A/N: Well, this starts the beginning of Hinata's story. For those of you who don't know, this is the third installment of my "Love Is..." Series. The second is already completed and it is Temari's story, "Falling All Over Again." Ino's "Mission Impossible: Housewife" is the first, and is still in progress. Tenten's, is the fourth, and I've also posted it as well. Hanabi and Sakura's will be posted soon.

Right in Front of His Eyes

Chapter One

By KawaiPanda

A Naruto and Hinata Love Story

Out of kindness to Ino, Gaara-sama decided it best to host the wedding in Konahagakure. Why? Because most of the wedding party was from Konaha, and it was easier for everyone to just host the wedding here. And what a large wedding it was going to be. Already in attendence were hundreds, if not thousands of foreign ninja, all of them allied with both Konaha and Suna. It was the wedding of the century, of course. Not only was it a political wedding, but it was a Kage's wedding at that.

And I was a bridesmaid.

We all wore different style dresses, but they were of the same color (silver) and length (short/tea). Temari wore a tight satin dress with a ruched sash at the waist with a obi bow, only it was following the height of the dress rather than the width. Tenten wore a one shoulder chiffon dress with a a layered skirt. Sakura donned a charmeuse dress with a knot detail clinching the fabric at her waist, though more to the left side. I myself wore a high necked halter satin dress with a flower detail at the collar.

Ino's wedding dress was western style, the top a corset. Strapless, and above the small bow just under her breasts, the fabric was pleated. And a strategic gap was placed in the very middle of the pleats, though lace covered her cleavage. It also had a full, asymmetrical layered skirt. The effect was very beautiful.

All five of us wore loose buns, though Tenten, of course wore two.

For the wedding bouquets, we bridesmaids carried mini replicas of Ino's cascading Calla Lily bouquet. The men wore a single Calla Lily in their pockets.

Their was an abundance of activity behind the closed doors of Ino's dressing rooms. Not only was she making last minute fixes to her appearance, but so were other girls as well. Thankfully, I was already completely ready to walk down the isle.

I could help but giggle when someone cursed at a curling iron, or they scowled at non co-operative hair.

"Hurry up in there!" Came the voice of my escort. Gaara-sama's brother, Kankuro.

"Shut up Kankuro! We're moving as fast as we can! Sheesh." Temari's retort was harsh. She was one of the last one's finishing up. Tenten was already out in the hall on Neji's arm.

I stood up from my seat. "I'll be out in the hall, guys."

"See you in a few Hina." Sakura acknowledged from her spot in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I twisted the knob of the door and yanked it open. Naruto was out there, And he would see me. In a dress. My arms and legs bare.

Blushing, I stepped out of the room, shutting the door closed behind me.

There was a low whistle from Kankuro. He wasn't wearing his usual facepaint and looked very handsome. "You look beautiful. I'm the luckiest man here, other than my little brother of course." But he wasn't Naruto. And while a bit disappointed, I thanked him for the compliment.

"T-Thank you Kankuro-sama." I took the arm he offered me and we moved towards the door, awaiting the others. It wasn't too much longer that the others came out of the room.

Naruto nearly squealed in delight when Sakura came out, and I guess Kankuro could tell how upset I was, that he leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, at the reception, I'll help you make blondie jealous."

I can't remember a time in my life that I've ever been as red as I became at his comment. "K-Kankuro-sama!"

"Are we ready guys?" Sakura asked everyone from right in front of us. At the chorus' of 'yes', she nodded and walked down the hall, us and everyone else hot on her heels. She took a deep breath, squeezed Naruto's arm for him to behave, and turned, starting down into the isle. When Kankuro and I reached the spot just before we were to walk down the isle, he squeezed my hand for my much needed reassurance and off we went. Instantly, I felt the eyes on me and my chest felt as if it was being restricted. But I had to keep moving.

After what felt like an eternity, we reached the alter and split apart, Kankuro heading to stand beside Naruto, and I went to Sakura's side. We were followed by Tenten and Neji, and then Temari and Shikamaru.

And seconds later, Ino was turning into the isle, placing her arm in her fathers as he walked her to her groom, and the music changed. The guests stood, and Gaara's eyes narrowed in on his bride.

She looked so beautiful and elegant, pacing herself as she glid down the isle. I was jealous for a split second. And then she was at the alter, handing her bouquet to Sakura. Tsunade was the minister, joining them together in the forced union.

When it was all over, and their vows were spoken, they shared a brief and hesitant kiss to seal the marriage.

Everyone clapped for the now wedded couple, myself included.

And then it was over. And everyone was headed over to the reception. Kankuro-sama took it upon himself to escort me as a date since I had none, and neither did he. The cake was enormous, white with silver and red flowers drapped down the side.

We found our seats at the main table, and sat down, servers placing plates of food in front of us.

After several people toasting the couple, including Naruto and my own escort, there was dancing. Kankuro-sama wisked me onto the dance floor despite my protests, and I eventually found myself having a ball as he twirled me around the reception hall.

Kiba and Shino both were able to snatch me away from my date for their own dances, but I drifted back to Kankuro-sama. After all, it was my duty as his date to dance with the man. And he was so much fun!

It was just our fifth dance, beginning to turn into our sixth, that the music had turned into a slow rhythm. It was when he was moving to put his arms around my waist that someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"I'd like to step in and dance with Hinata," came Naruto's voice. Instantly I stiffened, and felt a blush rise to my cheeks. I had been doing just fine, and I wished with all my heart I would be able to calm my rapidly beating heart before it burst from my chest.

"Sure," Kankuro replied easily, slipping away as the man that haunted my dreams slipped into his place.

"Hey there Hinata-chan." He gave me a small smile, looking so handsome in his outfit. As his hands slid into place, both at my waist, my hands on his shoulders, I felt an overwhelming urge to faint.

"N-Naruto-kun."

"I need to ask you something Hinata-chan."

I swallowed hard, my mind going crazy wild with possiblities for what he might ask me. Nodding with, what I'm sure, was too much excitement, I replied, "S-sure. Anything."

"I was wondering..." His smile was bright and full of charm. I was completely under his spell. "I was wondering, when Baa-can names me as Hokage, would you come to work for me?"

And like that, reality came crashing down around my ears. I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe Naruto finally acknowledging my feelings, or something along those lines. But I was not expecting him to ask me to be his secretary.

"W-what?"

He smiled. "I hope it wouldn't be too much of a bother. I heard from Baa-chan about how helpful you've been when Shizune-neechan was sick or something, and I figured I'd ask if you'd work for me when I go into office."

Somewhere, deep inside the recesses of my mind, a screech of protest broke through the haze that had engulfed me. I wanted so very much to say yes, because any time with Naruto meant the world to me... but I was slowly getting fed up with this. I wanted to know how he felt about me. I wanted to hear him tell me that it wasn't going to happen, that my aspirations of being by his side were childish.

"I-I..." At the hopeful look he was throwing me, I couldn't help but give in. I mean, how could I honestly say no when there was still a possibility that he might open up his eyes and see my feelings—finally see me? I nodded. "S-sure Naruto-kun."

"Great!" And then the song ended and his hands dropped, the butterflies they'd been causing were still running rampant.

I couldn't allow him to see my pain. But then, he couldn't really see anything other than Sakura.

He left me almost immediately afterwards, off to find his "Sakura-Chan" and I was all alone. I knew my date had left the reception because he was no where in sight. Maybe he thought that the plan worked. So, after a quick and polite "goodbye" to Ino and Gaara-sama, I left, shuffling as fast as I could to my home.

"Hinata," I was greeted.

Bowing my head, I replied in kind. "Father." And then I scurried off to my room to cry in private.