Hey guys! Surprised to see me again so soon? Haha. Me too, believe me. I know it's only been a day, but I couldn't resist posting this today, because I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy reading it, too! I want to thank all of you that have been reviewing, it really means a lot to me. :) So, I'm done rambling for today, and here is...

The Orchid's Keeper

Main Pairing: Sasuke/Hinata

Side Parings: Onesided Neji/Hinata, Undetermined

Rating: M, just in case I get a little heavy. ;)

Summary:A dark young man spots a beautiful girl in a field alone, and decides she will be his. However, he soon finds that force may not have been the way to go about things…

Hiashi sighed, and placed his head lightly in his hands. This meeting was not going to be a very pleasant one, and he had hoped to avoid it for sometime yet. However, the recent…pressure about Hinata's marital status from the elders, was forcing Hiashi's hand much sooner than he would have liked. And now, he was going to have a very awkward conversation with his young nephew.

Hiashi straightened up, and schooled his face into the classic Hyuuga mask, making sure his white eyes were blank as well. His nephew stood in the doorway, waiting to be given permission to enter. Although the Hyuuga clan had advanced in many ways, Neji was still of a lower station, and they still had to put on the act for the benefit of the elders.

"Lord Hiashi-sama. You called for me." Neji stated, his face a perfect mask as well.

"I did. Come in, nephew, and have a seat."

He entered the room, and slid the screen shut. When he was seated, he performed the traditional bow, and Hiashi inclined his head, indicating Neji could sit up. With a back ram-rod straight, and his stoic expression, there was no doubt in Hiashi's mind that Neji would make a wonderful clan leader one day.

"Lord Hiashi-sama. The messenger said that the meeting was very urgent. May I ask what the matter is? Is there something wrong with Lady Hinata-sama?" Neji asked quickly, and Hiashi was able to detect the fleeting emotion that flashed across Neji's pale eyes at the thought of Hinata's well-being.

"No, nephew. My daughter is fine. It is you I am concerned for." Hiashi watched as Neji's forehead wrinkled slightly, before smoothing back out seamlessly.

"I'm sure you recall the meeting a week ago, when Hachiro-san brought up the subject of a marriage for my daughter," he began, and Neji stiffened very visibly. "Hachiro-san has managed to convince a few other elders that the sooner Hinata-san is married, the better. I cannot say that I agree, but as they are the Council, I am being forced to agree to at least…entertain the notion." he finished uncomfortably.

Although Neji's face and body language had not shifted, the tension in the room had increased dramatically.

"Nephew, I would have to be very incompetent to not to be able to see the feelings you hold for my daughter. I do not disapprove. You are strong, very capable of protecting her, and a marriage to you would mean she would remain in this clan, which is something that most, if not all, of our people would rejoice over." A small smirk had snaked its way onto Neji's handsome face.

"However." It disappeared just as quickly as it had come.

"Another young man, of very high clan and village standing, has made his interest in Hinata-san very…known. He is the heir to his clan, and also a very strong, capable man. He has convinced the Hokage of Konoha that a marriage would be within the best interest of the village, and she, in turn, has contacted the Council, without notifying me. Because of this, they have become convinced that this young man would be the perfect match. I can't say I disagree entirely. He is a bit...wild, and slightly…uncouth, but he is of very good standing, very powerful, and his clan used to be well known as shinobi-"

"Lord Hiashi-sama, do not tell me that this man is-"

"I mentioned him very briefly at the meeting." Hiashi interrupted, and his nephew's reaction was to be expected.

"Inuzuka Kiba." The embittered young man spat out, disgusted at the vile taste the name left in his mouth.

"Precisely."

"Again, Lady Hinata-sama. Lord Hiashi-sama will be sorely disappointed if you cannot master this art properly, as is fitting of a lady of your station." the older woman quipped, handing her young pupil the heavy, ornately decorated fan.

Hinata sighed. She had been doing this repetitive, ridiculous dance for at least an hour. Her father had decided since she was incapable of being a ninja like the rest of the family, she would become the perfect young lady, a beautiful, shiny figurehead for the Hyuuga.

Dancing classes, singing classes, painting, sewing, cooking, and even harp lessons. She was so well cultured that she could most likely single-handedly preserve the Japanese culture. She was a decent dancer, her natural grace lending her aid. Her singing voice was quite thin, and wavery, but her isntructor promised her that she was a decent soprano. Painting, sewing and the harp, however, were different stories. Her pictures weren't dreadful, they just weren't good. Her stitches were large, and sort of crooked, and she was hopeless at the harp.

Cooking was in an entire league of its own. She was truly nothing short of a chef. She supposed it had something to do with the fact that she adored cooking, because it was an art that pleased others greatly. Dancing was beautiful, and singing lovely, but the happy feelings left by perfectly prepared onigiri were much more far reaching and long lasting.

"Lady Hinata-sama! Pay attention. Ready…begin! One, two, three, one, two, three…" the woman droned, and Hinata sluggishly repeated the dance again. When she dropped the fan for what seemed the hundredth time, the dance teacher sighed sharply.

"Alright, Lady Hinata-sama. That's enough for today. I don't feel we are going to make any true progress if your wrists are as rubbery as they are anyhow. We'll meet again Thursday, and I expect your full attention."

"Hai, Maiko-san. I will do my best to improve." Hinata responded, happily handing over the ridiculous props.

"See that you do." Maiko retorted, before bowing, and leaving the room.

Hinata was thrilled to have a few hours left to herself, as everyone was expecting her lesson to last at the very least another hour more.

She loved her cousin dearly, but sometimes he was very….oppressive. Not to mention that all day long she had had the strangest urge to go back to the clearing, even though she had gathered plenty of the special plants she had needed yesterday. Something was just calling to her, and it wasn't as if it would be dangerous, anyhow.

She hurried, as silently and sneakily as possible, to get her favorite cloak from her room, before heading out toward the forest.

This time, she did not forget her basket.

He was in the forest again. He had decided to go ahead and keep true to the decision he had made the day before, in hopes that it would ease the strange feelings swirling through him regarding that girl.

He hadn't even bothered attempting to rest the previous night. He had continued to pass judgments all night and day, trying to keep himself preoccupied before his visit to the clearing. After all, he didn't even know if she would be there, and it wasn't as if he knew where she lived…except…

Something she had said the day before, in her quiet, bell-like voice.

"Neji-nii-san, I hardly wandered off. The gardens are right there!"

If her gardens were right there, surely her window would be….

Why was he even bothering thinking such things? He was a god. He could march right up to their front door, and without so much as a 'how do', could take the very girl that was causing him so much strife.

Except Sasuke Uchiha, god of the Underworld, did not 'march.'

That would just be ridiculous.

His lips twitched slightly at the thought of marching, and had he been anyone else, he probably would have laughed. As it was, a smile meant the hottest parts of the Underworld would probably freeze over. It was cold enough as it was, no need to add more ice to the mixture.

He arrived at the same spot from which he had spotted the girl yesterday, and was irritated to find that the clearing was empty, yesterday's tracks covered with fresh snow. He snarled slightly, angry that she wasn't there, and turned to leave, when he heard humming, and felt a familiar presence.

Light. Sweet. Pleasant.

Her humming wasn't that bad either. He watched her enter the clearing, still covered by that damnable fur-lined hood. Today, she had a basket in her hands, which were covered in heavy mittens, the same color as her cloak. She returned to what seemed like exactly the same spot as yesterday, and knelt on the ground. It was plain to him today that she was gathering some type of plant.

He was content to watch her like that for what seemed an eternity, but could truly only have been fifteen minutes. Sasuke wondered where the young man from yesterday was. It had been very obvious that the boy had desired this girl. However, it had not been as obvious whether or not she desired him in return. Finally, he decided to speak to her, and perhaps he would be able to see her face.

"You know, virtuous young women do not typically wander about in forests unattended. It can be very…dangerous."

She had strolled happily into her favorite meadow, humming a pretty tune her music instructor had taught her the previous week. It was something silly, about a canary being watched by a cat, until one day the cat got too close, and well….the rest was generally sort of unappealing to sweet, gentle Hinata.

She had successfully dodged two guards, but had to bribe one. Sweet little Hedeki, who was always afraid he was going to get caught letting Hinata out. However, a promise of fresh cinnamon buns had quickly silenced his meek protests, and out on her little adventure she had gone.

The forest was very quiet, and fresh snow had fallen during the night, covering everything in a beautiful white blanket. It was easy, however, to find the plants she was looking for, as they grew under only one particular type of tree. She settled down immediately beneath one, and began shifting through the snow in search of the plant. She still hummed quietly to herself, but every now and again, she would hear very faint snatches of the last few birds in the forest.

Before long, she began to feel strange.

Almost like she was being watched.

She ignored it for a while, but after just a few more minutes, the feeling became more intense, and more than a little frightening. Perhaps she shouldn't have come out without Neji after all…

Again, she tried to ignore the feeling, but it grew still heavier, making her feel more and more like a trapped bird. Finally, she had made the decision to get up and leave, when she heard it.

"You know, virtuous young women do not typically wander about in forests unattended. It can be very…dangerous."

Yay! They finally meet.

Well, almost. Haha.

Okay guys, you know what to do. Please, please, please review. Feel free to ask questions, and point out my flaws, because I know they're there!

One more thing. :) Someone asked me if it was okay to draw pictures for my story. The answer will ALWAYS be absolutely, yes! I would love nothing more than for someone to draw pictures, because I suck eggs at drawing. Other than that, thank you so much for reading, and like I said before, please review!

Also, would it be TOO awful if I posted chapter four tonight? ;)

Thanks!

Avid.