A Magical Princess

Chapter 8

Hari lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. In truth, the mind walk itself hadn't been that awful, but it had brought back bad memories. Ino had been gentle, and as requested hadn't shown Hari what she was viewing. She didn't want to relive her life, she was just now starting to move past everything she had lost.

With a sigh, she gave up on sleep and padded out to the living room, where Chouji was standing by the door on watch. She gave him a small wave and he nodded back when she turned on a lamp and went back to the files. A bit regretfully, she set aside the Yamanaka file - she just couldn't stomach being surrounded by what were essentially mind readers day in and day out, no matter how good-hearted they seemed.

She picked up the Inuzuka file, and after reading through the contract without seeing any red flags, looked at their two candidates. One was the son of the current clan head, Inuzuka Kiba. She wrinkled her nose when she saw he was seven years her junior, and set him aside. Hari would already be fumbling through this, she should probably choose somebody who had some experience. The second candidate was a man named Hisao, and she couldn't help but be intrigued by the marks on his face and sharp teeth. He was twenty-nine and a chunin.

Hari hummed and added him to the 'maybe' pile. The Aburame contract made her wrinkle her nose when she got to the part about how many children would be 'required' if medically possible within the first five years. Apparently, they were offering up one of their elite ninja, and if she was unable to provide him with heirs the contract stipulated that the marriage would end. Not exactly the loving family she had hoped to marry into.

Well, unless the Nara offered something interesting up, it looked like her choices were still slim. Her thoughts were interrupted by a cup of tea being placed by her elbow. Ino was standing next to her, looking unsure of her welcome. Hari gave a small smile and motioned for her to sit.

"I'm sorry," Ino blurted, and Hari blinked at her in surprise. "I saw in your memories why you're uncomfortable having somebody in your mind, but you were placed in a position where you felt like you had to allow me in, anyway. I'm afraid between that and the Hyuuga contract, you probably don't have a great opinion on Konoha right now."

She woman looked so distressed that Hari reached out and touched her hand. "I've found," she said slowly, once Ino's eyes were on hers, "that every society has good and bad. While it's true that I've seen some of the bad today, you and your teammates have already shown me the good. I don't believe Konoha could be such a bad place if it has people like you."

Ino hesitantly returned her smile. "Whoever you pick, you'll have our support. And Ino-Shika-Cho is unbeatable as a team," she finished with a short nod. "We'll protect you, too - from outside forces and your husband if he turns out to be a jerk."

Hari laughed and rolled her eyes. "Do you know Inuzuka Hisao?" she asked and handed his profile to Ino, who hummed.

"Not personally, no. But if he's anything like Kiba he's loud, brash, brave, and loyal to a fault."

So a Gryffindor, Hari thought to herself with an amused huff. "Their clan seems very open and free spirited. I wonder why any of them would be interested in an arranged marriage?"

Ino raised her eyebrow. "Well, like I said, they're loyal. If it would help the clan, they'd at least think about it. Also, I'm guessing there's a lot of boys out there clamoring for a chance to marry a princess," she said with a small laugh. "I read Naruto's report, and I think he said the words 'very pretty' at least four times."

Hari gaped at her, then looked down at her plain yukata. "Um. If they're expecting a sweet princess..."

Ino laughed again. "Nah, maybe the Hyuuga or Yuhi clans, but not any of the others. We're shinobi, after all. Though to be honest, you are pretty laid back compared to most shinobi brides. Quiet, you know."