Hinata

I sat, my hands open resting on my knees, quietly on my bed. After this afternoon's whirlwind engagement and the subsequent talk with my father, I felt like I may never be able to find peace again. I felt my hands fisting and then forced them to release before I crawled off the bed, desperate to center my mind.

As calmly as I could, though the light was fading, I opened my curtain to reveal the garden my mother had started when she became pregnant with the confused and frustrated girl that was staring out at it. A deep breath and deliberate tap of neat ankles, I spread my toes, lifting the ball of my foot slowly from front to back. Just the beginning of the pose brought a small measure of relief. Carefully, I tightened my thighs, and thought only about my kneecaps rising, my stomach smooth in a world where nothing seems to want to be still.

A long slow breath blew past my lips, and I continued the exercise, imagining my chakra running from my feet though my core. I was so focused, I didn't hear the hesitant slide of the door, or witness my little sister's eyes widen in what, charitably, you'd call surprise. For the moment, I was successfully thinking about just my body. Breathing quietly, lengthening the tailbone, and lifting my hips slightly. My shoulders moved, releasing the hidden tension, in and out.

"Hinata?" Hanabi started very quietly, and I started a bit but murmured an acknowledgement. I didn't stop, though, lifting my upper rib cage and straining to keep my sternum pointed high. Hanabi dropped gracefully to the floor, and watched me do yoga.

"Did you need something, Hanabi?" I whispered, "I could use some privacy."

My sister opened her mouth and closed it again before blurting out, "They can't do this to you!"

I corrected my posture, balancing my head just so and then allowed my eyes to go unfocused. Those soul crushing thoughts tried to return, especially with my sister's presence invading my space, but I answered calmly, "I agreed to it, nee-chan." I counted to thirty, allowing my sister to fume silently. With a rueful shake of my head, I dropped the pose altogether, and settled near her on the floor, "Father must have told you." I didn't need the answering nod, "Would you see me married to someone else?"

"Then that pervy old man?" Hanabi frowned, "You're in love."

I chuffed, I had not known that my sister cared anything for love. "I know, and so does he..." I paused, "I think Naruto-kun must have asked him. Nothing else makes sense." In fact, if I had to pin down exactly why I was uneasy, that was it. "It's terrible, and I feel a little like a... package. Maybe that's not the exact right word, but like I've been handed from one man to another." I shook my head, tears once again glistening on my lashes, "Whatever the words, it feels awful."

Hanabi scooted closer, "I'm so sorry, Hinata. Especially since..." she swallowed the sudden lump in her throat, "You shouldn't have to be married!"

"I will probably have to tell him tomorrow."

"He doesn't have to know." Her sudden earnestness was accompanied by a mischievous glint in her eyes, "The clan would understand, and once this mess is cleared up..."

I interrupted, throwing my arms around Hanabi in a tight hug, "Now, more than ever, I want to uphold the clan. I know it'll be a hard road and maybe I'll regret saying that later. Unless father said something to you?" I leaned back, and let my eyes stare into my sister's. They reminded me so strongly of Neji's that I felt a swell of happiness despite everything.

"I haven't been named heir, sister." The reproach was in her voice, but this was an old tug of war. I nodded and the other girl continued, "But I know father will let you get divorced!" She'd cut straight to the quick. She was a smart girl.

Even so, I shook my head negatively, "I will not be the first to break the rules. If I am to become the clan leader we need, then I will not violate our most dear precepts right off the top. I am saving up to cast away the cursed seal. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I may need the cachet associated with taking a marriage that I did not look for."

"You're being stubborn," Hanabi pecked my cheek before rising to her feet. "I think you're right, though. Like usual. Will you eat with us?"

"Of course," I smiled. I rose as well, I had more to do this day than to wallow in misery. I had plans to make.

Kakashi

I sat heavily at the desk I was assigned in the ministry. Kami, how I hate it here now. I have had the most miserable day imaginable, what with crazy hokages and even crazier team mates and the like. But, it seems some of the misery had a purpose. After spending maybe a total of a half-hour at the Hyuga compound I went home and cleaned my apartment. Which gave me plenty of time to think. It wasn't seven yet, but I had a lot of work to do.

First, I pulled free a sheaf of paper and my good pen. I would have Hana type them up after the meeting, and the motion of writing instead of banging away on a typewriter would help me to consider my words more carefully. So, I wrote plans for the biggest wedding in Konoha's history.

I wrote out the ideas I'd come up with, like giving my men three days to locate and collate all family lists for eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Time the men and women of Konoha would need to ask their significant other to marry, or to find a significant other and turn in their names and subsequently remove those names from the pot. Leaving three days for matches to be made and those assignments to be released. And a remaining one to actually put the ceremony together.

By the time I'd finished and walked out for a bite it was nearly time. I ate as I navigated back to that damned desk and room full of men who I wouldn't trust with the care and keeping of my cactus, not to mention the well-being of the best place on this earth. When I swung the door open, they were there. Each of them with manila folders stuffed with what I assumed were family lists, tape recorders and the like. They certainly seemed ready to tear into this new hell presented by the Hokage.

We wrangled the ideas I had and theirs into something that resembled order. It took a depressingly short amount of time. It should have taken longer to drench the Will of Fire. When the last man strolled out, I sat back, putting my feet up on the desk. I let the silence gather while I thought about Hinata.

This whole thing was crazy. That included my actual proposal. What had I been thinking; busting that out after a three minute talk? At the very least, I should give her the chance to turn me down. I sliced my finger on the edge of the summoning scroll and called Pakkun to me.

The pug sniffed as he surveyed the room, "Kakashi."

I folded a slip of paper, and slipped it under his headband, "I need you to take this to Hyuga Hinata." The dog cocked his head, "Wait for her answer, then I'll treat you to Hana's stash of deer sausage."

AN/ Sorry! Very short!