A/N: Hey guys, it's time for a weekly update :) I'm really glad that the last two chapters went over well with everyone, and you liked inexperienced Sasuke; to be honest I was somewhat worried about posting that chapter haha. But you guys are really the best; I always look forward to reading your reviews and it makes me smile that you guys are enjoying this story! This is a short chapter, I will admit, and a majority of it is a flashback. But some other characters are going to be introduced! Please leave a review, add to your favorites, follow this story, and share it with your friends! 3
A month ago Hyuuga Hinata had become Uchiha Hinata. She married the second son of Uchiha Fugaku, one of the two top contenders for the prize that was ruling the entirety of the Land of Fire. She had not seen her family in a month; her mother had barely just written Hinata. But aside from her marriage and her first time having sex, the month had been uneventful for Hinata.
Her relationship with Sasuke was progressing somewhat slowly. He had not been as tender as he had been their first night together. As if he was afraid of that side of himself, Sasuke had been cold and distant ever since. Truthfully it had hurt his wife's feelings, but she did not let him know. Hinata knew that there was a possibility her relationship with her husband would be nothing but duty-filled; it was beginning to appear this way for her marriage to Sasuke.
The two newlyweds had not had sex since the night of their marriage. Part of Hinata was grateful while the other part did not understand. Did her husband find her repulsive? Was their first time truly so terrible? What had Hinata done in order to drive away her husband from touching her?
Hinata was strolling through the gardens, admiring the budding cherry blossoms. This time of year was her favorite; she loved seeing the light pink buds beginning to bloom. Something about them brought Hinata comfort. She was an avid gardener, and the spring time was when most of her plants, herbs, and flowers began to bloom. Mikoto had picked up on this and gave Hinata a portion of her own gardens. She was checking on herbs she had planted not too long ago.
Ever since she was younger Hinata had been taught to excel in all things lady like. This meant knowing the histories of her family and the other noble clans as well as knowing how to play the flute, how to manage a household, and how to properly honor one's husband and father. Gardening was also seen as a feminine art, which is why Hiashi had allowed his eldest daughter to dedicate so much time to it. When she was nine years old, Hinata was sent to the Lady Tsunade's home in order to be a lady-in-waiting, a common practice among the high-ranking samurai families. It was in the service of Lady Tsunade that Hinata began learning about poisons.
Tsunade had been a strange woman with very liberal ideals. She was not married and drank more than a man. She was brash, blunt, and forceful, traits that were not associated with being ladylike. While in her service, Hinata doubted she would learn anything from this odd woman and wondered why her mother had ever chosen Lady Tsunade. In Hinata's eyes, the ash-blonde woman didn't know anything about honor or duty.
Kneeling in the Uchiha garden, attending her herbs, Hinata was reminded of the fateful day in which Tsunade began instructing her about poisons.
Kneeling down in the dirt, Hinata examined a strange herb. She had never seen anything like it before and the sapphire berries clinging to the plant looked delicious. As the young girl was about to put one in her mouth, a strong pressure on her wrist stopped the berries from entering Hinata's mouth. Looking up into amber eyes, Hinata saw the liquid rage burning in her master's features; Tsunade was snarling at the girl.
"What do you think you're doing?!" yelled Tsunade. As fast as lightning, Tsunade's free hand snatched the berries and threw them away before she roughly let Hinata go. The middle-aged woman towered above the young girl cowering in the dirt.
"I-I-I-I was just g-g-going to eat a f-few berries, Tsunade-s-sama," the young girl explained. Moisture was forming in her eyes, making the visible world fuzzy.
"Tch. Stupid girl. Do you not know what type of berries those were?" asked Tsunade; her voice was much quieter this time though the forcefulness of a raging storm was still there. Hinata shook her head.
Sighing, Tsunade offered the startled girl a hand before she spoke. "Those were katsuyu berries. They're incredibly poisonous; if you had ate them you would be dead right now."
Hinata's eyes grew wide as the knowledge of her escape from death hit her. Tears began falling down her cheeks, her body involuntarily shaking.
Unexpectedly, Tsunade bent down and hugged the scared little girl.
"For a girl who loves gardening so much, you surely don't know anything about the ones that are dangerous. Say Hinata-chan, would you like me to teach you?" Tsunade pulled the young crying Hyuuga girl back so that she could look into her opal eyes; the woman even offered one of her rare smiles.
"B-b-but that's not a l-l-lady's duty," was the reply that came from the scared child.
Smirking, Tsunade stood up and towered over Hinata again. The young girl secretly wished that one day she would be able to stand like her master, strong and proud and tall as she faced the sun. Placing her hand on Hinata's blue-black hair and ruffling it, Tsunade winked at the girl.
"Gardening is a ladylike activity, is it not? It just so happens that poisons come from herbs that one gardens. Poison is often said to be a woman's weapon; perhaps it is. You should learn everything you can about poisons Hinata-chan, and I will gladly teach you."
Another voice piqued up from behind Hinata. "Women need to be strong in order to survive."
"Hmph. That's right, Sakura," said Tsunade.
Looking at the little girl with light pink hair and sea foam eyes, Hinata blushed. Haruno Sakura was a girl a few months older than Hinata who was also in the service of Lady Tsunade. Hinata thought that Sakura was a strange girl because of her odd temper and her knowledge of hand-to-hand combat. Despite that, Hinata formed a very precious bond with Sakura. If learning about poisons was something Sakura approved of, then Hinata would learn it.
"I want to be strong," whispered the Hyuuga girl.
"Then let's learn everything we can from Tsunade-sama! Shanaro!" exclaimed Sakura excitedly, winking at Hinata.
Hinata had brought some of her herbs with her back to her private chambers. In the living area she had set up some of her things. The young woman immediately set to work, wanting this gift to be ready for Sasuke when he got back from his meeting. Earlier in the day he had been summoned to attend a war council. Hinata knew that Sasuke had been forbidden from fighting, but now that he was married there was a high possibility that Fugaku would allow his youngest son to join the battlefront.
Though she did not doubt her husband's skill—he practiced every day and Hinata saw how proficient he was with his katana—Hinata stilled worried. She had not known Sasuke long enough to develop love for him, but the anger she felt upon news of her engagement to him was slowly beginning to fade.
Hinata hoped that the poison she was making for Sasuke's katana would be well received.
A/N: Hey guys! So just wanted to make the announcement that I am working on a companion story to this one, with the main character and the main focus being on Haruno Sakura! I will post a the first chapter later tonight when I get home, so please look forward to it! 3
