Disclaimer: "Naruto/Naruto Shippuden, including related characters © Misashi Kishimoto. The following story is a fan fiction which belongs to the author (yours truly)."

Author's Note: "Miai is the Japanese equivalent of arranged marriage. Also, if the reader is not reading/following the manga, then the story might contain spoilers. I repeat: might. You are forewarned."

~ O ~

Storm among the Cloud

~ O ~

~ Prologue ~

With a frown on his face, Yondaime Raikage, A, stared back at the Lightning Daimyo right from across where he was seated.

"Miai? What for?" he asked.

It was any ordinary day at Kumogakure, or so A thought, until he received summons from the Daimyo. All that the messenger told him was that it had something to do with the relations between the Lands of Lightning and Frost, and that it somehow involves the ninja villages. Since the alliance made between the shinobi has turned into a truce and is being maintained and honored for the sake of finally realizing true peace in the shinobi world, A didn't hesitate to come; although, despite the fact that he somehow knew the talk would eventually involve politics, he definitely wasn't expecting something like this.

"To simply put? The Land of Frost is announcing to the whole world their allegiance with the Five Great Nations," answered the Daimyo, a side of his chin rested at the knuckles of his fist. "They want to do this by making ties with the closest country to them, which is the Land of Lightning."

"And they intend to do this through the Hidden Villages by means of marriage," A put in.

"Marriage is a binding ceremony after all," the Daimyo lowered his head a little, this time intently looking at the Raikage. "And besides, it is only natural for a husband to come to the aid of his wife's homeland in a time of crisis, yes?"

Through his nose A breathed in and let it out into a sigh, closing his eyes in the process.

"And what exactly would they gain out of this?" the Raikage decided to ask.

The Daimyo had somehow anticipated this question and was ready with an answer. "Protection from the other ninja villages," was his simple answer.

A's brows met in the middle making him frown even more. "What do you mean?"

"There is no certainty of what exactly the smaller ninja villages think about this truce between the shinobi of the Five Great Nations." The Daimyo had leaned back on his seat; everything about him became more serious and formal. "It could be that they're neutral with everything, but considering that the samurai of the Land of Iron had allied themselves with shinobi during the Fourth Great Ninja War, it could be that the villages are…restless."

Shutting his eyes close, A put his one good hand to his temple, feeling the beginnings of a headache that he felt might come anytime soon.

"The Frost Daimyo wants to ensure the safety of his own country," the Daimyo went on, "since we cannot tell where the smaller ninja villages stands about this truce that we have. Besides, stronger ties with the Land of Frost may be beneficial for the country, Raikage."

"Alright, alright," A sighed, looking up once more to the Daimyo. "Then tell me why involve Bee into this?"

There was a moment of silence from the Daimyo; he stared intently at the hulk of a man who calls himself the Raikage. Dark-skinned and muscular in build like his father, he was a shinobi considered strong, fast, commanding, hot-headed… and is also a very caring, loving older brother.

"It doesn't have to be your younger brother if you don't want to," the Daimyo said, leaning back on his seat more comfortably. "Since the Frost Daimyo only specifically asked to choose just between the two of you, it is assumed that either one between you or your brother would do just fine. I'll be giving you some time to consider things about it anyway."

"No."

The Daimyo stared and looked a little shock for a moment. "You refuse to take part in the miai?"

"No, not that." The Daimyo breathed easily, but kept quiet to allow the Raikage to offer some explanation. "There's no need to try and convince me more about it, I get it already. All I'm saying is that I don't need time to consider."

Dark eyes narrowed down, the Daimyo waited for the Raikage to continue, although he may already have a good idea what it is.

A's face had turned serious, nowhere near threatening, but serious all the same. "Besides, Bee has already done quite enough for politics when he became the jinchuriki of the Eight-tails." It was the Daimyo's turn to sigh.

"If that's what you decided. But you could have convinced your little brother about this, you know." There was no reply from the Raikage. "Well," the Daimyo continued, "I suppose you are a better choice compared to your brother, you're the Raikage after all." The Daimyo then gestured a hand towards a woman, who had been standing in waiting at a corner nearby. A saw the Daimyo lifted a hand and looked over to the woman who had approached him and gave him a green folder.

"That contains information about your bride," said the Daimyo referring the folder with a wave of a hand. "Be ready in two days." A looked up to the Daimyo, one brow cocked up in question. "You will be meeting her in the Land of Frost. Just be glad that you'll be able to talk to her before the actual wedding day."

A once again heaved a sigh and only nodded.