In the outskirt forests of Konoha there lays a palace rising to the clouds. This imperial structure seemingly abandoned, for no one enters. The villagers of Konoha know better though. They distance themselves from the building in fear of its lord. For as it is told he will kill those who oppose him, and if you enter his land you will surely die. This peaceful silent agreement lasted for 21 years, until one event changed everything.

The birds chirped happily as the morning rays greeted a young girl's face. Blinking her lightly lavender tinged eyes open as she awakened. Slowly she pulled her long dark indigo hair behind her and smiled at the sunlight shining through the window. She rose from her futon, and then dressed herself in a simple kimono to begin the day.

This pure girl lives alone in her quaint tiny house. There is only one window located in the back of the home, and only one room as well. In the front is a small flower garden that is tended to everyday.

As she finished her meager breakfast she picked up a woven basket in the corner of the room and slid the front door open. The clear blue sky met her and white fluffy clouds drifted across. Bending down to pick her flowers, she hummed a peaceful melody. Once she decided she had enough of her only treasures, she began her journey into the village.

When she finally reached her destination the aromas of the restaurants, clopping of horses, and chatter of the people met her. "Hinata!" Another girl about a year older than her with brown hair, who was rushing towards her, called out her name.

"Tenten, how are you?" Hinata greeted. While her friend caught her breath and straightened her kimono.

"I'm doing well! But that doesn't matter right now, he is here!" Tenten said frantically.

"Who?" She questioned.

"The lord of the night! The dark lord! Master of the shadows!" The older girl replied. "I mean Uchiha Sasuke!" She said exasperatedly when Hinata still had a puzzled look on her face.

"What?" Hinata voiced her surprise.

"You heard me. And guess what? He wants to see any woman of marriageable age and who are not betrothed to choose as his wife! The elders agreed immediately!" Tenten announced.

"When do I go to see him?" Hinata asked looking at her friend with complete shock and dismay. Tenten was luckily betrothed already, but she was not.

"After Karin, at the elder Kakashi's house. I checked for you." She answered and directed Hinata in the right direction.

Hinata trembled as she made her way towards Kakashi's house; her fear of the stories told of the man was great. As she reached the building she saw a long string of women standing outside. Gulping she found her place in the line and prayed quietly that someone would be chosen before her turn.

The minutes were hours as time agonizingly slow passed by. She observed that some of the girls exited the house with tears in their eyes, or angered faces. Finally she was next, calmly waiting at the sliding door for Karin to complete her turn. The door was roughly shoved opened startling Hinata as Karin stormed out. All the elders were present she observed timidly from the doorway. "Next." A deep man's voice called to her as Yamato, another elder, beckoned her in.

Bowing low to the person whom she assumed was Uchiha Sasuke she did not dare look up at him. "What is your name?" His cold voice questioned expecting an answer.

"H-Hyuga Hinata." She replied keeping her eyes glued to the ground.

"Raise your head." He ordered her.

Doing as told, she raised her head and met his deep onyx eyes. Sitting before her was strikingly handsome man with jet-black hair and skin almost as pale as her own. He seemed to be around two or three years older than her she concluded as she viewed him. His gaze caused Hinata to blush a light shade of scarlet, as it seemed to be that he was looking into the very depths of her soul. She met his eyes again and the world seemed to stop. After what felt like an eternity he broke their eye contact and turned to Jiraiya, the head elder. "I'll take her." He stated.

"Her? There are plenty oth-" Jiraiya started.

"Her." Sasuke repeated firmly.

"A-as you wish." The head elder bowed.

Sasuke rose from his sitting place and stood directly in front of Hinata. "From now on you are my wife and will serve me in my palace forever."

~StormyNightSea~

Author's Comments: So SasuHina story in progress. I feel like it's too short... :/ Well, I hope you like it so far! :) Please review.