Un-Arranging an Arranged Marriage...

Okay, before I get started, I better clear up some things:

Would like to give a big middle finger to all the passive-aggressive (and just plain aggressive) idiots on the internet. Please, I'm a twenty year old who's priorities right now are focused on mid-year exams and the last few essays I need to submit so I can pass this semester. If you have a problem, write your own bloody story (or at least be constructive and not an idiot)! (Everyone else – I wrote this last chapter for you, you guys are awesome!)

Hinata was not stabbed. Initially, that was the idea, but when I re-read it, it sounded more like the kunai was pressed into her. And, I didn't want Naruto to go psychotic or Hinata to be left out of commission, so I left it like that. Also, personal experience (sport, not my secret past time of crime-fighting), being hit it the kidney hurts like a son of a bitch so I thought it would be a nice addition. (And imagine if it was by a ninja, it would be 100x worse!)

Naruto deciding to keep the clan. Also, wasn't the plan in the beginning, let's be honest. They were all going to go to jail or heaven, the world a happier place BUT… I wanted to keep Naruto in character. And all these guys really wanted was to be accepted back into their home – we don't judge here! And if Naruto was going to forgive Obito for killing Neji (still don't quite understand this by the way!), there was no way I could let him kill off these people without them actually doing anything to deserve that from him. And I tried really hard in this fic to keep both Naruto and Hinata in character as much as possible (considering I don't do that very often).

And yes I'm finishing this story off with a final chapter. (Even though I quite liked my unromantic average ending – had a realistic feel to it) but, enjoy!

Summary: Naruto Uzumaki finally became what he always wanted, The Hokage of Konoha. And Hinata Hyuuga, through blood, sweat and tears finally became head of the Hyuuga clan. But one problem arises, the only way she can stay head is if she goes through with an arranged marriage. Hinata, distressed, tells Naruto the news, and there's no way he's going to let one of his best friends go through with an arranged marriage they don't want! He just needs to find out how to stop it.

~ (((UN-ARRANGING AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.)) ~

The Hyuuga were about to perform their own coup.

Naruto should have expected it – hell, Sasuke had been muttering about it the whole walk back – but he couldn't simply let people in need suffer in that horrible little community they'd built from the ground up. He had no choice but to offer them refuge in his home! It was what anyone would do.

When he told the Hyuuga elders this, he was almost jyuukened through the floor.

Clearly, the Hyuuga didn't agree.

"-And as our leader, how could you allow yourself to be kidnapped and imprisoned by them? This is unheard of a Hyuuga Head!"

"Well, she is our first female head, what were we to expect?"

"We expected a semblance of dignity! That's what we expected!"

They were still going.

Hinata did not look away from the degradation she was getting from the elders. She couldn't tell from Hiashi, but her grandfather Kouhei did not look impressed. And his sister even less so. Then again, she hadn't seen a positive expression on Fumiko's face in years. Hinata took a breath. Sure, she was fidgeting slightly, but she wasn't going to back down or look away in front of her clan. She also couldn't look at Naruto because he was rolling his eyes like a fool – unbecoming of a Hokage but she really had to fight to keep that smile off of her face because of it.

"Hey," Hinata wasn't sure Naruto realised he was interrupting one of the clan elders, because he was looking at the Tai-Dai duo, clearly not listening to the Hyuuga (Sasuke had his hand to his forehead in shame). "What's your clan name anyway?"

Sasuke hit himself rapidly in the head.

The elders' mouths opened – gobsmacked.

For some reason, Hiashi looked like he wanted to laugh.

Hinata wanted to be literally anywhere else but there.

~ (((UN-ARRANGING AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.)) ~

"Well, it looks like we have the rest of those marriage applicants to look through, better get started now," Hiashi's voice broke out through the squabbling pack, after the Yamanashi clan (they finally had a name!) had finally left along with Konohamaru, with orders to seek out Shikamaru and arrange a temporary place to stay until they could get settled somewhere more permanent.

Naruto's eyes widened with something akin to fear, and Hinata wasn't too far behind. But Sasuke was watching the ex-Hyuuga head carefully. He seemed to have an ulterior motive. Actually, the way he was looking at Naruto made that motive clear to him, but the two next to him were too focused on the word 'marriage' to get it.

Sasuke sighed, he had to do everything these days – he wasn't a bloody matchmaker for Kami's sake!

As the elders mumbled together about the other options they had in mind, Sasuke swung out an elbow and pelted Naruto in the shoulder with probably more force than necessary.

"I volunteer!" His words flew out of his mouth before he knew what was happening, and Hinata stood next to him was blinking rapidly as she tried to process his words.

The Hyuuga elders' mouths dropped open.

The silence that followed was deafening and Naruto spluttered when he realised what he said. "I mean- If Hinata agrees to it-I'm not saying…" He stopped. Took a deep breath and turned away from the elders, facing the raven-haired Hyuuga who was standing next to her.

"I'm willing to volunteer. If you're willing to give me a try. Engagement. And then if you'll still have me-"

Hinata laughed. And Naruto probably would have been offended if the laugh didn't come out like pearls of joy rolling through the compound. Tears in her eyes, and her cheeks a magnificent light pink – she smiled at him.

He was in complete awe of her.

"Yes."

Hiashi grinned.

"He has nothing he can offer the Hyuuga." Fumiko was quick to sprout her opinion, waving off the idea with a twist of her hand. "Unacceptable."

"Nothing?" Naruto asked, chin high, "I am your Hokage."

"He has influence," Kouhei placed a hand on his sister's shoulder, stepping aside to review the young man before him. "Son of the yellow flash. Has connections all over the lands. Well-regarded by the Hokage. Could benefit the Hyuuga clan greatly."

"He's not a pawn." Hinata stepped forward, looking her grandfather in the eye, "Even if we were to marry, you can't use him because he's your grandson-in-law. You have no influence over him, and he wont do anything to offend the village." She stepped forward again, "Do not think, grandfather, that if you have the Hokage in this family that he will bow down to you. We are the Hyuuga, and I will be the head of this clan. And when I am, there will be some changes that have to be made."

Kouhei scoffed, "You are my granddaughter. You are nothing." He spat at the young Hyuuga. "You're right sister, he simply will not do. We'll find another. A female head is too irrational, we need a… flexible mind behind her. She is simply a figure-head, as we all know."

Fumiko nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Let's look through those offers."

Hinata stepped forward, her lavender eyes hard like steel, "Actually," Her soft voice was coated in a cord of authority, and Hiashi was happy the elders would be finally beginning to see what an asset she would be as a clan leader, "according to Hyuuga law if there are multiple suitors vying for a marriage, they have a right to decide on marriage through battle." She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Naruto, feeling a little unsure if he'd be willing to do this for her.

"I'll fight anybody!"

She smiled.

"She knows her laws well," Hiashi mumbled to the elders, hiding a smug smile under his expressionless eyes. "And there would be very few who could hold a flame to our current Hokage."

"We will discuss this further. For now, you're dismissed."

"Also," Hinata's gentle voice rang out like steel through the building as she turned her back, "When I finally get my place as head do not believe that I will remain a simple figure head."

Naruto would never know for certain, be he could have sworn Hiashi winked at him before he stepped out of the compound.

~ (((UN-ARRANGING AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.)) ~

"So," Naruto dragged the word out as the duo stepped away from the Hyuuga compound into the streets of Konoha.

"You don't have to marry me." Her voice was much quieter than before, the authority gone. Naruto looked at her, shocked, until she started to speak again; "It's clearly a Hyuuga problem, one that goes much deeper than even I can imagine. I need to be the one to fix this, but I do not wish to drag you into this Naruto-kun." She was looking at the ground. "I've caused too much trouble for you already."

Naruto looked at her for a moment, thinking. They were currently walking through the Hyuuga district in Konoha, and people were going about their day unaware of the circumstances that led them here today. It was warm, the village was happy – for the most part.

Naruto wanted to be that happy.

"Come on, let's sit."

He led the Hyuuga female to the grassy area just behind a picnic bench. She looked confused as he opted to lay on the grass rather than the furniture provided, but followed his example. Thus, the two were laying on the grassy floor, staring up at the vast blue sky that looked down on their home. Konoha.

"Sometimes," Naruto mumbled, looking up at the clouds, "I can really see what Shikamaru sees in this."

"It's peaceful." Hinata agreed, getting comfortable upon the grass, and enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face.

"I want to marry you." The words burst out from his throat as he stared at the clouds above, refusing to glance over even as Hinata startled toward him at his words. "So badly. For a while that's all I've been able to think about." He took a long, deep breath. "I've felt nothing but jealousy since this arranged marriage business started, and it took me some time, but I've realised its because I want you to myself."

Hinata tugged at his arm gently, so he could turn toward her. He hesitated for a few moments, eyes sticking to the clouds, before reluctantly turning to hers, shining with uncertainty.

Her eyes, however, were brimming with confidence, a determination he rarely saw outside of battle. "I'm in love with you Naruto." She said, words strong, vibrating through his being. "I've been in love with you for a long time. But I don't want to force you into anything because my family is struggling. I want you to want me because of the woman I am. And it might take some time for me to become a woman that deserves you." She sighed, finally turning away from his eyes. "I think I've taken a step in the right direction today. Standing up to my family. And I will become that person that you deserve, but I don't want you to force yourself to be with me until I can properly fight for you. Or deserve you."

Naruto laughed. A loud, vibrant sound that echoed throughout the park, not full of mirth but some sort of disbelief. The sound shocked the Hyuuga heir, and her breath caught. He probably thought she could never be deserving of him, no matter how hard she tried. She would never be like Sakura and Ino, brimming with sexual confidence and self-worth that came with loving families and affection. Maybe she could just never be what he was looking for.

"You don't get it."

Her face fell at his words, and she moved into a seating position, preparing herself for the worst.

"You can't become someone deserving of me. I'm not going to fall in love with you because you finally take your place as head of the Hyuuga clan, powerful and politically worthy. I'm not going to fall in love with someone because they think they can stand beside me in strength, or in power. That doesn't appeal to me at all."

Every word was like a punch to the gut. Hinata's eyes lowered, but they narrowed in understanding, and determination. "Is there nothing I can do then?" She asked quietly.

"Hinata." He reached down, and gripped her hand tightly, feeling her slim, strong fingers in his grip. "I don't want someone with power, I want someone who cares enough to try. I don't care how long it'd take you to become a proper head of the Hyuuga, where you can lead yourself and not be a figure head to the elders, I care about the determination that you have to get you there. I care about the person who will try and save the Hyuuga, because they're family, even though they're also all kinds of corrupted right now. I love the woman that fights for what she believes in, no matter how many odds are stacked against her. I love you. I want to be with the woman you are now, and stand by your side as you fight for what you believe in. I want to fight alongside you. I want to watch you win, and be able to be proud of you when you do. I love you."

There were several moments of silence. And Naruto waited quietly for Hinata to make her move. He had been feeling pretty confident about her feelings for him, and the way she would react, but putting your feelings on the line was never an easy feat. And he was shocked at the current of uncertainty that gave him.

He had nothing to worry about.

Hinata moved quickly. She rolled swiftly on the grass, until her legs were straddling his and her head centimetres from his own. A gentle laugh escaped her lips, and his eyes darkened in awe and a darker lust as she sat atop of him.

"Not very becoming of the Hyuuga head, is this Hina-hime?" He teased, eyes bright and grin wide.

"I don't care." She pressed her lips to his.

~ (((UN-ARRANGING AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.)) ~

FIN.

~ (((UN-ARRANGING AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.)) ~

There. I know I promised something long, but here's something short and sweet for all you romance fiends. Happy? I really enjoyed writing this story, it was good fun to get back in the swing of things!

Also, a part of me wanted to do something really evil and finish this story with the Hyuuga arranging another arranged marriage for Hinata and thus create a cycle – because that would be hilarious – but I feel like you guys would come after me with pitchforks and stakes so I held myself back and wrote something lovely. You're welcome.

And I absolutely loved playing with Naruto's kind of stupid personality – it was fun. He never really thinks anything through, does he? Hope you guys enjoyed this little piece of writing, review and let me know what you think!

The Devil.

P.S. I have a poll up on my profile, have a look and help me out! Cheers!