Who The Fuck Did My Mother Hire?
As promised, Asuma took me out around the Village.
He even brought his girlfriend, a kind woman named Kurenai.
She was also a Jonin instructor and had gladly given me all the embarrassing stories of her young students.
But then Asuma would say something I couldn't understand and then they would make cute faces at each other over a joke I would never understand.
I know that I had invited her, and I did enjoy her company.
I just enjoyed it less when Asuma would push back a curl of her deep brown hair, or stare into her kind red eyes.
She was a beautiful woman, capable of finding herself a nice man that she was happy with, while I was stuck under my mother's heel.
I couldn't care less that they were together, but I was jealous of the looks they gave.
They have something I feared I never would, and it infuriated me.
I found their company becoming less and less welcome.
We were no longer a small group hanging out to distract me from my inevitable wedding, but I started to feel as though I was interfering with a date.
It was natural and expected, but it still annoyed me.
I became background noise, like the servants back at the Manor.
They made sure to include me when it was necessary, but I knew the truth.
I was a nuisance, as my mother always said, and it was time for me to go.
'But I don't want to go back yet.'
I bit my lip and slowed to a stop, watching Asuma laugh at the quiet joke Kurenai whispered to him.
Deciding it best not to disturb them I silently slipped away.
Sometimes I prided myself on my ability to disappear, which made me feel like a ninja as a child.
But then I grew up and my dreams of being a fellow shinobi perished with every immobile dress or heels my mother forced upon me.
Slipping through the busy streets of Konoha was satisfying, almost freeing.
I wondered, briefly, if I could, should escape?
But the thought was fleeting.
It wouldn't be fair to Hatake, after all.
Asuma made it clear that if he doesn't marry me then he'll be forced to marry someone else.
He couldn't run, so why should I be allowed to forsake everything when he can't?
It wouldn't be fair.
At least with me, he would have freedom.
What if the next girl was some stuck up snob?
I, at least, won't inconvenience him.
'Mother always taught me how to be a proper wife,' I thought bitterly, 'But to hell with that. I'll just stay out of his way like some roommate, that way neither one of us feels obligated to anything.'
Hanging my head I watched the feet of the crowd absently.
I was taught to be a proper wife, yet I was never any good at it.
Sure, I could do the basics, but I was never enough for my mother's approval.
'Who cares? I'm not gonna run around and cook dinner, clean, or please some man I couldn't care less about!' I thought heatedly, cursing whoever decided that was what it meant to be a wife.
Suddenly, I crashed into something solid and strong, it made me stumble back and trip over my feet, but an arm slid around my back to steady me.
Blinking up at the man that both saved and endangered my life from another tumble I tried to steady my breathing.
Once calmed down he let me go and...smiled at me?
The man was tall, I came up to his shoulder. He wore a skin-tight black shirt that hugged his figure, showing off his cut waist and strong chest, his arm muscles clearly showing through. Beyond that, I could only say that he had pretty silver hair and a lone cryptic black eye because the rest of his face was covered in a black mask, pulled up and over his sturdy nose and covering his cheeks. His Leaf headband tilted down to cover his left eye.
He had an air of charm to him, an aloofness making him even more mysterious. The quarter of his skin shown was pale, highlighting the black fabric.
"Must be more careful, what if I couldn't catch you?" He teased, voice mischievous.
His eye turned into an upside-down U, seemingly to be interpreted as a smile.
Flushing I gave a little bow.
He was handsome, seemingly a decent personality.
I wondered briefly what rank he was, he didn't have a jacket, so I couldn't be sure.
I wasn't used to the ninja life, most of its commonalities evaded my understanding.
"I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going." I looked up bashfully, fidgeting just slightly.
He shrugged calmly, I expected him to walk away, but he seemed to pause to think, staring down at me.
"Why were you in such a rush?" He asked gently, coaxing a response from me.
Blushing I thought back to how my emotions drove me to a crisp walk.
Clearing my throat I looked away.
"I was...just in a...hurry?" I cursed the light question to my tone.
Mother would surely scold me for losing control.
"A hurry? For what?" He asked, whipping out a book.
I was taken aback. Here he was speaking to me and yet he chose to read a book instead of listening to an answer?
Furthermore, why was he still talking to me?
Did I look suspicious or something?
'Oh shit! What if he knows who I am and thinks I'm running away? Mother would have surely paid someone to keep an eye on me.'
The thought filled me with dread and I attempted to leave the conversation.
"I'm just supposed to meet someone. Speaking of I really must be going."
I stepped past him, attempting to escape his overpowering aura.
He fell into step behind me.
"Who are you visiting?" He asked lazily, and I cursed.
"Just a friend, they're showing me around the Village today." I said, scanning for Asuma and Kurenai.
"Seems kinda counterintuitive if they're asking you to meet them somewhere when you aren't familiar with the place."
I heard a page turn.
'This asshole! Why is he following me if he doesn't care?'
I growled under my breath.
"I don't know what you mean, I was in this part of the Village yesterday."
I tried to cover up the slight panic I felt.
In truth, I had no idea where I was.
"Hmmm. Is that so?" He asked, a slight uptick to his tone.
He found this amusing.
Whipping around I put my hands on my hips and leaned forward, trying to catch his eye.
If he was startled by the sudden stop he didn't show it.
Calmly he lowered the book just slightly.
"What in god's name is so interesting about a book while you fucking follow me?" I raged, Mother would kill me for cursing at the man.
He blinked at me before he eye-smiled again.
Huffing I eyed the book and gasped, attempting to snatch it. His hand was tucking it away into the pouch on his thigh before I could reach it though.
"You're reading that trash?" I asked, staring at where he put the small monstrosity of literature.
He seemed momentarily defensive, pacing his hand on the pouch before hesitantly removing it.
"You know it?" He asked, clearly surprised.
Scoffing I turned to stomp away.
'He was reading fucking porn while fucking questioning me! Who the fuck did my mother hire?'
I felt him fall into step behind me again, made me feel like he was a giant puppy chasing a chew toy.
"I didn't expect you to have read it, most women refuse to even look at it." His tone was light and teasing, it made my blood boil.
Skidding to a halt I got up and into his face, well the best I could with the height difference that is.
"I didn't read it! I just know the author!" I nearly screeched, scandalized that a respectable woman like me would be accused of something so adulterous.
"That book is an insult to literature!" I pointed at the pouch venomously.
He covered it mockingly, like an adult covering a child's ears.
"Now now, I wouldn't agree to that." He said, seemingly miffed.
Rolling my eyes I continued to walk.
"You said you know Jiraiya?" He asked, coming to walk beside me instead of behind.
Curling my nose I nodded my head.
"Yeah, he used to visit all the time."
I crossed my arms in annoyance.
"Though he hasn't visited in a while." I mumbled disapprovingly.
I missed the man.
"So you and him...?" He trailed off, tilting his head questioningly.
I gasped, scandalized.
"What the hell? That is absolutely disgusting!" I chided, shaking my head at him with horrified eyes.
"Jiraiya used to come by to see my mother. She would never allow me to steal any spotlight from her. Furthermore, he's like fifty!" I ranted, disgusted with the mere thought.
"Jiraiya was like a father to me, we used to go around and prank the servants back at the Manor!" My tone slipped from appalling to nostalgic.
I always had the most fun when Jiraiya was around, but then my mother would steal him away and I would once again be left to sit patiently and wait till I was allowed to leave my room.
I hated those times the most.
"It sounds like you were very fond of him." He said lightly, apologetically.
"Yeah I was, but I probably won't see him again." I bit out before I could stop myself.
It hurt to think about, hurt more to say it.
I practically lived for the days he would stop by.
But now that I wouldn't be at the Manor...Mother surely wouldn't tell him that I'm here.
Sighing sorrowfully I tried to clear the despair from my mind.
Hatake had it bad too, I'm not the only one suffering.
The thought didn't quite make me feel better, but my sorrow shifted from myself to him.
I've wondered, since I learned of our agreement, what type of man he is.
His looks, personality, his house, if he has pets or plants, and especially, if he could accept me.
If I could accept him.
"I don't know about that. I bet you'll see him the next time he's in the Village." The man mused, looking forward.
I snapped my head to him, studying him.
He didn't seem to have any doubts.
"I don't know about that. Mother surely wouldn't tell him I'm around. And I don't think my groom-to-be will care much." I snipped but immediately felt bad.
He was trying to make me feel better, and I tore out his jugular.
The man flinched lightly, I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't studying him.
"I'm sure your groom will care." He almost whispered.
"How can you be so sure?" I demand, looking away from him.
"He's forced into this too isn't he? I'm sure he doesn't want to fight with you. If telling Jiraiya you're in town will make you happy, I don't see why he wouldn't." His tone was soft and resigned.
"But he doesn't even know me, why should he care if I'm happy or not? He's just as much a captive as I am."
My anger fell away to a vulnerability my Mother would despise.
"Yeah, I guess that's true. But that doesn't mean you can't be...cordial with each other."
I stayed quiet for a minute, contemplating what to say.
"If you're going to continue to follow me, then could you take me up to the top of Hokage Mountain? I'm kinda lost." I say instead of continuing the conversation.
He was right of course, but how am I supposed to trust that Hatake will want that?
The man nodded and we drifted through the streets, eventually reaching the mountain.
We didn't have much conversation after that, being left on an awkward note like that does wonders at reforming the ice between strangers.
Once we reached the top I walked to the edge and sat down, letting the gentle breeze brush through my hair.
The man stayed standing, I could only assume he felt more comfortable standing behind me.
"Thank you for bringing me here." I said, briefly wishing this kind man was my husband-to-be instead of this unknown Hatake.
But I shook the thought from my head, there was no getting out of this marriage, for me or Hatake.
I would only hurt him if I attempted to run away with some man I met in the street.
Hell, I don't even know his name.
"Lady (Y/N)! There you are, we've been looking for you everywhere!"
I turned sharply to see Asuma and Kurenai, I looked back to the man, he looked about to leave.
"Wait! What's your name?" I asked, rushing to stand up.
He gave me a smile, or I can only assume he did, before he just shook his head and poofed away, leaving nothing but smoke and a few leaves behind.
"Who was that? I didn't catch a glimpse at them." Asuma said, coming to stand next to me.
I just gave him a smile.
"I don't know." That was all I said, before sitting back down to watch the Village.
"But I wish I could find out."