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Chapter 49-Leaves of Snow

Hinata was a breathtaking vision as she moved silently across the platform, dressed in pure white. She moved with flawless grace, yet there was an ethereal element of agony and passion in her movements as her Japanese parasol opened, reflecting the spotlights' rays of Moon Shade and Midnight blue. As the Haunting notes of the music pierced evening air, the crowd was silent and stood in awe as Hinata performed the traditional dance known as Leaves of Snow(1).

The music's rhythm quickened and soon, Hinata was in the heat of the dance, her body thrashing and swaying from side to side as her arms waved and arced above her head with a graceful violence that left everyone spellbound. Flakes of "Snow" suddenly appeared to fall out of the sky, showering down upon the Hyuuga princess as she lost herself in the dance. Soon, the artificial flakes were mixed with leaves cut from rice paper, showering down from above and the spotlights suddenly flashed, turning the "leaves of snow" shades of vivid orange and blood red(A/N: Think "Memoirs of a Geisha, the part where Sayori performed the "Snow Dance").

The dance culminated to its finish and Hinata was on her knees—Midnight tresses falling around her shoulders and down her back—as she arched her upper body backwards at a sharp angle, until the ends of her hair pooled on the floor.

The music came to a halt and the lights flashed out; a moment of silence followed and then the crowd erupted into cheers.

At length, the people began to disperse and Hinata was backstage, changing out of her white costume and donning her original Kimono.

When she exited backstage, several of her friends were there to greet her including Kiba, Shino, Nara and Ino and even Naruto; they showered her with lavish praise, causing the ex-heiress' cheeks to turn several shades of scarlet as she murmured her thanks, smiling sweetly all the while.

"Dang, Hinata you were fantastic! I didn't know you could dance like that, I mean I knew that your clan always has a big part in the annual festivals but wow!"

"Ah, thank you, Kiba-kun; this was actually my first year—usually one of my older cousins from the Main house, performs—Taka and Chiru have the m-most experience but since my eighteenth birthday last year, well it was my turn this year."

"So every female member of the Hyuga clan must perform the Leaves of Snow dance when they turn eighteen?" Ino questioned.

Hinata bit her lip. "N-no. U-unfortunately only female members of the Main House are allowed to perform."

The atmosphere sobered momentarily.

"Hey, Hinata is that a purple Orchid you're wearing above your left ear?(2)" Tenten inquired and the group suddenly inspected Hinata's hair closely.

The pale-eyed woman turned a bright red, her fingertips touching the soft petals self-consciously. "Uh…w-well yes."

Naruto spoke next, pointing a finger at Hinata's crimson cheeks. "Oi! Hinata-chan's got a boyfriend!"

"Naruto!" Ino smacked the boy upside the head, causing him to yelp and wince in pain.

"I—N-Naruto-kun it's n-nothing r-really, I—"

"Sasuke, your bestfriend is being a nuisance!" Ino hollered and all eyes turned to see the Stoic-faced Uchiha approaching.

Hinata's breath caught in her throat and for a moment, she felt light-headed and faint.

Noticing her friend's temporary distress, Ino took her by the elbow and gave her a discreet comforting squeeze. "Steady, Hina there are eyes everywhere."

"I—y-yes, thank you, Ino-chan." After a calming deep breath, Hinata recovered and offered her friend a grateful smile. She focused on the ground before her and after a moment to collect herself, she raised her head and met Sasuke square in the eyes.

His cool expression gave nothing away but there was a flash of emotion in the depths of his eyes as he met her gaze.

His heart stirred but he held back and simply nodded at her in greeting before turning his attention back to Naruto. "Idiot, what are you up to this time?"

"Aw com'on, Teme, I just—h-hey! You! You're at a festival?!" He jabbed an accusing finger in Sasuke's face, then squinted his eyes suspiciously. "Since when?"

"Tch. Honestly Naruto, you're insufferably intrusive."

Naruto blinked at him owlishly. "Eh? What was that?"

Nara groaned and Ino and Tenten passed an exasperated look between them. "O-kay I think it's time you had some ramen, how 'bout we head to Ichiraku's hm?" The brunette weapons Mistress linked her arm with his and dragged the clueless blonde away.

Shikamaru sighed heavily. "Honestly, how the hell is he supposed to become Hokage if he doesn't even know what 'intrusive' means?" the Nara prodigy grumbled which was answered by a slight giggle from the otherwise silent Hyuuga princess.

The sound of her laughter drew Sasuke's attention and for the first time, he noticed she was wearing the purple Orchid he'd bought for her as a decoration in her hair—it also didn't go unnoticed that she'd placed it above her left ear and the Uchiha found that familiar stirring in his heart growing stronger as he looked at her.

Her navy blue kimono was incredibly flattering and as his eyes roamed over her body, he was drawn to the yellow flower pattern along the hem, end of the sleeves and over her right shoulder. The red and white Obi drew the color palette together nicely as well…

Wait.

His eyes darted back to her again.

A Navy blue kimono…with a red and white obi…?

Ino's voice broke through his thoughts before his mind could fully register Hinata's appearance and his black eyes phased back into focus.

"The food is supposed to be sinful this year!" She gushed. "I don't know about you guys but I purposely came hungry tonight so by now, I'm famished!"

"Yeah, I could eat." Shikamaru agreed.

"What about you, Hinata?"

The quiet, blushing ex-heiress nodded her head. "Mmm, yes."

"Well that settles it then!"

With that, the foursome headed towards the restaurant district, each with their own anticipation of what the night was to bring.