Disclaim: Naruto is not and never will be owned by this Kisa-chan. I no. Sad isn't it?

Are You Happy?

"Are you happy?"

For the past four months the figure had secreted into the darkness of her room to ask this of her. Normally she would've lied, giving a fake smile and a shy "Yes.", but there was no deceiving this imposing figure. Therefore her answer was always the same. She lay back down in her bed and said "No... but I will survive." The figure would nod and disappear. She'd fall asleep soon after. When she awoke there was always a rose who's beauty easily matched and defeated that of the previous one. There was always a small card that read:

"May this rose bring you a small light of

happiness, yet never outshine your beauty."

Until next time, my Lavender Rose,

-Silent Yearning

And it did. She carried it on her person somewhere until it inevitably died. People began to wonder at Hinata's sudden affinity for roses but for once, Hinata Hyuuga didn't care. She would not give up the one thing that made her happy. Her heart was quickly becoming enraptured with this mystery man.

Tsunade had called for Hinata, asking that she come immediately. Hinata was genuinely confused. What would the fifth Hokage need with the "useless" Hyuuga clan heiress? After finally getting her father to allow her to go after she finished his "important" errand, Hinata speedily made her way to the Hokage tower and up to Tsunade's office.

Tsunade began hesitantly. "I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just gonna tell you..." Hinata started to worry. "You have been chosen by Sabaku no Gaara as his wife." Hinata gasped and her eyes widened. She stared for a moment, trying to rationalize in her head and failing miserably.

"B-but how c-could he have c-chosen m-me? H-he's only ever s-seen me o-once! A-and why w-would he c-chose m-me?!" Hinata stuttered out. Tsunade shrugged sadly.

"I don't know what's going on Hinata but the Kazekage sent a message saying that we either give you to him as a wife or the alliance would be broken. I'm sorry Hinata, but we can't afford to lose our greatest ally." Hinata stared at her, slowly lowered her head in defeat, and nodded slowly. "You can go now." Hinata got up to forlornly leave the room when Tsunade's voice stopped her. "Hinata. Really, I'm sorry" Hinata did not turn around, but nodded once more and left.

Hinata went home and informed her father first then went up to her room. She lay down on the bed, her face still in the emotionless mask she'd just managed to conjure up. Slowly, she lay back staring at her ceiling. A sob escaped her lips. Then another. And another. Until the best she could do was stay as quiet as possible.

Neji stood outside her door after learning the news from her father. He was going to tell her that she should be proud of herself for finally doing something that would not cast shame on the Hyuuga name, but for the first time, her tears gave him pause. He put his back to the door, emotionless mask ever in place, and listened to the not-so-quiet sobs of his cousin, his frozen heart beginning to ache.

Temari sighed, for the millionth time, at the stupidity of men. She had never expected her youngest brother to do something so stupid. She had known of his love for the Hyuuga girl for three months. As far as she knew he hadn't done anything about it yet, so this sudden demand for a wife surprised her. Her brother always surprised her and always got what he wanted, but this was a bit much. She knew she should have been nosy and given him advice but she'd restrained because she didn't think he'd take kindly to her prying.

She should've known he'd do something crazy eventually, but should'nt it be obvious that taking the girl away from her friends and family would not help her opinion of him? Temari sighed and shook her head once more "Men". Kankuro burst In at that moment. "Kankuro! How many times do I have to tell you not to burst into a girl's room?!", she screamed as she slapped the back of his head.

"Hey, Temari, Gaara needs you." Temari got up and walked out with her brother, once again sighing and shaking her head at the stupidity of men.