Disclaimer: I completely own Naruto and expect compensation for this fanfic in the forms of cash, credit card and/or sexual favors......Just kidding you silly beans! Unfortunately I have no say whatsoever on the ownership of this glorious Anime! Though, how long I spend wishing it were true cannot possibly be calculated.

Title Explanation: I'm sure some of you are wondering about the title, so allow me a moment to explain. Most of you know the word Paladin from RPG's and other time-period games as a high level religious figure or healer or something to that effect. But mine definition of Paladin is going to be a little different.

Pal-a-din: n.

1. A paragon of chivalry; a heroic champion

2. A strong supporter or defender of a cause

In this case the Paladin is a Knight. Okay? Okay. Plus I like the use of alliteration, it does wonders for my ego ; )

Note: Yes I'm starting another fanfic. God I'm pretty sure I have an ADD ridden muse. My creative focus has the attention span of a squirrel on crack. I'm also pretty certain that had I not typed this next fanfic and posted it, my brain was going to start leaking out of every orifice of my body.....nice visual....

Sorry to those who have been patiently waiting on updates for my other fanfics. They will not be taking a back burner. In fact I hope to update Perfect or Something Like It and Nevermore: Currently Under Construction later this week. It's just that with finals, my life has been hectic. I swear to bob this is the last semester I take 19 hours. I'm just about ready to rip out my own hair and eat it with a side of olives.....yummmm olives......

Yeah, I'm kind of running on three hours of sleep right now only maintaining my zombie like frame by swimming pools worth of Pepsi Max and shopping carts of Pop-Tarts.

Bless those geniuses who thought of extra Ginseng for us sleep deprived study worms.

Well onto the story I guess, but I feel it needs a little explanation. I got this story idea from a dream, which actually seems to be the basis for many of my stories....Ah well, don't be discouraged by the prolog. It might seem a tad confusing, but all's well that ends well.... I hope you like this story. I kind of do, but I don't really have a set structure for where these things go. I just tend to sit down and start writing, letting my imagination take the story away. Seems to have gotten me this far.

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So without further ado...

Prolog:

Where to Begin:

Hiashi Hyuuga was never one to condone acts of frivolous violence. Don't misunderstand him. He loved a good fight. Combat just happened to be a delicious by-product of augmentation. Empires were sown and reaped on the fields of battle. The thought alone of drawing up tactical strategies and marching upon a neighboring territory was enough to make his blood sing for a lengthy campaign.

He just believed that a Knights' strength was best reserved for more pressing junctures not these silly games his feeble subjects thrived on. But alas, it seemed his masses couldn't get enough of the sound of beating hooves, splintering wood, the sickening crunch of metal and bone. Normally he wouldn't even bother to attend, opting to send his nephew or advisor to sit in on these Jousting Tournaments for him. The smell of unwashed filth and horse droppings amplified by the unforgiving heat, was reason alone to avoid the lists on any occasion. But not today. Today's tournament wasn't even suppose to eventuate let alone he attend it.

Hiashi's brow furrowed.

Why his eldest daughter chose this as the manner of deciding her hand in marriage was beyond him. Of course, he had to admit to himself, he did give her the option. Chose a suitor or he would chose for her. It was only by the insistence of his advisor, that he grudgingly agreed to her terms and allowed this childish revelry of an afternoon to take place.

A joust, Orochimaru explained, would not only be fair test of strength and honor to those vying for Hinata's birth right, but also his people would praise him for it. Perhaps he could stomach a few hours of sport.

A swirl of black drew his attention away from the squires lining up to introduce their master Knights to the mob. He bit back a chuckle at his daughters manner of attire.

"You dress as if you attend a funeral, dear daughter, and not your engagement." His eyes drifted over her ensemble of the day; A black gown, with a high-necked collar, the unembellished hems brushing the ground and falling well past her finger tips. Wrapped around her head was a scarf of matching color effectively hiding her indigo locks and face, opal eyes the only thing visible beneath the layers of cloth. She ignored the surrounding noble's scandalized murmurs with detached poise and cold grace. "Still refusing to speak to me I see."

Her silence was his affirming answer.

"Where is your sister?" He inquired after a pregnant pause. A pale hand pulled out a slip of parchment from her long sleeve before holding it out to the Lord. Hiashi smirked at his daughter's stubbornness. He shook his head and opened the folded paper. His eyes danced down the tiny scrawl.

Father,

I beg that you excuse my absence from your side this day. My attention is needed elsewhere.

Hanabi

"It seems Hanabi will not be attending the joust." He mused aloud, turning to Hinata, "But you already knew that." Hiashi frowned at his eldests' rigid position. She sat with her shoulders squared back, her head held high, breath even and stoic. "Hinata, can you not at least pretend to enjoy this day?" He admonished with a twinge of guilt.

Silence.

Hiashi let out a deep sigh, rubbing his hand across his brow in exasperation. "Remember this was your choice. I gave you two years to pick a suitable husband and instead of a son-in-law, I got an ulcer. You should be thankful that there are so many left alive, let alone able to mount a horse after your shenanigans to enter...."

~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

Hinata watched from the corner of her eye as Hiashi's lips continued to move. She couldn't hear his words over the noises of the encompassing arena, but she could only imagine what that man was saying.

She was not some trophy to be won! She was not some prize to be placed on someone's mantle! She was a women. Independent, Self-Sufficient, and Strong. If her father couldn't see that now, he would before the day was out.

Hinata shifted apprehensively in the saddle, praying to God that Hanabi could keep up the ruse for the rest of the afternoon. Her gloved hands twisted the reins nervously as the time ticked by, each second bringing her closer to the moment of reckoning. Familiar flags of all shades and symbols lined the lists, reminding her of the stakes and what exactly lay in the balance should she win or lose.

Her freedom.

It was at this time that she began to look back, reflecting on what had brought her to this moment. The sounds of the roaring crowd, hungry for action, began to fade, melting into memories of years passed. 12 years to be precise, to the day she met a certain blonde-headed, blue-eyed stable boy.

Where else to begin, but the beginning....

A/N:I know I know. It seems a little confusing now, but just give it a chance and I think that you'll like it! This prolog is a glimpse. The next chapter will be taking you back to the beginning of the story and how it finally came to Hinata having to fight for her own hand in marriage, so to speak. So basically the rest of the fic, until I build back up to this moment in time, is a major Flash Back! Do you get it? If not just review or pm and I'll try my best to explain it to you! I've always had a thing for complex plots and story lines, I just want you to understand it fully so that you may enjoy!! : )

This will be a Sasu/Hina/Gaa Fic. The minor pairings are up for suggestion. So if you have a personal preference review it in and I'll tally up the votes!

Oh, as a side note Lists is a term to describe the roped off area that the joust takes place in. Now, this story will not be historically accurate. I'm sure I'll slip up, so forgive any faux pax. For instance, I don't think they had a term for the medical anomaly 'ulcer' at that time. Just roll with it. And yes, Hiashi will be a tad OOC. Roll with that too.....Please? *Triggers Puppy Dog Eyes of Extreme Cuteness!*

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~Ambrosia