Author's Note: So I'm still working my way through understanding the site more. I think I'm starting to get the hang of things. Anyway, I'm not sure how often I'll be updating. It will probably depend on how much feedback I get. I don't really want to put a bunch of work into something I'm not really sure is good or not. Don't be afraid of the review button! I definitely could use the input. Ciao!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter Two: Proposal Accepted

Two weeks had passed since then. Her father had kept her busy inside the entire time. She was either practicing her piano or practicing her taijutsu. She wasn't particularly talented in either one. Although, she had to admit, she was much better at the piano than her combat skills. She had never been a strong child. She had had fevers often. Taijutsu was such a natural thing for Hyuuga's to master that Hinata had always been frowned upon for her lack of skill.

Not that she didn't try. She spent many hours, of her own accord, practicing. If it wasn't good enough, she'd practice more. The Hyuuga were expectant people. It was not enough for a princess to be lady like and gentle. It was expected of all of everyone to master taijutsu. Most people even continued to pursue their combat skills. While they consisted of mostly men, there were many Hyuuga who were quite practiced in the art of wielding a sword.

Hinata let a sigh escape her lips. She had been practicing for nearly two hours, and to say that she was fatigued would be an understatement. She had been practicing with a vigor unbeknownst to the Main Family. They knew she had been practicing, but they overlooked the amount of time she had put forth into pleasing them. The one who was most oblivious was her father. He never took her training seriously. In his eyes, she was merely straining to be mediocre. She was a disgrace of a princess.

Panting, Hinata sat down on one of the stone benches in the Main Family training ground. To avoid a scuffle between a Main Family member and a Branch Family member, the training grounds were separated. She took a sip from her water pouch, wetting the dry skin of her throat.

"Lady Hinata."

Her head snapped around at the call. Lavender eyes met icy, silver ones. He bowed his head ever so slightly, his long, brown locks of hair falling to frame his stoic features.

"Neji." She greeted, wearily. She should have known that it was him. If not by his deep voice, then by the way he had addressed her. His impassive voice, in all it's stoicism, wavered slightly as he spat out the honorific added to her name. It was no secret he resented her status. He was much stronger than she. He deserved her title as nobility.

Neji glanced at the sweat on her pale brow. His eyes lingered there, but his gaze eventually swept over the small training ground. It was evident that someone had been practicing.

"Lord Hiashi would like to speak with you." He stated. He wasn't necessarily being cold towards her, but Hinata had but to look in her cousins eyes to know that he didn't particularly like her. Not since the day of his father's death. She involuntarily shuddered at the memory.

Neji, mistaking her reaction for fear of the impending lecture her father would most likely give her, raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Thank you, Neji. You're dismissed." She stated kindly. In truth, she was slightly afraid of what her father had to say. As she arose from her seat on the bench, she reflected on the things that she had done in the past few weeks. She couldn't think of anything that she could've done to call for a lecture. Avoiding her cousin's gaze, she trudged up the steps tiredly, opening the door to the main hall.

Neji was still rooted to his spot on the stone steps. He looked to where the princess had been sitting. It had not escaped his mind that Hinata had been training harder than usual. No doubt to gain respect from the Elders and her father. From him even. His opinion of her really shouldn't matter. The markings engraved above his silver eyes has proven that. Still, though, she reached for any sliver of respect and acceptance with trembling hands.

His brow furrowed at what was to come.

"You called for me, father?" Hinata asked quietly after sliding the door closed behind her. Restless fingers tugged at deep blue strands of hair as she awaited her father's reply. Questioning the thick silence, she looked up at her father.

He seemed to be mulling over the words he was about to say. In fact, he was. He had not yet found an efficient way of telling his daughter that he had found her a suitor of high ranking.

"There will be a gala tomorrow evening. You must attend looking nothing less than royalty." He said sternly.

Hinata blinked. There were often galas that she was forced to attend. It would be odd if the princess and future heir of the throne failed to show at such a festivity. It seemed strange that her father felt the need to inform her so suddenly and enforce his wish for her to attend. She attended all of the galas.

"A man by the name of Gaara from the province of Sabaku will be attending as well. He has accepted my proposal, and you are to be married within the year."

Thoughts scrambled and clashed in a blur of confusion. Her knees trembled as the realization of what her father said hit her. She struggled to breathe for a few moments. Of course, she knew that she couldn't remain untouched forever, but the thought of marrying so soon had never crossed her mind. She was a hopeless romantic, and the the thought of marrying someone, a stranger, that held no love for her, saddened her.

"U-understood." She stammered numbly. Her feet moved sluggishly, weighted like her spirits.

Closing the door behind her, she made for the garden. It seemingly took a lifetime for her to reach it's gates. Several guards had regarded her grief stricken features with curiosity. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she sat on the swinging bench near the lilacs. Normally, when she had time to herself (which was very seldom), she would read or relish an afternoon snack on the bench. It was a rarity of sorts, to be at such peace.

She gazed into the fountain some feet in front of her. The water trickled out of the spout and over the assorted rocks. She swiped at her tears. She wouldn't let them fall as the fountain portrayed. Not until she was in the solace of her own room. While she looked to be alone in her somber state, she knew that there were at least a handful of armed guards in her presence. She hated crying in front of other people. It showed weakness.

A sob caught in her throat. She swallowed it with determination. What if he lacks a kind heart? She was frightened at the thought. She would be stuck in a loveless marriage in which her only purpose would be to produce. No. There was no need to worry of such things yet. And either way, the finality in her father's voice had already told her the decision had been made. She would marry and serve her kingdom in producing a future king or queen. There was no arguing the fate that she was born with.

It was undoubtedly hard for the Branch Family because of their obligation to serve under the Main Family. Still, Hinata wondered how different her life would be if her father had been born secondly. Neji would be prince. He'd be able to show his talents and grow to be a fine king. Hinata would be able to choose, freely, who she wished to marry.

It seemed no one could escape the iron clutches of fate.

Author's Note: So, really, what do you guys think?