Author's Note: Yeah so I'm back, and I've finally finished the first chapter to Forbidden Fruit. Yeah, I know the title kinda sucks, but I promise that if you stick with it, it'll make sense. Before I forget, I want to thank AlinaLotus for giving me the inspiration to continue writing this. If you haven't read any of her stuff, then I highly recommend you do. It's pure genuis. I'm going to try to update often, in fact, I've already started writining the second chapter. So on with the show.

Disclaimer: Of course I dont own anything... :~)

It's a cool summer's night, and the only light is the moons beauty. Her hair is a midnight black, with highlights of a deep navy blue. Her ivory silk yukata flutters in the wind, causing her to almost look like a celestial being. A man approaches, his long mahogany hair spills over his shoulders, it's usually tied down behind his back but with her, he frees himself. She knows he's nervous. Though his eyes reflect indifference, she knows better. There's an uncomfortable silence that befalls them. Both are waiting. Waiting for someone to speak, to cut through the tension.

"We can't do this anymore." her words are whispered, but they're screaming inside his head. He's scared, he knew his day would come; but it doesn't mean it makes things easier. She isn't his, she never was. She belonged to someone else. She was bound to a man who's onyx eyes, raven hair and pale skin could crush anyone with just a glance.

"I understand, Hinata-sama. You are married, and of higher status. It doesn't look right if you're conversing with your ex-protector all the time."

The words taste sour coming out of my mouth. Even though the words I speak are true, it doesn't make this any easier. I can't bear to look at her, not now. Just hearing the pain in her voice slowly kills me.

"Neji-Nii, please look at me. It's not like that, please understand." her hand softly caresses my cheek. They're warm, just like her eyes. Slowly I turn my gaze to her. Her eyes are brimmed with moisture, they are filled with pain. There's a bruise on her face. 'He's been hitting her again.'

"Why do you allow him to do this to you?" my hands trace over the marks that he's left. Her eyes shut; it must still be fresh. If she were mine, I'd protect her; never would I raise a hand to her.

"It's not as bad as it looks, Nii-San. It was my fault-"

"Stop being naive, he doesn't love you-"

"No, you're wrong. He does love me, I know he does." her opal eyes are casted towards the ground. I know she's right. He does love her, but it doesn't make it alright. I just want her to be mine. I need her; she keeps me sane in this crazy world.

"Neji-Nii, I-I have to go now."

She turns and walks away. I want to stop her. I want to grab her waist and beg her to only love me, but I can't. As much as I hate to admit it, she loves him too. That's how she is; her heart is just too big. It seems like there's never just one person in there.

. :At the Uchiha Manor: .

"Where were you?" he's sitting in an armchair staring off into space. His face is calm and serene, but it's only a facade. She knows he's angry, she can feel it.

"I was just out talking to Ne-" before Hinata can finish, she's slammed against the wall. His hand is wrapped around her slim neck, squeezing it. Looking into his onyx eyes, they're filled with so much rage she can barely breathe.

"Neji- didn't I tell you to stay away from him? He wants to take you away from me." Her chest feels like its on fire, and her breaths are becoming more and more shallow.

"Sasuke, you are mistaken. He would never do that; he's my friend and nothing more." After a brief silence, Sasuke's grip loosened up from around her shoulders.

"That better be the case." With that, he sauntered off to the meet with some friends leaving a frightened Hinata behind. Once he's out of site, she slides to the ground. Tears hit the ground with silent grace as she pulls her legs into her chest.

"Why…why can't I just listen? I wish I could make everyone, Sasuke, Neji-Nii, all of them happy... I just want everyone to be happy."

. : Later that night:.

Hinata is in her room brushing her long midnight hair, preparing for bed. She's wearing a beautiful baby blue silk yukata with a lavender flower print along the sides.

"I hope Sasuke isn't too angry with me," said Hinata, "I'll prepare some tea for him when he arrives." As Hinata walked over to her bedroom door, she heard the front door open and close. 'I guess he's arrived already.' she walks into the living room and is greeted by a drunken raven. The smell of cheap sake and sweat fill the air, making Hinata's nose cringe.

"Sasuke, are you alright?" she tried not to throw up from all the foul odors the man in front of her was emitting.

His glossy eyes locked onto Hinata, "I'm fine." Slowly he began stumbling to the bathroom, mumbling incoherently.

With a small sigh escaping her lips, Hinata slowly walks back to their bedroom. She sits once more at her vanity and slowly brushes her hair.

'I think I'll prepare some tea for him.'

Silently, her feet carry her towards the kitchen. She turns on the stove and sets the kettle onto the flames. 'Tea always tastes better with some biscuits.' Smiling to herself, she takes out some gingersnaps and pours them onto a small platter. The kettle whistles, and Hinata skillfully pours the boiling water into two small cups. She puts some sugar and honey in one cup and leaves the other plain. Carefully, she sets both cups and biscuits onto a tray and carries them into the bedroom. Setting the tray on the table, she carries Sasuke's sleeping clothes and robe to the bathroom. She knocks softly before entering.

"I have your clothes and robes here, when your dressed there's some tea and biscuits waiting on the table. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Her question is greeted only by the sounds of running water and a simple grunt. As she walks to the door, she turns and bows slightly before exiting. She goes back into the bedroom and takes a seat by the table and tea. Her eyes are closed and a faint smile brushes against her lips.

Sasuke enters the room and brags himself over to the table. He sits down, and carefully reaches out and takes a biscuit. After taking a bite, he signals Hinata to begin eating as well. She takes the other cup into her hands, after giving it a quick blow; she slowly sips on some of its contents. Sasuke, who had been eyeing her movements, takes a sip from his cup.

"Does it meet your standards Sasuke?"

"Hn."

'A man of simple words.' She chuckles at her thought, causing Sasuke to give her a questioning glance.

"I was just thinking about something I found amusing." her words a clear and soft. Sasuke simply nods and continues with his beverage, Hinata settles her cup on the table.

"Would you like some more tea or would you prefer something stronger?" Hinata asks with a faint smile painted on her lips.

"Hn."

Sasuke speaks swiftly before downing the rest of the tea in his cup; Hinata carefully takes away the tea set and goes into the kitchen for some sake. She returns to the bedroom with two saucers and a bottle, "this sake is made by the Hyuuga elders, they say that this is what gives us our trademark eyes." sure enough, when she pours the liquid into the glasses, it's the same milky shade of her eyes.

Steady hands pass him a cup, with a grunt of thanks he takes a sip. He is surprised by the strength the sweet liquid, Sasuke notes how it goes smoothly down his throat. It tastes delicious. Hinata takes a graceful long sip before closing her eyes and nodding in acceptance of the beverage. After a brief moment of silence, both begin to fully enjoy their drinks. After a couple more cups, they both retire to bed.

Neji wakes up in his bed, the suns rays are blazing through his windows. 'I really need to invest in some curtains.' He thinks as he rolls out of bed. He cold wooden floors creak under him as his body leads him into his small kitchen. Looking around, he decides that an apple should suffice as his breakfast.

It's been a year since he moved out of the Hyuuga compound, he left right before Hanabi took over as head and directly after Hinata was married off to the Uchiha. It came as a surprise to many, especially to Neji but he went to see how Hinata was handling it, he was greatly surprised.

~ Flashback ~

Neji's mind races as he walks throughout the compound. His feet are guided and swift.

"I have to see Hinata-sama."

Rounding a corner, he sees her. She is in her mother's garden, carefully tending to the irises. He slows his thoughts as well as his pace upon spotting her. Neji leans against a pillar as he watches her; just the sight of her is enough to stop his world. She is beautiful. Hinata continues to tend to her garden. Her shoulders are relaxed and her hair drapes along her shoulders, her pale lavender kimono is loosened and exposes her slender neck and part of her left shoulder. A smile graces her lips and a gentle flame, her eyes. She truly is radiant. He likes this look. Here, she's able to blossom along side her flowers and truly shine. Here, she becomes a goddess.

"May I be of some assistance, Nii-San?" Neji, who was deeply entranced is awoken from his stupor, quickly gathers himself, and kneels before her.

"Hinata-sama, I had gotten wind of your engagement to Uchiha-Dono and I wanted to personally give you my congratulations." Closing his eyes, Neji tries to quiet the voices shouting in his mind.

"Thank you, Nii-San. The decision was made only but a few hours ago, I surprised you found out so quickly-then again, you are a ninja and finding out something as small as this is child's play for you."

Surprised, Neji lifts his head and is met with Hinata's warm smile. Had Hinata seen Neji's face, she would have probably laughed; his eyes were wide open and a slight blush had found its way onto his face. He looked…adorable. But as quickly as the blush had come, it was replaced with its normal stoic nature just as swiftly.

"I apologize for eavesdropping Hinata-Sama, it's jus-"

"There's no need to explain Nii-San, I understand. You were just looking out for your charge, correct?"

Hinata's face still boar a smile as she spoke. Her eyes held the knowledge behind Neji's comment, and her smile was all that was needed to convey this to Neji. Looking away, Neji simply grunted at her words, allowing Hinata to know that she was right. A peaceful silence befell the pair, Hinata continued to pull weeds, while Neji watched some birds soaring in the sky.

"Why did you accept?"

"…"

"You could've refused and then took over as head, it's not like you haven't proven yourself to be worthy of the title."

"Even if I took over as head, Hanabi would've been forced into an arranged marriage, or she would've received the seal. I won't allow my younger sister to have a fate such as that. Not as long as there's something I can do to prevent it."

Hinata's back was now turned to Neji, but he could tell that this decision had plagued her mind. He could tell by the determination in her voice, that she wouldn't be swayed on this matter. 'You truly have changed Hinata-sama.' Neji knew that there was nothing that he could do to change Hinata's fate, the only thing he could do was accept it; and that was what was so irritating. He was of the branch house and didn't hold any power what so ever. The only reason he was able to live in the main house quarters, was because he was Hinata's protector and Hiashi's nephew. Even having the most powerful byakugan wasn't enough, at the end of the day; he was still from the branch house.

"All I can do is stand behind you in any decision you make, Hinata-sama."

Hinata looked over to Neji, he was expecting tears but he was surprised once more when all he saw was a sad smile. "Neji-Nii, once I'm married, you'll be free of that task. Father might even give you a seat in council seeing that you're the Hyuuga prodigy. You'll finally get to spread your wings and fly."

~ End Flashback ~

After putting on his training clothes; Neji heads to the old training post where his team use to meet. The stoic brunette began doing a series of stretches, then, he began his training regimen. He preformed a series of gentle fist thrusts, while throwing a few throwing stars. Although his body was at work, his mind was off somewhere else.

'Why couldn't she just stay with me-with the Hyuuga? It's not like Hanabi-Sama was opposed to the idea of Hinata-sama becoming head; she was happy with that.'

Jumping into the air, Neji activates his byakugan and takes out four kunai and throws them with refined grace at the five dummies. Three embed themselves into the targets chest, while the fourth kunai hits the dummy but pierces through its chest continuing on to the last target. Walking up to the dummies, Neji examines his work.

"Perfect. As expected of the Hyuuga prodigy."

Neji turns around and looks over to where the voice originated. His eyes lead him to a large oak tree with thick branches and foliage, at the base of the tree; someone walks out from behind it. Neji deactivates his blood line and keeps his voice monotonous,

"Uchiha."

-End Chapter-

Please Review i really need the encouragement:~3