I am Hyuga Hinata and I am the next head of the Hyuga clan. I can’t be the head alone, so I have to be married, and before I turn 19!

I had hoped that by being the head of the clan I could bring the Main and Side Branch together on peaceful terms, but that is probably just wishful thinking. I have thought that Neji-niisan would make a better head then me, and I still think he would, but he is from the Side Branch so he can’t be.

I’m in the court yard training with my Byakugan, thinking about everything I have to do and what will be expected of me in a little over a year, until my thoughts are interrupted by a tap on my shoulder.

“Hinata-sama, Hiashi-sama wants us to come to his study.” Neji stated.

So there we were sitting in father’s study, waiting to hear what he wanted, but what we heard we could never have expected...

“Hinata, you have not found a husband, or someone that you would like to be your husband, correct?” Hiashi asked.

“Hai...” I answered quietly.

“Exactly, and because of this the Hyuga elders and council have decided that it would be best for the clan for you to marry-”

“Doesn’t she get a say in this?” Neji interrupted.
Neji-nii-san’s standing up for me? Wait a second, why was Neji-nii-san told to come here too if I am going to be engaged?  

“Yes Neji, she does get a say in it, and so do you, because you are to be engaged to her.” Father answered.

Nani?? Why does he think it’s best for me to marry Nii-san??? I don’t even.....but maybe it won’t be that bad, I mean we train together, and we get along a lot better than we used to, but....

I looked over at Neji, he looked shocked and confused.

“Hiashi...how is this best for the clan?” Neji asked, struggling with his words.

“Simple, one; it would bring the main and side branches together by having a side branch member in power, like Hinata wanted. Two; Neji would be a trust worthy head and husband. Three; Together, we believe, you could protect and support the clan. Four; Neji has inherited the strongest Kekkei genkai in this clan, but the Byakugan can’t be passed down through the male line.” Hiashi explained.

I didn’t know what to think and neither apparently did Neji.

***
It was a few days after I was told I would marry Neji, and I was walking down the hall towards the front door, when Hanabi came up to me.
“Hinata-oneechan?” Hanabi asked me.

“Yes, Hanabi-chan.”

“I heard from father that he plans on having you engaged to Neji?”

“Yes, that’s true, but...”

“Hinata-oneechan you can’t be okay with this, I mean, you should be with whoever you want and anyway he hates you!” Hanabi interrupted.

“Hanabi-chan, he doesn’t... hate me, and I can see how it would be good for the clan” I answered looking at my shoes.

“Hinata-oneechan, you can’t marry Nii-san!!!!” Hanabi said.

Kiba’s POV

Hinata’s not training... maybe she’s in her room? So I knocked on the door of her house, but no one answered. I tried opening it, and it happened to be open, so I went in. But before I took two steps I heard somebody say...

“Hinata-oneechan, you can’t marry Nii-san!!!!”
Was that Hanabi? Wait a second, marry?? Hinata doesn’t have a brother? Wait Hinata calls Neji......

“Neji-niisan...”Hinata said.

Suddenly I jumped out from behind the door and ran at Neji.

Hinata’s POV

“Kiba-kun!” I exclaimed in surprised.
Before I could do anything he had punched Neji in the face, and forced him to step back.

“How dare you!!” Kiba yelled, his face contorted with rage.
Kiba threw another punch, but this time Neji was ready and blocked. Neji kicked Kiba in the stomach, and then dodged his retaliating kick.  Suddenly it was all over, Kiba was on the ground, I was at his side, Neji was gone and so was Hanabi.

“Kiba-kun, why did you attack Nii-san like that?” I asked.

“Because... I won’t let you marry a bastard like him!
” Kiba answered, frustrated.

“Kiba-kun, I don’t know if I am going to marry him or not, how did you find out?”

“I heard Hanabi, and you can’t be okay with this? Can you?”

“I don’t know if I am, but, like I said to Hanabi, it’s for the best of the clan and-”

“Who cares about the clan, this is your life and you...  You just can’t marry him! He tried to kill you!” Kiba interrupted angrily.

“Kiba-kun...I know, that was a long time ago, and he does feel guilty for what he did, it was part of the exam.”

“I can’t believe this! You’re defending that bastard, and what has he ever done to deserve your kindness?!”  

“Kiba-kun..., you should go see Sakura-san, you’re hurt.” I answered quietly, because I didn’t know what else to say.

So Kiba left, and I thought about what he and Hanabi said, and came to the conclusion that Neji-niisan has never hated me, just the life that I was brought up in. He trains with me, stands up for me, and truly cares about me, even if he doesn’t show it.