Hinata stood in her white kimono waiting for the ceremonial procession to start. Her hands were tightly gripping each other as she stared blankly ahead. This was going to be it. Her wedding day.

She had seen Sasuke only a few times after their talk in the teahouse. He was always cordial, but also reserved. She could not complain; she was more or less the same.

Glancing at her father, she allowed a small smile to escape. He looked well. His long black hair was intertwined with sparking white hair and flowed freely behind him. He stood gaily talking to one of the Elders, she was too far away to hear what exactly about. His face gained a healthy color over the last few weeks and he radiated strength. She was glad.

"Oye Onee-chan, daijobu?" Hanabi asked as she fretted with the traditional wedding hood. Her sister's lack of emotional response to the wedding worried her. It was no secret this was not a love marriage, but she expected some response besides general apathy. The only person excited by this wedding was her father.

"Hai, Hanabi," breathed Hinata as she smiled softy at her sister and walked towards the door.

Hanabi nodded and remained quiet. There was nothing she could do even if she wanted. She didn't have an aversion to Hinata marrying Sasuke. She barely knew him. She had an aversion to her sister being forced to marry.

Hiashi walked towards his eldest daughter. His face beamed with pride as he joined her side. She looked beautiful. He was proud of how she was handling herself. While she may not understand that this was for her best, but she will.


It was late and the wedding reception was almost over.

Sasuke tried not to notice the slight swaying of his wife beside him, but it was proving to be a bit difficult.

Hinata felt a bit peaked. Her face felt flushed and she could feel herself perspiring beneath her heavy kimono. She has not eaten all day and perhaps that and the ceremonial sake was now getting to her. Turning to one of the servers to her left, she asked for some water. Holding the goblet she was handed, she gingerly sipped the cool liquid.

Sasuke looked down at his wife, her hand had a fine tremor as she sipped the clear liquid.

"Eat some of this," Sasuke pushed his tankard of food toward her and placed a firm hand at the small of her back. His brows furrowed as he could feel the dampness of her skin through her clothes.

Hinata stared at the pile of food in front her, nothing looked appetizing. She idly picked up a grape and bit into it, she knew she needed to eat something. She closed her eyes as she popped another grape in her mouth and slowly allowed the juices to escape onto her tongue. Grape after grape, she continued to slowly eat the purple fruit, feeling herself get a little bit better.

She could feel the warmth radiating from his hand, it pierced through her kimono straight to her skin. She leaned back into it, she was chilled now that her body was cooling down.

Sasuke felt a shiver run through her body and he turned towards her. Her face was less flushed but she looked exhausted. He caught the eyes of Hiashi. Hiashi stared at his daughter for a few moments and then subtlety motioned for one of the maids.

She could feel gentle but firm hands holding her elbows and urging her to stand up. She opened her eyes and saw two maids flocking her side.

"Hinata- sama come with us," whispered one of maids gently into her ear.

Hinata looked towards her husband and saw him quietly observing her without any expression. She stood, feeling his hand fall down and slowly bowed to him and her guests.

Sasuke pulled his food back towards him and chewed on some sushi as his eyes followed his wife walking away. He felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced up to see Nara.

"How's she doing?" drawled Shikamaru as he sat down in Hinata's chair and watched her leave as well.

"Not well," murmured Sasuke as he stared off to where she had disappeared.

"And you?"

Sasuke didn't reply as he solemnly continued chewing.


Hinata let out a breath of relief as she sat on her bed. Cool air circled around her room from the open window. She allowed the maids to pull the ties and remove her from the confines of the kimono. She now wore a white satin sleeping dress with a thin white sweater over it. She was happy to be out from the curious and invading eyes of the wedding guests.

They had brought her another tray of food and water, which she gladly partook from. Nibbling on an onigiri, she leaned back on her headboard and closed her eyes. She could feel her lids getting heavy and placed the last morsel of rice in her mouth, chewing slowly. Hinata curled up her feet and encircled her torso with her arms, allowing sleep to overtake her.

Thirty minutes later, Sasuke found her with her head bent at an odd angle, sleeping against the bed head. The steel tray laid next to her on the bed. He gently moved the tray to the nightstand and walked over to her. He stared at her a little while, not sure how to move her without waking her up.

Bending down, he slid an arm under her legs and cradled her upper body against his torso as he shifted her body down towards the bed. He paused as she moved into his chest and incoherently murmured. He remained frozen for a few seconds until he was sure she had settled down. Placing her gently on the pillow, he carefully extricated himself from her body.

Sighing, he walked over the vacant side of the bed and sat down. He was tired. Laying down, facing away from his new wife, he pulled on the lamp chain and allowed darkness to envelop the room.


Her eyes were blurry and unadjusted as she awoke near dawn. Yawning, she stretched her torso and paused when her outstretched elbow came into contact with a hard object. Bleary eyed, she turned towards the offending object and locked eyes with onyx pupils. Her heart jumped, but her kunoichi training allowed her to remain visibly calm.

Sasuke felt the shift in the bed and had awoken instantly. He peered around the unfamiliar room, taking in his bearings, noting this was not his home. He felt a sharp jap on his back and swiveled his head around instantly, reaching his hand under this pillow for the hidden kunai. He paused as he met the opal eyes of his wife.

The stare lasted for a minute as they silently observed each other. She broke the gaze first, glancing away. He watched as she sat up in bed, with her feet touching the floor and her back straight as a rod.

"Gomen."

He said nothing as she walked towards the adjoining bathroom. Once he heard the lock, he turned around and closed his eyes.

Hinata sat on the closed toilet lid and stared at the locked door in front of her.

This was odd.