Hello! I'm back with a brand new story! Yaaaay! I'm trying something new out this time around. Please give this story a try. This first chapter is a little slow, but it's just the introduction. I promise it picks up. There are a few aspects from the original story added into this fic, though I still consider it an AU. It's historic in a sense I suppose. Though who can really tell what time-period Naruto actually takes place in? Let's just call this my own special time-period, ne?

Water Country

Kawaiixkisses

Chapter One - Fire Country

The summer air was hot and humid with life. Flowers exploded around the garden in reds, yellows and purples of every shade. Tall and fluffy trees and shrubs burst from the ground, surrounding the flowers. At the center of the garden was a small stream that rushed throughout the land and under the red-oak bridge that brought the palace and the garden together as one.

Hinata sat quietly in the grass, staring down at her reflection in the running water. Her long black hair was pulled back from her face and fashioned around her head in intricate loops and twists and held together by three combs. She donned a red kimono with white lilies stitched into the fabric. Around her waist was a white obi, tied perfectly into a boy behind her back.

Her transparent eyes stared into the water at her white face and red lips. Her eyes were puffy, swollen from tears. Today was the last day of her life. Tomorrow she would be sent away to a country she had never been to and only ever heard awful things about. They were cold-hearted people in the Fire Country, aggressive and angry. Growing up she was taught to hate people from the Fire Country and although Hinata could not hate anyone, she couldn't help the prejudice feelings she was having at the moment.

More tears filled her eyes then. Those same angry, cold-hearted people were the people who she would be spending the rest of her life with. Everything she had ever known was being ripped from her hands for the sake of some ideal of peace between her country – the Water Country – and the Fire Country. Hinata loved the idea of peace just as much as the next person but she had grown out of her days of the Water Country – and the Fire Country. Hinata loved the idea of peace just as much as the next person but she had grown out of her days of naivety–she knew that peace was only something that would last temporarily between her people and the Fire Country. They would find something else to fight over eventually.

Hinata had never been this depressed in her entire life – this angry. How could her father do this to her? Hinata knew he did not love her quite as much as her younger sister and her cousin but he still loved her didn't he? He still did what was best for her like any normal father would right? Then how could he possibly sign her life away to the Fire Country – the enemy? It wasn't making much sense to her. She knew her father didn't plan on making her Empress after he died but he couldn't have thought this to be her only use to her country? She loved the Water Country just as much as anyone else, possibly more, but this was just cruel. Why should she have to be sacrificed? She was the first-born! Hanabi should be the–

Hinata stopped herself from continuing her thoughts. That wasn't right. Hanabi didn't deserve to be sold just as she hadn't. Being angry and wishing her fate on someone else wouldn't help her anyway. The only thing she could do was accept the cards the gods had dealt her and be happy with it. There were far worse things that could happen.

"Hinata-hime."

Hinata patted her eyes with her sleeve before looking up. There before her stood her tall and elegant older cousin, Neji. He looked at her with the same white eyes at hers, his expression stoic as always. He donned a pure white kimono, a stark contrast to the bold red one she wore.

"Neji-niisama."

It was silent between the two for a long while as Neji fought for the right words to say. Growing up, he had always looked out for his younger cousin. She was soft and delicate despite the times of war that faced the country. She was sweet and gentle when everything else was sour and rough. He hated that she was being affected the most by the war, a war that had been waging from long before they or their great-grand parents were born. In order to bring peace to the lands and stop the fighting, she would have to give up her dreams and hopes. It wasn't fair. Neji knew that; he understood that it had to be done but that didn't change the way he was feeling.

"I'll save you," he promised her.

The wind blew gently, rustling the leaves and running through his long dark hair. Hinata stared up at her cousin with a sad smile. She loved Neji, more than anyone else in the palace. In her entire life she doubted there was anyone who loved her more than Neji did. He was more like her big brother rather than her cousin.

"You can't," she whispered softly, afraid to speak louder lest her voice crack.

"One day I'll be Emperor. When that day comes, I'll come for you."

Hinata held back her tears as best as she could. She didn't want Neji to see her crying, that would only deepen his resolve. She knew that when Neji made up his mind, there was nothing to change it. His word is what he lived by and if he said it, he meant it. End. Of. Story.

"Niisama… I'll be fine. I've heard tales of the Fire Country from my maid. She was born there you know. She said that it's beautiful in the summer time," she said softly, offering him a kind smile.

Neji saw through her though. As always Neji knew when his cousin was bullshitting him. He knew she was only saying those things because she didn't want him to worry. Her saying them at all meant that there was a reason for him to worry.

"I'll come for you hime. Personally. I'll come to the Fire Country and take you back. I swear."

Hinata swallowed past the lump that had lodged itself in her throat. She could feel the tears building up in her eyes and unable to hold them back, she let them fall. She smiled through her tears however. She didn't want the last time memory of her that Neji would have to be one of sadness. She wanted him to remember her smiling.

"I love you, Neji-niisama."

Although he loved his cousin above anything else, he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. She knew he cared for her and so he didn't bother with expressing it verbally. He was a man of action. That being so, he hugged her.

His arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her to his frame. He patted her head as she snuggled against his chest. He would miss his cousin deeply. Who knew how long it'd be before his old man died and he could become Emperor? The old man looked strong enough to last 20 more years at least. The thought pissed him off.

"The Uchiha are here… it's time…" he said at last, letting her go.

Hinata patted her eyes and stood up straight once more. It was time for her to meet the people her father had so easily given her to. So easily. She bit her bottom lip gently, forcing back the tears she felt.

"Come on, hime," Neji said, gesturing for her to walk ahead of him.

Hinata nodded and walked slowly out of the garden.

The tearoom was silent. The tension was so strong that it was hard for Hinata to breathe. She had never met the Emperor of the Fire Country but he was just as she imagined him to be. Uchiha Fugaku. He had short, black hair and matching black eyes – a complete contrast from hers and the rest of her family. His face was riddled with wrinkles around his mouth and across his forehead, yet did not take away from his attractiveness. He was a handsome man, somewhere in his late 50s.

Her white eyes trailed over to the man who sat beside the Emperor. Uchiha Itachi. He was the spitting image of his father with dark hair and eyes. His lips were set in a firm line and his chin was chiseled to perfection. His hair was longer than his father's however, yet not nearly as long as Neji's. He looked at her upon catching her staring and offered her a kind smile.

Hinata on the other hand blushed and looked down at her lap. He was handsome and she would be a liar if she said that she didn't find him attractive even a little bit. His attractiveness didn't take away from her feelings towards their marriage however. She hated what was about to transpire between them even if it did mean that it would benefit the Water Country.

"Fugaku."

Hinata's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her father's baritone. He was the epitome of calm, his expression stoic as ever. He was the master of schooling one's emotions and he did well teaching his children and Neji to do the same. He was seated perfectly, his back straight yet seeming relaxed in a way that proved he had years of practice. Hiashi's long black hair spilled over his shoulders and was cut bluntly at his mid back. His white eyes matched his daughter's except for the icy edge to them.

The older man was dressed in a blue kimono, signifying that he was the Emperor of the Water Country. His hands were set neatly on his lap, as he stared into the eyes of his company. He oozed of regality, just as one would expect from a man in his position. Not only was he the head of one of the noblest clans in the country – the Hyuuga – but he was also the Emperor of the nation. He was a man whose regality was legitimate. He was the personification of royalty at it's finest.

"Hiashi."

Hinata's eyes drifted from her lap to the man who addressed her father once more. His expression was not at all like her father's; in fact this man was smiling pleasantly. He didn't seem hold-hearted, as the war had suggested, then again looks could be deceiving.

"Welcome to my home and the Water Country. I hope your stay is an enjoyable one," Hiashi said, his voice calm and even.

Fugaku continued to smile. "Mm. Yes, you're country in beautiful, however it is no comparison to your daughter."

Hiashi cast a sideways glance to his eldest child who was seated perfectly just has she had been taught to. Her expression was neutral yet her eyes held a kindness to them unlike his own. If he had to admit, his daughter was beautiful. The thought didn't last long however and he turned his attention to his guests once more.

"Thank you. I hope you and your son find her acceptable."

"Mm. What do you think Itachi-kun? Is she to your liking?" Fugaku asked his son, smiling pleasantly at Hinata however.

Hinata fought the urge to blush, feeling the heat rising up her neck and battling it back down. Her white eyes met the coal like ones of her fiancé and waited patiently for his response.

Itachi smiled pleasantly. Hinata could tell that his smile however, was genuine unlike the one his father wore which only creped her out. "She is beautiful. However, I'd like to get to know her better. Don't you agree, Hime-sama?"

Hinata forced herself not to look to her father for guidance. She did not want to embarrass him here – not in front of these people. Hiashi would surely punish her if she made him look foolish.

"Hn. I agree Kotaishi-sama," she said politely.

Itachi smiled at her, causing tiny butterflies to erupt in the pit of her stomach. She attempted to return his smile with one of her won, the act causing him to chuckle lightly.

Hiashi looked to Itachi and studied him carefully.

"I hope you approve of my eldest," Fugaku said, his same creepy smile in tack.

"He'll do."

Fugaku let out a deep chuckle at Hiashi's comment. It was no secret that either man hated the other – a little side jabbing was not at all unexpected. The two men had only set their differences aside for the sake of their people. Too many men were dying in the war and if it continued on only women and noblemen would be left in both countries. There wouldn't be enough men to keep the population normal. So, the two men decided to end the war at the sake of their people. Apparently, the only way to insure that neither party would take this "agreement" as an opportunity to strike hard against the other, the two decided that a marriage between their two eldest would be the perfect reminder of peace.

"Itachi-kun, why don't you let Hime-sama show you around?" Fugaku suggested. "That is of course if she doesn't mind."

"It's no trouble," Hinata said softly, standing to her feet.

Itachi rose as well and Hinata almost gasped at how tall he was. He towered over her, her head coming up to his chest just barely. Though stunned, she forced herself to show him out of the tearoom, stopping only to slide her feet into her sandals.

The two walked around the empty halls of the palace in silence, the only sound made by the clicking of their sandals.

"Your country is beautiful," he said to her after a while.

Hinata nodded her head in agreement. No place she had been had ever compared to the Water Country. Even in its poorest villages – which she had snuck away, to visit last year – the Water Country was positively beautiful. "Thank you."

Itachi's pleasant smile slowly faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "I'm sorry it had to come to this," he said carefully, picking his words precisely. "It must be hard for you especially."

Hinata was silent for a long while, looking down at her feet as they walked out of the palace and across the bridge to the garden. "I don't mind," she said softly.

An obvious lie of course. Hinata, like any other woman, wanted to marry someone she would have loved. She wanted happiness and romance, not some agreement between her father and the Emperor of another nation.

"I can't promise you love," Itachi said to her honestly after a moment or so. "But I can however, promise to be the best husband to you that I can be."

Hinata wasn't sure what that meant exactly but did not question it. She knew that there would be no love in their marriage because this was not something they decided on their own. Hinata had never met the prince before that day so for her to even begin to think that they could find love was a little naïve of her.

"Let's at least be friends, okay?"

Hinata looked up at him, her white eyes studying his gentle smiling face. Friends. That was something else she had not considered. The idea of friends in the Fire Country seemed absurd to her in a way. However, if she could not find love with her husband, then being friends with him was something she wouldn't mind in the least.

"Okay."

Itachi smiled, his face handsome and gentle. Hinata could definitely be friends with this man. She flashed him a genuine smile of her own.

The journey to the Fire Country was long and tedious. At times Hinata felt herself becoming irritated with how long it was taking them to travel across the sea. The ship they traveled in was beautiful, though she hadn't expected anything less coming from a family of equal wealth.

The room she was given was decked out in silk and large pillows. The bed wasn't as large as the one she had at home, well…her old home but it was still large nonetheless. It was a dark room, not that she minded too much, and adjacent to Itachi's.

Hinata had spoken to him a lot since they boarded the ship three days ago. They had all their meals together and even went for a walk around the ship. Hinata found Itachi to be a nice guy. He was smart and funny and never made her feel like she was anything other than a princess. He treated her as she was supposed to be treated. Hinata was sure that Neji would approve if he were there to see it. The princess didn't fool herself too much however, she had to remember that not everything was as it seemed all the time and looks were often deceiving.

"You're going to love the Fire Country," Itachi told her that evening over dinner.

Hinata looked to him with a doubtful smile. She would never love the Fire Country in the way that she loved the Water Country.

"Trust me on this," Itachi continued. "There are flowers year round and hardly any bad weather days."

Hinata was used to the snow of the Water Country for most of the year then the three months of hot summer. It was beautiful to her. She loved the snow but always looked forward to those three months of sunshine and flowers.

"Does it snow?" she found herself asking.

"Hn. Not as often as in the Water Country however."

Interesting. The Fire Country would not measure up to the Water Country but she was curious to see what it looked like. In the descriptions she had been given by those who fought in the war, it was blazing hot year round. The way Itachi spoke made her a little doubtful of her sources. The only way she would truly know was if she saw it for herself.

"You'll like the palace for sure," he told her.

"Will I have my own room?" she asked, feeling a little silly for doing so. Some people had separate rooms from their spouses in the Water Country; they were mostly upper-class and noblemen however.

"Hn," he said after a long while of silence. "That is until we are officially wed."

Hinata gave no comment.

The wedding came quickly. Hinata had only been in the Fire Country for three weeks before the wedding took place. The first week was one of comfort and getting used to her new surroundings, whereas the following two were hectic and overwhelming.

The princess had been rushed around from place to place, taking crash course lessons in Fire Country culture. She had to know how to bow, when to bow, whom to bow to lest she offend certain guests at the wedding. She needed to familiarize herself with new honorifics if she was to come off as polite to the Fire Country people.

Then of course there was the making of her wedding kimono. A shipment of Wind Country silk was sent in for the special occasion. Her kimono was made of pure white silk that clung to her body as it was supposed to. She wore sandals whose straps were woven from gold just for the occasion. The princess was shuffled around from hand to hand by the maids – who Hinata was beginning to see held a high position in this palace than in the one she was born in. They painted her face white and smeared the red juice of sallflowers on her lips, making them a dramatic contrast to her face. She sat quietly while her eye brows were painted black and lined thicker than they were naturally. Her long black hair was let down from it's original style, only to be forced up again into a more intricate fashion. They took thick locks of it and twisted it about her head in a way that made her head feel heavy. Once the appropriate combs were pushed into place, Hinata was given a mirror to finally look at herself.

Her white eyes stared into the mirror for a long while, studying the makeup she wore and her kimono. She never looked more beautiful in her life, of that she was sure. Her heart hammered in her chest and she set the mirror down on the dresser.

"Smile. It's your wedding day," a feminine voice chirped in her ear.

Hinata turned to see one of the maids smiling happily at her. Her rose colored hair was pulled back from her face and held by a chopstick into a messy bun. She was the only person who had really talked to Hinata since her arrival a few weeks ago.

"Sakura-san… Thank you," Hinata said to her softly, fighting back tears.

"Hn. Your lucky you know," she said softly, patting Hinata's kimono affectionately, admiring the feel against her fingertips. "There's not a woman in the Fire Country that wouldn't have wanted to be in her place right now. Kotaishi-sama is a good man. You will be loved."

Sakura looked up from the kimono and smiled. Hinata could tell that Sakura really believed what she was saying. Itachi was a good man, but Hinata could not see him in that way. She had never had a romantic attachment to a man before and was a little sad that the opportunity for her to experience this love was impossible for her now. She'd never know what it was like to be held by the man she loved, to be wooed by him. She'd never get to experience it. Swallowing the sadness she felt in her heart, she stood up slowly.

"Hime-sama… just one more thing," Sakura said, hurrying to her feet.

Hinata watched as the pinkette made her way over to the dresser and picked up a handful of Sakura from a bowl.

"For luck," she said softly, breaking the Sakura apart and dropping the petals on top of Hinata's head. "We probably won't speak tonight so let me tell you this now. Itachi is a great man and will make an even greater Emperor. Keeping the Fire Country safe is a tiring job, so he'll need you to help him at the end of the day. Be a good wife to him. Give him plenty of children. Most importantly, be happy together."

Hinata's eyes filled with water as she stared eye to eye with Sakura. She could tell. Sakura loved Itachi. It was obvious. The way she helped her along, offered her comfort and advice. She loved Itachi to the point that even if he was marrying another woman, she wanted his marriage to be a joyous one. She wanted to see Itachi happy. Hinata felt as though her heart might break. She was a thief – stealing away Itachi from the woman who loved him truly. Sakura should be the one in the white kimono, not her. Hinata's heart hurt even more then as the thought crossed her mind. Even if it weren't Hinata who was marrying Itachi, it would have been the same. Itachi was the first-born; he had to marry a woman from a royal family in order to birth pureblood children. Sakura would never be permitted to marry Itachi unless the two ran away from the palace, which would not be an easy task at all. Hinata remembered when her cousin, Asamu, tried to flea the palace with one of the kitchen maidens three years ago. The palace guards beheaded the maiden and even since then Asamu had never been the same. He was cold and angry. Although he was of royal blood and would not have to fight in the shinobi war, he had enlisted anyway – even going as far as to drag Neji into it with him. He needed to kill, that was the only way for him to relieve his stress and agony at the loss of his love. Asamu died. Suicide – his own jutsu.

Looking at Sakura now, Hinata never felt so awful in her entire life. She'd give anything for them to trade places. "I will. I promise I will," Hinata said, sniffing back tears.

"Come, it's time," Sakura said, taking Hinata's hand and leading her carefully out of her bedroom.

Thoughts, feelings, concerns? Review onegaishimasu?