This is the big project I've been working on! Merry Christmas to RavineMichelle, who gave me a list of pairings and a prompt that said "You know what I like" and set my muse free. And a big thanks to my beta, mummapaintstheblues for putting up with me during this process.

Hinata's only comfort was the familiar tittering of the ladies behind her and her cousin's warmth close by her side as they were escorted to the throne room. She could hear the music echoing down the cold halls, the whispers that followed after her from the strangers that bowed as she passed.

"Always be on your guard, Princess," Neji muttered, offering his hand as the giant wooden doors parted. "Play your part, but trust no one here."

Unbidden, a whimper escaped Hinata's lips as she placed her fingers in Neji's palm, the other hand pressing tightly to her stomach. Her bodice was too tight, the air too stale. She would faint if she had to go through this for one more second.

The roar of the crowd quelled as she was revealed to them. A hundred pairs of eyes turned on her and the heat that rose to her face was unbearable. They were studying, judging, scrutinizing, criticizing her. Neji's hand tugged her forward, and she stepped into their midst.

Play your part.

Hinata righted herself, chin held high as the audience parted on her way towards the front of the room. The conversation had died down to a hum, the occasional "Princess Hyuuga" making its way through the din. The walk seemed to take an eternity, but as the last couple moved aside, she finally laid eyes on him for the first time.

King Gaara, though slight in frame, was a picture of regalia. The chains around his neck were made of pure gold, contrasting greatly with the maroon of his dress, the vermilion of his hair. The crown he wore was simple, inlaid with the emeralds, the royal colors of the house of Sabaku.

Neji squeezed her hand gently and together they bowed. She heard her cousin speak beside her. "King Gaara, may I present Princess Hinata of Konoha." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gaara raise a hand and they straightened. Hinata nervously smoothed a palm over the front of her dress as she looked into the king's ice blue eyes.

"Welcome, Princess." His voice was low and warm, so different from what she was expecting.

She bowed again, if only to hide the ever growing redness of her face. "Yo-your Grace… Thank you fo-for receiving me."

He was not supposed to be like this. He was to be cold and ugly, disfigured as the rumors said. He killed his mother, they said. That his father couldn't stand to look at him, that he was locked away for most of his life. But that was not the man currently sitting in front of her.

When she looked up again, he was studying her closely. While she was used to men objectifying her, the look in his eyes was not predatory, but merely curious. She also noticed that his eyes never strayed any lower than her face, which was not aiding the blush that kept growing. She could feel it heating across her chest now, and all she wanted to do was hide before she fainted in front of the king.

Finally, he smiled, nothing more than a small quirk of his lips before he stood and turned his attention to the crowd gathered. "My loyal subjects and friends, I take this time to announce that Princess Hinata is to be my bride and your new queen. Let us celebrate the union of our lands."

There were a few gasps from the crowd, but most were not surprised by the development. His closest confidants knew that this had been in the works for ages, to strengthen the alliance between Konoha and Suna after a war that had almost torn both countries apart.

"Princess Hinata." Gaara beckoned her closer, offering his hand. Neji almost didn't let go of her, but Hinata tugged her fingers gently from his grasp to place them in Gaara's. Together, they circled the room. He introduced her to the members of his court while she tried her hardest to commit their names and faces to memory. In time, it would be revealed who was a friend and who was an enemy here.

In between introductions, he paused, looking down on her with a furrowed brow. "Are you alright? You're trembling."

Hinata squeaked, his acknowledgement only serving to make her shaking worse. There was no chance she was going to tell him that she was hardly at ease at his side, that the rumors of his cold heart were chilling her to the bone. "Ye-yes! I'm fine, I just… I'm quite a-alright, Your Grace." Her smile didn't seem to appease him, but he let the matter go.

They weaved through the mass until they came to a pair standing to the side, the man entertaining a few young ladies while the woman beside him observed the room.

"Princess, my brother and sister. May I introduce Prince Kankuro, Duke of Karasu, and Princess Temari." Hinata curtsied to them both.

Temari offered a kind smile as she returned the gesture. "Welcome to Suna, Princess. I hope you're finding everything to your liking?"

"Yes, tha-thank you... It's quite beautiful here..." She could see Temari visibly straining to hear her, and Hinata berated herself for her meekness. She was right to be afraid of these people, but she wasn't supposed to show it.

Kankuro gave her a once-over before bowing. "Yes, yes, welcome Princess! We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival! You need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask." And that was all he said to her before sweeping away, all the of the ladies trailing after him.

Beside her, Gaara shook his head. "Please forgive my brother. Renouncing his titles has obviously not had an impact on his popularity and his ego continues to grow ever larger."

"Hi-his renouncement, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Kankuro is my older brother. But that's a story for another time. Perhaps you would indulge a dance with me, Princess Hinata?"

Just as she was about to accept, Neji appeared by her side. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. We've had a long journey, and I'm afraid the Princess has not been feeling like herself since we arrived. I feel it necessary to escort her to her chambers at this time."

Gaara nodded. "I'm sorry to have kept you. Please rest. We will see each other tomorrow."

The Hyuuga bowed and made a hasty exit, Hinata's ladies in waiting falling in line behind.

"N-no, you all have fun. I can ta-take care of myself."

"Don't be obtuse, Princess. We're here to take care of you." Sakura chimed, turning by the shoulder away from the party. "There will be more parties. We're at court now." The excitement in her voice was contagious.

They hurried to her quarters, Neji kissing her softly on the cheek before retiring to his own. Hinata sighed as she was ushered inside, her ladies flitting around the room as they readied her for bed and talked of all the handsome men they had danced with throughout the night.

Sakura pulled her nightgown over her head and tucked her into the large four-post bed at the center of the room before piling in around her.

"So how was the King, Princess? He certainly is very handsome." Tenten smiled at her suggestively as she fluffed the pillow behind Hinata's back.

Tenten was betrothed to her cousin, but insisted on staying with Hinata while she got settled into Suna court life. After they married, she would remain here, as Neji would act as liaison between the two kingdoms. Hinata would dare say she was closer to Tenten than she was to her own sister, who treated her with disdain. Just like her own father.

"He was... Kind. Distant, bu-but I supposed that's to be e-expected… And yes, he is quite, ha-handsome... I suppose..."

"Yes, but remember we are not to trust them! They could stab us in the back at any moment!" Ino whispered conspiratorially. "Princess, how are you going to go through with this?"

Hinata fisted her blankets, suddenly nervous again. "I-I... I don't know..." This place seemed warm and inviting, but much like a snake's den, held unseen danger within its walls. It was frightening being so far from home, only Neji and her ladies that she could trust implicitly. "Ugh, Ino!" Sakura scolded. "Talk like that is treasonous, you must not speak of it! I'm sure Gaara is a fine man. He will make a good husband."

Court life was the same everywhere. Back in Konoha, she and her sister received proposals daily from men wanting to climb the political ladder. They didn't want her for her. Even Gaara didn't want her for her. They wanted her money, her titles, her power. They would kill to have it all. And she didn't want anything to do with any of it.

"I'm quite tired… I wish to sleep now. Good night." Without dismissing the girls still gossiping around her, she hiked the covers up over her head and tried to shut out the world.

"Good night, Princess..." She heard one of them say as the bed shifted and they all rose to retire to their own quarters.

The candles were snuffed out, leaving Hinata alone in the darkness. She removed the blankets around her, tears threatening to spill. She missed home, even when it was unwelcoming and cold. She missed seeing Lord Naruto's sunny smile... She was never able to tell him how she felt, even if he would only ever see her as a friend, as his Princess, as someone untouchable...

Shaking away the memories of him, she moved to the window and pushed it open, peering out into the moonlit gardens that her window overlooked. A giggle caught her attention, and she watched curiously as a man pulled a woman toward the hedges, both looking behind themselves as if afraid they were to be caught. Embarrassed, she shut the window and threw herself back into bed, willing herself to sleep.

The Kingdom had spared no expense. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance to the wedding of the century. Hinata shivered through the entire ceremony despite the exorbitant amount of layers she was wearing. There were no false words of love and devotion, and Hinata felt no warmth in her heart for her new husband. The fear grew stronger. She was no longer her own. She belonged to him, body and soul.

As Gaara held her hand high, leading her out of the cathedral, her new subjects bent the knee, staring up at her with cold eyes. These people didn't trust her, and she didn't blame them for their wariness. She glanced towards her new husband, but his eyes were trained forward, never once looking at her or the crowd. They exited the building and the masses cheered, throwing rice over their heads as he helped her into their carriage. Once she was situated, he ducked in after her, sitting on the opposite side and melting into the seat. He sighed deeply.

"Thank God that's over."

Hinata hummed in agreement, but she would have the day last forever if she could. It was the night that she was dreading. Would he be gentle with her? Would he take her virtue even if she was sobbing and screaming underneath him? She was under no delusions that the King held any sort of affection for her. This was all politics. He was playing his part, just as she was. And her part was to produce his heirs. A new generation of kings that would keep the peace between their countries. She was a means to an end, nothing more. Still, she couldn't help but hope he would care.

"Hinata, when we arrive at the feast, please at least try and look happy." Hinata's eyes flew to his, but they held the same blankness as they always did. Would his eyes look like that tonight?

Hinata nodded tightly, looking back outside the window. "Ye-yes, Your Grace…"

"Please… We may not be equals, but I am not just your King. I am your husband." The word made her flinch, and Gaara must've noticed because he didn't say anything more. They waited in silence until they entered the castle gates. Another crowd was waiting, and exhausted as she was, Hinata put on a coy smile took Gaara's hand as he helped her out of their carriage.

They hurried inside and went their separate ways to change. As her ladies zipped around her, cooing at the beauty of her dress and her grace during the ceremony, Hinata fought back tears. She couldn't go through with this. He was going to take her and she would have no say in the matter. She knew it was going to hurt, not just in body but in heart. Only Tenten paused long enough to take notice of her agony, and she put down the cloth she was holding to take both of Hinata's hands in her own, pressing her forehead to hers.

"It's going to be alright, Princess. You are going to be alright." Tenten whispered, releasing the new queen's hands to wipe the tears that had started running down Hinata's cheeks. "You will go through with this. You must. But we will be right here by your side through it all. You mustn't worry."

Full sobs began to wrack Hinata's frame and she crumbled to the floor. They were asking far too much of her. Tenten followed her down, wrapping her up in her arms and shushing her as they rocked back and forth.

"I ca-can't! I'm not strong e-enough! Please don't ma-make me do this!" She was screaming now, begging but she felt no shame. She could not give herself to this man she did not love.

"You must. For our people. This is your duty." Tenten's voice was firm and unwavering, and she didn't flinch even as Hinata dug her nails into her arm, gripping onto her as if she was the only real thing in this room. The other ladies stood around them, unsure what to do as their Princess cried. "All of you, finish your tasks. Get up, Queen Hinata. Get dressed. You have no choice. Gather your senses. Later, you may rest."

Hinata sniffled, wiping her tears away as she gathered herself from the floor. Sakura and Ino were silent as they finished preparing her for the feast. Tenten patted blanched wheat flour under her eyes, hiding the redness and swelling. A knock on the door signalled the arrival of the King, and she left to go to him.

If he noticed anything different about her, Gaara said nothing. He took her hand for the fourth time that day and the doors to the banquet hall opened as the steward announced their arrival.

They sat themselves at the raised table in the front as their court dined and danced and laughed together. Gaara occupied himself in conversation with his siblings who sat on his right, barely giving Hinata a glance as she observed the party around her.

She almost didn't notice when Neji slunk into the seat beside her, breathing heavily with an uncharacteristic grin on his face.

"My Queen, my dear cousin!" He shouted, the redness of inebriation coloring his pale cheeks.

Hinata shot him a disapproving look. "Enjoying yourself, cousin?" She deadpanned.

"Ah yes, very much so!" His opalescent eyes scanned the room, his grin growing wider as he met the gaze of his betrothed. "There is much to celebrate, is there not? We are at peace, you have been married, and I am free from your father's scrutiny as long as I am here." He raised the goblet that had magically appeared in his hand. "To a new era."

Hinata watched wide eyed as he downed its contents before kissing her again and staggering towards Tenten for a dance. She sighed, raising her own glass before sipping the wine. Jubilant as Neji was, she could not share in his joy with what was to come.

Gaara leaned towards her, speaking lowly into her ear. "Lord Neji seems quite different than his usual self tonight."

Hinata flushed in embarrassment. "Ye-yes, you'll have to forgive Neji… He i-is quite pleased to be a-away from Konoha co-court."

"Hmm. Why is that?" Gaara took a strand of her hair and twirled it between his fingers. She shrunk away from his touch, but he didn't seem to mind.

"My fa-father was quite strict wi-with him, Yo-your Grace…" Her stutter grew worse, uncomfortable with his advances. "Se-seeing as he ha-had no sons of his o-own. He was ra-raised to be ma-married to me, bu-but we were u-unable to get papal di-dispensation a-a-and my fa-father saw an o-opportunity when the wa-war ended…"

Gaara didn't reply, merely narrowed his eyes in scrutiny before turning back to his own siblings and whispering to them. Temari nodded and wandered away, though Hinata soon lost track of her among the swirling dancers on the floor. Had she said something wrong? Gotten Neji into trouble? Was she unable to trust her own husband? Neji's words when they had first arrived echoed in her mind.

While each second dragged, the feast didn't seem long enough before it was time for the consummation ceremony to begin. A quick "It's time" from Tenten set her nerves afire once again and the butterflies in her stomach increased twentyfold.

Gaara swept out of the banquet hall with his brother and friends in tow, Hinata rushing along behind them. The men were boisterous and jovial, drunk on wine and celebration. Though they never spoke directly to Hinata, they clapped Gaara on the back, congratulating their King on acquiring such a fair and "well-endowed" wife. She stopped herself from crossing her arms over her chest, instead choosing to cling to Tenten's and Sakura's hands as they hurried after her. She heard Ino muttering under her breath behind her about barbarians and pricks, but she was too focused on the nausea in her stomach to reprimand her.

Once they reached the King's quarters, the men helped the King out of his frock and boots before winking lasciviously and leaving. Tenten, Ino, and Sakura undressed Hinata behind a screen, pulling her nightgown over her head and kissing her cheeks before following after their male counterparts.

When she emerged from behind the screen, Gaara had his back towards her, his shirt long removed and leaving him only in his brown trousers. Hinata blushed, refusing to look at him as she rushed past him to the large bed and climbed under the covers.

He moved to take off his pants and Hinata squeaked, sinking into the down pillows and shielding her view from him. God save her, there was no way she was going to make it through this. He would touch her and surely she would perish.

She heard the rustle of fabric as he pulled back the blankets, climbing into bed beside her. "Hinata…" His hand was warm on her shoulder as he reached for her. "Hinata, please look at me."

Though she was certain she was a brilliant shade of crimson, she turned slowly to face him, exhaling shakily when she saw he was covered, only his bare upper body in view. He leaned over to her, cupping her cheek with his hand. Hinata was growing dizzier by the second, her breath coming in quick pants as she struggled to contain her embarrassment. Gaara's lips were almost upon her own and her vision was beginning to dim.

Just as their breath mingled in the small space between them, he stopped. Sighing deeply, he pulled away and turned from her, settling into the mattress. Hinata sat up, confused. "Ga-gaara?"

He sounded weary when he responded. "Just go to sleep, Hinata."

"Bu-but the co-consummation must—"

"I will not touch you without your consent."

"Gaara! The-they will check! The blo-blood, they will lo-look and if I-I do not—"

"It has been taken care of." It was almost as if he could sense the puzzled expression on her face. "Lift up the covers and look at the sheets."

Careful not to uncover him, Hinata pulled back the blanket to see a small reddish-brown stain, bold against the whiteness of the bedspread.

"It's pig's blood." He answered to her unspoken question. "I had it prepared in advance. Next to you in the nightstand is another small bottle. Spread that on your inner thigh. Just a bit. They will check there too."

For some reason, this angered the woman. Did he doubt her ability to do her duty? Was he trying to sabotage their union? Without proper consummation, there were grounds for annulment, and he would be free to marry whoever he wished. He didn't want her, of that much she was certain. He went through all this trouble in an effort to not bed her like he was supposed to. What game was he playing at?

"Gaara, we mu-must go through with i-i-it!" She didn't want to. But a task was a task, and she would follow through.

"No."

"W-why not?" She was starting to panic.

"If we are to be joined, I want your virtue to be willingly given. When you are ready. Because if I take you now, there is no hope for us. You will hate me no matter what I do for the rest of this marriage, and I will not have a wife that despises me so."

Frankly, she was shocked. His words, his actions, here and now, contradicted the whispers that floated around her court of the Blood King of the Sand. They said his crushed enemies in his fits of rage, that he killed without remorse. He had no heart, he was cold and empty and vile.

What he was doing, here and now, was not a political move. If anyone were to discover that they did not consummate their union, the marriage would be forfeit, the peace uprooted. They could go to war again over this falsehood. Yet, he chose to respect her agency. He may not like her, but he respected her. And for all she knew, outside of these bedchambers, he could still be the same monster they spoke of. But here and now, he was a good man. For that, she was ever grateful.

Hinata dug out the tiny bottle from the drawer next to her. Pulling the cork, she smeared its contents high on her thighs, dabbing at it in a hope that it seemed believable. Settling back, she slept with a peace of mind she had not known for years.

Two or three more chapters to be uploaded this week. Thank you for reading! You know I love me some reviews. *wink*