, they didn't know, but Naruto was hurt so much and h-he… she couldn't finish the thought instead she gave them a semi glare speaking up with a tone that left little argument.

"For your information, Menma had nothing to do with that it was Naruto-Kun who saved me that night." Her anger leaked in, her friends surprised by her reaction and the anger coming off the usual quiet wallflower.

"Ha ha ha!" Ino laughed not believing it, surely Hinata was joking and was angry because they kept complimenting her boyfriend. "Come on, Hinata we all know Naruto couldn't do that."

Tenten and Yakumo nodded in agreement, the tension between them breaking thanks to Ino and the two also started to laugh.

"She's right, Hinata, Naruto isn't anything special and could never fight off a Kumo ninja as a three-year-old." Technically no 3-year-old could, but it was no secret that Menma held the Kyuubi and was a genius himself compared to everyone else. Pointing across the room their eyes landed on none other than Menma.

"Come on, Hinata, everyone knows Menma was the one who saved you." She smiled still thinking it was a joke.

That smile quickly vanished as Hinata showed them why she is the Byakugan princess with a glare that sent a shiver up the girls' spines. The anger and coldness behind her eyes were real without a doubt and it frightened them.

Hinata began to march off the girls breathing a sigh of relief as they watched her, especially Ino, her gossip queen senses tingling. Something big was going to happen and she would be the first to get the scoop.

As Hinata walked passed the guests she heard many talking about that fateful day and they all had one thing in common: Menma was always the hero in the story while the true hero was left unsung.

As she got close, she saw the boy talking to some guest and the words that meet her ears shocked and infuriated her even more.

"So, you saved the Hyuga heiress from a Kumo Jonin that's so brave and heroic," a random girl said to Menma, most likely a noble girl by her attire with another girl next to her.

"Well yeah, I just couldn't let my Hinata be taken from me could I?" Menma winked, giving them a confident smile as he played the role of a fake hero taking all the credit that rightfully belonged to his Onii-san.

"What are you doing?" Hinata just barely kept herself from growling.

"Oh, look, it's Hyuga's princess, we'll just leave you two love birds alone," The girls said winking at Hinata before they left.

Menma gave them a smile and wave as they went back to giggling among themselves. Jiraiya made sure Menma knew his version of how to treat a woman. When he turned back to his fiancée, he couldn't help but admire her yellow kimono, it truly made his Hime look like a princess. If it wasn't for the Byakugan glare she was giving he would happily admire her all night long.

"I asked what you are doing?" she said again her voice calmer than the first time, but still holding her outrage in its undertone.

The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki smiled full of himself. "Don't worry, Hinata-Chan, I was just entertaining the guests no need to be jealous." He moved closer to the girl, his face leaning in as if he was going to kiss her and Hinata broke out into a cold sweat. "I only have eyes for you." As he started to lean in more, he was met by Hinata's palm as she shoved him away.

"By taking credit for Naruto-Kun saving my life. You did no such thing, why are you acting as if you were the one who saved me when you weren't even there?" she told him, her face making her outrage clear despite her voice being quiet enough to keep the discussion for their ears only.

Menma waved her off, which only added to her growing irritation. "Not like it would change much. Naruto is a loser who can't do anything. No one would believe the story that he was the one who did it. How do you think it spread around? I did nothing, everyone just assumed I was the one who rescued my girl because I actually have the talent to do so-" He didn't get to say anymore as he felt a painful stinging sensation on his cheek along with an audible slap which pulled the eyes of several others. One of the many pairs of eyes were pupiless white that were keenly watching the event taking place.

Menma was frozen by her actions. Hinata had enough of playing nice and was going to tell the bastard just what she thought. "Naruto-Kun almost died saving me that night, I won't let you insult him nor take the credit that is rightfully his." She was shaking. He was crossing the line and it's about time she made it clear he was nothing compared to her real hero and saviour. "You only ever get given what was taken from others never working for anything always being spoiled because you can't do anything yourself!" Her voice was raised and fierce as she put the last nail that did the brat in.

"My Naruto-Kun is twice the man you are and one you could never hope to compare to!"

No sooner did she finish strong hands gripped both her wrists. Lavender eyes crossed with Menma's violet ones. That was only a moment however as Menma growled at her, his purple eyes going crimson, his whisker marks that she loved on Naruto became more pronounced. He looked no different from a wild animal and it scared her.

She winced in pain as his grip grew stronger. "I wish Naruto had died, then there would be nobody in the way of making you mine," he stated, pulling Hinata close while leaning fully intending to steal a kiss from his Hinata.

The Hyuga princess futilely struggled, his grip too strong and growing even stronger by the second as she felt the blood circulation in her wrists cease.

Hinata began focusing chakra to her feet getting ready to use a dragon slayer technique on Menma, but luckily or unluckily Menma was spared as Ino and Tenten came to the rescue.

The girls put a hand each on Hinata's shoulders pulling her away. "Now, now, you two keep it clean, some of us are sadly still single." Ino smiled at Menma who grunted as he reluctantly let go and left.

The mind and weapon mistress both went to say something to Hinata, but she shrugged them off leaving herself.

Tenten turned to Ino, her brown eyes crossing with Ino's cyan ones. "I think Hinata was telling the truth." She said slightly guiltily for making fun of Naruto before.

Ino rolled her eyes. "You think we might not have been able to hear them, but unless I'm going blind Hinata just slapped Menma and he was far from happy." She put a hand on her chin as she thought. "But it doesn't make sense there's more to this than meets the eye." The Yamanaka stated as Tenten crossed her arms.

Suddenly both their eyes open wide as an epiphany hit them like lighting. "The sign!" both girls shouted at the same time. It was huge news during graduation, but they all wrote it off as Naruto's going away prank, but what if it wasn't?

Both girls looked at Hinata's shrinking back determination flaring in their eyes to discover just what was going on and if Hinata's reaction was anything to go by they were prepared to give the friend all the help they could.

Yakumo however was having different thoughts facing the other way as she stared at Menma's strong back. 'If only I was his fiancée, I would never treat him like that.'

'If only Hinata wasn't around then Menma could be all mine.' A dark version of her own voice said and she found herself silently agreeing with it.

The party was over and luckily, she was able to avoid Menma the rest of the time by talking with the officials and other important people that were there. Though it took a lot of willpower to not scoff whenever her so called fiancé was brought up. She rubbed her wrists, a dark bruise having formed from when Menma gripped them before.

"He doesn't know how to treat a lady," she said as she went to get some ointment out her draw and rub it on her wounds.

Knock, Knock, she heard from her door. "Yes!" she spoke wonder who it could be at this hour.

A male voice came from the other side as Ko, her retainer and bodyguard, responded.

"Hinata-Sama, Hiashi has requested your presence in the dojo."

'Oh boy…' Hinata thought having a pretty good idea why.

"Ok, I'll be there in minute." She quickly got changed into her fishnet top and sparring pants just in case.

When Hinata arrived Hiashi was standing in the dojo. He turned to her activating his Byakugan. "What the hell here you doing slapping Menma in public? Do you have any idea how much shame you brought the clan?"

Hinata held her ground, her posture showing she was guarded. "He deserved it, he was taking credit for Naruto-Kun rescuing me all those years ago." Her voice held out strong not backing down. She learned long ago that being weak only made her situation worse.

"It doesn't matter!" Hiashi shouted not caring that another boy was taking credit for saving his eldest musume.

"It does. How can the clan back up a person who willingly accepts false praise, while my real saviour who almost died for me goes ignored!" Her voice raised, hands shaking. "I won't marry Menma, you can't make me!" It didn't take two seconds after her words left her mouth that Hinata found herself on the floor gasping, struggling to keep the contents of her stomach just that.

"You will do what I say or I will make you!" He barked, having enough of his musume's rebellion. It was high time she learned that his word was law.

Hinata activated her own Byakugan, water shimmering around her hand as she got up rushing at Hiashi.

The water around her hand compressed holding an oval shape as she held in her palm. Hiashi showed no worry at his musume attack as faster than she could keep up he moved. What her eyes couldn't keep up with her body did as she felt numerous jabs hit her while forcing her back as several more strikes happened.

The final one had Hinata skidding back, landing on her backside as the water in her hand hit the floor and exploded leaving a dent behind.

One look at Hiashi was all she needed to know he hit her with the Hakke Sanjūni Shō (Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms).

Her chakra while still flowing was much slower and her body felt like lead.

"Pathetic. Using something other than the gentle fist." He went to leave but not before he gave some parting words. "You will marry the heir to the Uzumaki clan. If you act up again, I will place the cursed seal on you myself."

Hinata was left bruised in both body and pride, but the fire in her eyes did not die and only intensified. "I will marry the heir to the Uzumaki clan, but it won't be Menma."

Author's Note:

Sorry it took so long really sorry, I just recently moved back into my room and got a new desk and monitors now I can write comfortable using my desk top. Which has proven much better as it takes me half the time to write. Though getting used to my keyboard again so many typos.

Also, my beta was busier then usual so it took a lot longer to get this chapter back from them. Good news though I made decent progress on the next chapter while I was waiting so hopefully that should be out quicker.

So hopefully you are happy Hinata got to kick some ass, have some more drama and Menma got beat up a bit while Ino and Tenten are on the job now.

Some parts of this chapter went well others just wrote themselves and gave me new ideas to play with. (insert evil laugh.)

To guest review Danny Williams I am sort doing Naruto semi-dark in the main story he won't be as forgiving, but won't go off the deep end. But in the other version of this story I was thinking of starting once I reach the crossroad is one where Naruto goes full on dark.

Please Review:)

Naruto and Hinata Forever:)