Ooh, thanks for the nice reviews and stuff. I'm having fun with this now. Hehe... read on! =P And review!!!

Chapter 2

"What are you doing here?"

Hinata's eyes grew wide. She dared herself to turn her head and look to the bed. On it sat a fully clothed form of Sasuke leaning against the headboard, his pose the zenith of relaxation.

"I...uh... I ..." Hinata's voice grew hushed and she began her century old habit of poking her two index fingers together, while teetering nervously on the spot. "I... Hanabi... and... I..." She shut up with a squeak.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, the moonlight illuminating every detail of his perfectly chiseled face. "I see... " He slipped off his bed and moved towards Hinata. "Well then, if you can't remember what you're doing here, then I suggest you leave."

He hadn't recognized her.... Hinata prayed to God he wouldn't recognize her and tell her father. "I'll leave... I'm leaving... I'll go right now." Hinata rushed by Sasuke but he rapidly turned and caught her arm.

"Wait..." He pulled her near, his eyes trying to depict who he was looking at through the darkness. "What's you name?"

Hinata's bottom lip quivered. 'He wanted her name! Oh dear Lord he was going to tell Father on her!' Hinata shook her head. "I... I must go..." She tugged on her arm, trying to free it from Sasuke's deathly grip. It didn't budge. He held it too firmly. Hinata felt like she was going to faint.

She looked down and her mouth opened with shock. Her robe was coming undone. Well actually, it was pretty much undone after her climbing feat, and now all someone had to do was turn on the light and she would be pretty much exposed in her half see-through silk nightgown. She tugged harder, trying to free herself from Sasuke's grip. "Please... I can't say. I must go... please let go...."

Sasuke shook his head, and instead dragged her over to the moonlit window holding both her arms at once. Hinata felt her heart panic. 'Oh please don't look at me... please, oh please please!'

The light flooded over her face as they stopped near the window. Every part of her body was illuminated... Hinata's eyes were wide with horror. Sasuke's face was indifferent, though she saw his lips twitch in a weird way. After landing his eyes on her, he quickly let go of her hands and looked away. "Wear something more decent next time...... Hyuuga Hinata." Hinata felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment and she struggled to tighten her robe. She felt tears pressuring her eyes as she shuffled out of Sasuke's room.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." She managed to whisper as she shut the door behind herself.

Hinata couldn't sleep that night. She lay in her bed with her robe on, her arms tightly holding herself.... it was almost as if she'd break if she let go. She cried, and cried until she felt like she had no more tears left to shed. It felt horrible, being exposed like that to someone.... It felt degrading. Hinata felt like she would never be able to hold her head high and look like a true Hyuuga as long as Sasuke was there. She sniffed as she shoved her face further into her pillow.

'Damn him..... Damn him, and damn him some more.' She was angry. Angry at herself for entering his room; Angry at him for being so cruel; Angry at the family for having her as a daughter; angry at the Branch family's because they always fought with the Head family; and angry at the World because she couldn't be different. She couldn't be like Sakura who always got the attention of Naruto. She couldn't be like Ino, who was beautiful and loved by all. She couldn't be like Hanabi who was more powerful than her. And most of all she couldn't live up to the expectations of everyone in the family.... she was a failure, a zero, a nothing.

"Ahh, yes Master Hyuuga.... I believe it would be the only way to avert war, and to make the clan stronger and much more advanced." Hinata sucked in her breath as she saw the light outside her room go on. She heard the familiar voice of her Father's advisor and then....

"Hmm.... Too bad we couldn't wait for Hanabi to grow older. I find she would be much better placed at such a thing. She is stronger than her sister you know?" Hinata bit her lip. 'That was father all right.'

"Well, yes Master Hyuuga, but you see if we do not act now we could be in a state of war with the Branch families. A reconciliation marriage with both our clans involved may be the only thing that will assuage their anger."

A slight pause before Hinata's father continued. "Yes, I see. And Hanabi is too young. Well then, it's settled, we will send word to my brother's clan about our decision. Hinata will be betrothed to my brother's son as soon as possible."

"Yes sire..."

"His name is Neji isn't it?"

"Yes sire..."

"Well then, I've heard about him. He is a great fighter, and so he will be a great father to the children of the strongest clan in Konoha. Our blood line shall flourish and our feuds shall be at an end."

"Yes sire. A great success if you ask me..."

"Hmm...."

A slight pause, "Sire shall I inform your daughter?"

Another pause. "No.... you needn't do that. I'm sure she'll understand when the time comes for her union with Neji. She isn't the type that is willing to object. And she is also to have her advanced training to start tomorrow. Now, let us go and start on our letter. Come now..."

The hallway light shut off and the faraway footsteps of her father and his advisor echoed into nothingness.

Hinata was breathing heavily. Her tears had disappeared. Her bottom lip had started to quiver but she bit it... hard. Blood leaked down from it but the young girl didn't bother to lick it away. She undid her robe and threw it to the ground beside her bed. She lay back into the soft pillows without a sound. She was too shocked to say anything.

'Neji? Was it the same Neji that had hated her... that had wanted to kill her even? Was that the Neji that she was going to be betrothed to?' Tears finally made their way into her eyes, blurring her vision. "What about Naruto-kun?" Even though Hinata knew she had no chance with him, she still hoped that maybe one day he'd notice her...

She held her head in her palms, her throbbing forehead becoming the cause of immense pain. 'My future.... its being decided for me...' Hinata shut her eyes tight. 'I get no say in this whatsoever... I have to marry Neji.... but what if... what if I don't like him? Will I be forced to? Must I? Can I not live my own life the way I want to?'

Somewhere far off a strange voice in her head answered. 'No Hinata... you must live whatever fate has been chosen for you.... do not refuse Neji... it is meant to be.'

Hinata shut her eyes. 'Or was it?' She did not know... but she would find out soon enough.

It's not that unusual that cousins are being married. I know some religions in which that is accepted. Kinda different, but neh, I think Neji ish cool.. tee hee... Plus I have a question. How many of you like reading Yaoi? I mean, I might write a new story about that.... heh, (Don't murder me!)

Oh and about Hinata's nightgown, I don't think it'd be reallllly exposing. Just enough to make her very very embarassed. Heh. Whatever. Make it however much exposing as you want in your thoughts.

Newayz R/R. (Sorry for the mistakes and stuff. Im in a rush....... Heh, exams. -faints-)

Frum,
Divya