Chapter Sechs

Beyond the gravelled path,

On the right of the uneven concrete,

The sunlight sets the mood.

Endless body of people brushing pass,

The cultural norm of minding one's own business.

The breeze strolls by,

I yawn and stretch on the green lawn,

My palm opens to catch a single petal.

Looking around, the sky is raining purple,

The path gets covered again.

It's that time of the year,

When the Jacaranda is in bloom.

A touch of colour to bring me

To my new life

Beyond the harsh reality of life, I believe that there is more to it than what we sometimes give credit for it to be. Sometimes we just need to maintain that belief and perhaps, after the storm, we'll see a rainbow.

The couple have been interacting but they resembled no more than the public's darlings, painting the portrait of perfection and politeness. He, being the former most eligible bachelor whose face was regularly plastered on magazines and she - the model female of our gracious society.

Tonight our story takes us to the illustrious wedding ball held at one of mansions owned by the Uchihas. This is the fruit of many people's labour for the union of the century.

And if it weren't for what we know of our protagonist's inner thoughts, I would say that tonight's event with all its glitz and glamour, resembled nothing less than what the media would say "a fairytale."

The mansion with its magnificent view of the sea was a place bursting with human population. All the well-known figures were there save for the media who were splendidly kept out thanks to the tight security. The people mingled amongst the glitter of the chandelier, live foreign import band, and of course the satin touch of drapes and cloths that dressed the massive ballroom.

The clock struck eight.

One servant stepped out at the top of the stairs. Inhaling, he announced for the appearance of the bride and groom. All attention focused on the handsome couple. Itachi led the way dressed in a three-quartered length, pin-striped black tux with matching buttoned-up vest, and a silver satin tie to complement the crisp shirt beneath. His hair was in its trademark manner that lent to the overall picture of dashing masculinity. Many hearts skipped a beat as he and his bride made their way down the carpeted stairs.

Hyuuga Hinata, oh pardon me, I meant Uchiha Hinata wore a Vera Wang creation of clean trimmings and seamless flattery that befitted her svelte figure. The modified mermaid gown of satin sheen seemed to float about the woman who wore a brilliant smile. Her hair was pulled back neatly with a few lavender orchids that sat at the back with the gathered ends; her elegance finished off with single pearl studs and a long string of pearls that was playfully swirled around her long slender neck. Of course, no eye could ignore the sparkling Harry Winston jewellery that adorned her finger.

They made a beautiful couple and upon reaching the bottom of the steps, they greeted their guests with smiles before encouraging them to continue their activities. There was plenty of time for interaction.

Hours passed and the couple continued their polite rounds to the various people. Soon, they were asked by the MC to start their first dance. Under the warm yellow lights, the couple waltzed to the musicians playing. It felt more like a dream watching the gentle sweep of the gown floating across the marble floor. For one instant, they looked like a happily-married couple.

Hinata danced with many of the people. She danced with her father-in-law and her cousin Neji (Her father still wasn't allowed to exert too much on himself). The elderly man knew his way on the dance floor and the experience of being treated like a lady made her smile. The dance with Neji was pleasantly warm and sweet. His usually stiff demeanour meant that he rarely danced but when pushed, he becomes one of the best and Hinata was comfortable even when he pulled closer for the finishing step.

She danced with friends. Even the lazy Shikamaru couldn't resist the invitation from her to move from the comfort of the balcony much less Naruto, Shino and Chouji who made it for the wedding.

"Ne! Hinata-chan, you really look pretty tonight!" The blonde had exclaimed. Shino pronounced that she had become a woman and Chouji commented on the excellent food that was catered. She was happy to see them even if for a few hours. She laughed along with their antics and helped the awkward Naruto as he carefully avoided stepping on her toes. Their chats helped her relaxed and ignore for the few moments, the perpetual scrutiny from everyone else. She had been masking her real emotions – her fears and discomfort at being public property. The stress so far was almost too much to take, so much so that she had actually thought of bolting from the aisle earlier at the church ceremony. But as the night progressed, with much alcohol intoxication, she was starting to relax. At least for the moment.

Naruto was about to finish his third dance with her when he felt a light tap at the shoulders. He turned and was confronted by Uchiha Sasuke. They exchanged glances before the blonde politely (not really) relinquished the next dance to Hinata's brother-in-law.

Sasuke bowed before taking her hands. Resting one hand on her waist, he allowed the rhythms of the music pace their moves.

"Are you feeling tired, Hinata-chan?" (She had insisted that he kept to the less formal way of addressing her.)

"Just a little."

He smiled.

"Have I said how gorgeous you look tonight?"

She laughed.

"Only the third time already!"

She enjoyed his company very much and the knowledge of having him nearby comforted her greatly. In fact, it would be exactly what she needed to ease the transition when the last of her belongings were to finally shift over into the Uchiha residence. He chuckled slightly before wearing a more serious expression on his handsome face.

"My brother is one fortunate man. You are a blessing to behold."

She blushed as she stole a glance at her husband who was busy chatting with business associates. He was a dashing man and she couldn't ignore the flirting gazes that other women were giving him. There was a heavy feeling in her chest that she was finding hard to ignore.

"Hinata-chan?"

"Ah gomen ne, I must be getting tired. Sasuke-kun, to marry into your family is a blessing in itself."

He smiled again.

"Of course! And what a charming Hime you are." (Hime princess)

Her cheeks flushed a tinge of pink as his mind took a trip down memory lane.

FLASHBACK

He remembered when they were merely little children of five years playing in his garden whilst their parents conversed over tea. Hinata came running in her little blue yukata, all excited and flushed.

They had been playing a game of catch amongst the plants and were now heading towards the sandbox where they had previously hid his brother's notes. His brother was away at school and so couldn't join them.

"Ne Sasuke-kun! What should we do now?"

He smiled. She looked so cute with her pale complexion juxtaposed by the apple red tinge creeping across her cheeks and nose. He thought that she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen.

"Ne, how about we build a big sandcastle!"

She nodded with enthusiasm and they began the "serious task" of building a big castle. Sasuke was filling the buckets while Hinata slowly moulded the shapes. After an hour, they were finally satisfied with their work.

It was quite impressive. It was large (filled up nearly the whole sandbox), tall (about three-quarters their height). Hinata had used leaves and twigs she randomly found in the garden to decorate the castle with flags and ditches. It even had a moat (not filled though as they couldn't find the hose).

The two smiled utterly proud of their work. Being kids, they decided to do role-playing with the castle theme in mind.

"Ne Hinata-chan, you can be the Hime of the castle!"

"Hai and you will be the Ouji!" And she leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheeks. (Ouji prince)

Being a child who was not used to such open affections from girls especially, Sasuke blushed red, much to the amusement of Hinata who was used to receiving them from her mother.

He smiled.

My Hime …..

END OF FLASHBACK

And it was still true up to this very day, especially this night, she really resembled a princess. With her hair done up and her in a beautiful gown, he felt like he was holding in his arms, this every moment, a real live princess.

He would have been happy to carry on dreaming and dancing under the glitter of the chandelier. If only, his brother didn't come round to reclaim his bride.

Uchiha Itachi, from the corner amongst his friends, was watching his new bride dance with his brother. It was fine until he saw the way she was flushing and laughing with him. There grew a little pang of annoyance that he couldn't explain. Deciding that it was time for them to go, he placed his glass on a passing tray and approached the dance floor.

The two brothers exchanged glances. In the face of reality, Sasuke obeyed and handed her back to his brother who hooked her arm on his.

Again, I have to stand aside and watch you claim the best things in life, Sasuke silently thought.

Uchiha Itachi whispered some words in her ears and they proceeded to make a final change of clothes.

Some time later, the couple emerged. Amidst the merry crowd, Itachi had hooked her arm in his and slowly led them out to the waiting limousine that would take them to one of the holiday homes. Leaving the guests to entertain themselves, their own parents had already left the vicinity much earlier to rest.

It was after Hinata had settled down from all the rush of the ball that a new worry griped her. It was their wedding night and soon she had to deal with the consummation of the marriage.

She remembered expressing the same fears to her close friends:

"It'll be fine Hinata! Just relax and let Itachi guide you!" Ino said a-matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, given his experience, I'm sure that's not a problem." Tenten had said lifting up yet another gossip magazine with Itachi on its cover page with a stunning model flanking his arm. It was just one of the many pictures she could see whenever she happened to pass a vendor's stall. Beautiful nameless people whose only link was their trophy value to the one called Uchiha Itachi.

She remembered shaking her head and panicking more. It would be her first time after all.

Sinking back in the leather seats, she stole a glance at the man himself. He now wore only a plain shirt with a standard suit and was watching the outside scenery rather intensely. Sighing a little, she turned back to the window and tried her best to refrain from twiddling her fingers or twisting the skirt that she was wearing.

The limousine came to a halt and they were led by a servant into the reclusive little hideaway overlooking the sea. When Itachi went ahead to answer a call, Hinata, stole a chance to head for a soak in the hot spring. Gingerly, she stripped herself of the towel that protected her modesty and stepped into the welcoming waters.

The warm waters were helping to ease the fatigued muscles in the shoulders, back and legs. She playfully lifted some of the warm water to splash onto her shoulders, after which she then settled back into a comfortable position. It had been a long day and being in heels, tight clothing and maintaining a stiff posture didn't help one bit. It was these moments of privacy that she enjoyed most. She was after all someone who valued privacy. All the publicity had worn her out and her jaws ached from holding a smile for such a long stretch.

Feeling somewhat more relaxed, her thoughts started to invade the space.

I can't delay the inevitable unless Itachi himself can't bring himself to look at me. After all, the numerous models and public stars are so many times more beautiful than I am.

She sighed and continued to ponder her thoughts.

Maybe he's too drunk and would have fallen asleep by the time I head back.

As if. Hyuuga Hinata, ahh, Uchiha Hinata, pull yourself together and face reality. As farce this marriage may be, you still have the obligation of at least producing one heir!

She paused for a second.

Or maybe more than one. Even if there is no love between us, then all the love can go to my children. Our children.

She mentally corrected. Her tired mind wasn't organising her thoughts properly.

But that still doesn't solve the problem I must deal with later.

Her face fell as a tight knot was felt in her tummy. She was one nervous wreck. Sighing again, she looked up at the darken skies that was sprinkled with stars.

Things would be so different if I had married someone I do love. Maybe things would have been different if it worked out with Kiba. Maybe I wouldn't be trying to intoxicate myself during the ball or having all these what-ifs thoughts. And I definitely wouldn't be trying to delay going back into the bedroom.

She breathed out.


What a coward I am.

Sighing yet again, she stepped out of the waters and slowly padded her way back. Having wrapped herself, she strolled back to the bedroom, consciously aware that she was taking the longer way back. As slow as her pace was, she eventually reached the room. Taking in a deep breath, she gently pushed the doors. Stepping in, she initially spied no other presence and breathed out a sigh of relief.

That was until she ended bumping into a wall called her husband upon turning around after closing the door. The unprepared one jumped, much to the amusement of the taller one who continued to walk and sat upon the bed. Nervousness kicked in and the knotty feeling in her tummy only got worse. Pretending to be calm and cool, she walked over to her luggage and pulled out a sleeping gown from within its contents.

She's a bag of nerves. But a delectable one nonetheless.

Itachi smiled as he watched his wife look for her sleeping gown. His eyes rolled over the figure from head to toe and again from toe up. The thin damp material that was wrapped to hide her modesty was only accentuating the curves that lay underneath.

Not that she would need it or have a chance to, he thought deviously.

It was true that prior to this, they had have little chance of anything that resembled courtship. They barely talked. Barely touched. Barely know each other. The closest form of intimacy was the pecks on the cheeks he gave for the cameras and that on the whole, did not count.

But if it was anything, he was impressed by the way she seemed to shine. He was surprised at her accepting the marriage and more amazed at how she puts up the pressure to be the new darling of the public. Her grace is much loved by all, save for his seething other fans. Regardless of the strength of her character, it was the touch of smiles that she had for everyone and anyone. Sometimes he felt a tinge of envy, especially so when they were visiting a children's charitable event where she mingled with the young ones. Her smiles and laughter really brightened the place and the children adored her as much she of them.

The fact that she loved children appealed to him. It meant that there will be little opposition to having any of their own. Though he was indifferent about it, he wouldn't mind as there was the obligation to their parents. No matter, the process itself nonetheless, will be enjoyable.

Hinata was about to pull the gown out of the luggage when she felt a pair of hands touch her waist. Her heart started beating faster as those hands slowly turned her around. Coming into close proximity with him was driving her nuts as his hooded eyes confirmed her of what he wanted.

Her.

Pulling her close, one hand reached up to gently cup her face up towards his. Heart thundering against her ribcage, Hinata was resisting all urges to bolt from the room. Her breath paced faster as his face dropped lower and lower to close the gap between them. He paused just slightly.

"Hinata……."

He finally descended to kiss her lips and smother any impinging response.

Hinata stiffened and froze for a moment, unsure of how she should react. Since she was young, she had always thought of the moment where she would be with one who dearly loved and treasured her, who accepted her for the person that she was and is. And now that the moment was near, she could not think clearly, the thundering beat of her heart drowning out any thoughts she had in her head.

Itachi's hands followed the curve of her jaw, trailing a light path up the delicate shell of her ear, before sweeping down and following the supple line of her back.

"Just relax...", he murmured, before his lips moved over hers more firmly, their breaths mingling, as she gave into the headiness of their first real kiss.

One hand on the small of her back, pulling her ever closer to him, Itachi swept the other hand up to tenderly cradle her face, as he deepened the kiss further, hands moving around to grip her neck more securely, his tongue probing the seam of her lips, seeking entrance into the warm wet cavern.

Hinata felt a brief flash of alarm before her lips parted almost voluntarily. For an instant, she could pretend and cherish the false sense of security that his embrace offered but her little conscience refused. It was hard to love a complete man of a stranger. She may have known him as a child but it was wilful to even think that she knew him. What love was there in this marriage? He knew as well as she did or even better. There was no hiding. This was nothing more than obligatory custom of marriage and perhaps, lust. And even to that, her insecurities had something against it. After all, Itachi was attractive in his own right, and experienced too. What if he wanted someone who was more experienced? Even so, she knew that that could not be so. After all, he was experienced, and to a master of seduction, naiveté and innocence would hardly serve as an obstacle to one keen on gaining optimum pleasure from the love act.

His countless other lovers would know this better than her. She was now a token trophy for the world to see, the only difference from the model girlfriends he used to show off was the fact that her face would more or less be constantly portrayed alongside his. Thoughts such as these would have been further pursued and analyzed were they not swept away in almost a split second by the onslaught of feelings which arose in Hinata, and was aroused by none other than Itachi.

Pulling away slightly only to plant little kisses on her neck, Itachi nipped lightly at the sensitive skin where neck and shoulder met, before moving down lower.

Good, he thought, as Hinata's head fell back, her arms lifting themselves to twine around his neck seemingly for support. He knew that Hinata was a rather reserved person, and had felt waves of uncertainty radiating from her just moments before. Gently, he bent down, and brought his arms under her knees, lifting her up and carrying her to the soft bed which awaited them. Itachi laid Hinata down right in the middle of the bed, her legs forming a natural cradle for him.

Slowly with fingers, which seem to tremble though he knew not why, he pushed the hair out of her half-closed eyes, before gently removing the damp towel which appeared to cling to her like a second skin. Sardonically, he thought that it was rather like unwrapping a present. Yes. Definitely a present. And one which he wouldn't mind to have delivered to him from time to time. He savoured her sweetness of innocence and the knowledge of branding her his. She was his wife - a necessary statement for the rest of the men like her cousin and especially, his brother. He paused to peer into those luminous eyes of hers. Because tonight, for once, those eyes were finally only looking at him, instead of everyone else in the whole damn world.

Hinata looked up, and saw the gleam in Itachi's eyes. For some strange reason not even known to her, she saw him in a different light then she normally did. While he normally seemed arrogant and cock-sure of himself, all she saw now was a little boy who had to grow up quickly in a dog-eat-dog world, and was old and weary even before he was 10. Somehow, the mask he wore seemed to have slipped fractionally, allowing her a glimpse at the true Itachi. And so, she gently brought her palm to his cheek, tenderly cupping it, trying to infuse feeling into what she could not articulate with words.

Taken aback, Itachi's eyes widened just fractionally before the iron mask fell back into its place, and his eyes were shuttered once more. Why did he suddenly feel as though she had seen into the very core of him? Pushing such thoughts out of the way, Itachi lowered his head and claimed her lips once more, hoping to chase away the ghosts of vulnerability, and to regain primacy again.

Under such fierce onslaught, Hinata had no choice but to surrender. Itachi's hands mapped her body like the wonderland that it was. His tongue learning the different tastes and textures of Hinata, until they were both feverish with desire for one another. Then and only then, did Itachi deem Hinata ready and slowly entered her, melding their two bodies together as their shadows blended on the wall amidst the flickering candlelight. The infamous pain she heard so much about gave way to only the waves of pleasure that followed suit. Amidst heated passion, both found their climax. They drew apart minutes later when they tumbled back to reality, a tangle of limbs and heaving chests.

Itachi gently cradled Hinata's body as she drifted off into slumber.

Somehow at the back of her mind, she remembered hearing him whisper,

"...Mine."

Author's note:

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the long delay but hope that you guys enjoyed it. Another should be coming along soon. Anyway many thanks to my patient beta, Ryce-chan and my dear friend, Vertigenious for helping me with the wedding night!

Special Thanks:

Kichou

Saturnova

Malitia

YumYum

OspreyAnimeG

Ganymade