"So you're really going?" The blonde nin said. Her teal eyes were slightly narrowed in confusion.
"Yes." came the short reply, as always.
"I don't understand," came a gruff voice to his left.
"I didn't expect you to understand," he said calmly.
The brother let out an angry hiss of breath.
"This will strengthen our alliance," the female explained, not wanting the other two to bicker.
"So you're just going to marry that Hyuuga wench!" the tattoo-d brother snarled.
A hand flicked outward and struck him in the face.
"You're talking about a noble Konoha family," the red-head said, his voice low and dangerous.
"Gaara! Stop!" the blond said.
Gaara fell silent.
Temari's eyebrows were furrowed. "But there are many males that are in line. Many of them want to be heir. There's no telling they'll actually choose you, Gaara."
Gaara's face remained emotionless, though his eyes reflected annoyance. "You're not worried about Sand and Leaf's alliance, you're worried about what I might do if I'm not chosen."
Temari was silent, her eyes wide.
"He might kill off all those fucking Konoha people…actually do us good." Kankuro muttered.
Temari's tongue left her teeth, making a sound of annoyance. "Urusai." she said.
"What do you have against Konoha?" Gaara asked quietly.
"His pride was wounded," Temari said, smirking.
Kankuro hissed. "Shut up, bastards."
Temari laughed, and the corners of Gaara's lips twitched. "You're a bastard too, Kankuro."
"Have you decided yet, Hinata?" Hiashi asked his daughter before him.
"Not yet, Otou-san," Hinata murmured.
"Just to let you know, the elders have send a request to Sand."
Hinata's heart sank. "Did he accept?"
"We have not got word yet," Hiashi said.
Hinata was silent for a while.
"Be sure to chose somebody strong, healthy child to carry on the legacy of Hyuuga."
Hinata gave a slight bow. "Yes, Otou-san."
"The elders might be planning to wed Neji and Hanabi," Hiashi said.
Hinata felt her heart give a jolt. "What?"
Hiashi gave Hinata the look that said she knew what he meant.
"It will strengthen the bond between Branch and Head. We can't give Hanabi title of heir unless you have died, and so they might wed her to Neji to keep the bloodline pure. And if you're marrying out of our village, then you'll be the chain that keeps the alliance strong."
Hinata lowered her eyes. "The Kazekage?" she whispered. He looked so cruel, with his eyes glinting like that.
"You should be ready to serve the village and our family."
'Whatever it the council picks for you… follow their orders obediently. For your own sake. The Hyuuga have a lot of influence over our village, and it is best to abide to their say.'
"Hai, Otou-san."
"The Kazekage?"
"Hai."
"Are you going to be moving to sand?" Neji asked, his eyes on Hinata's face. His eyebrows were furrowed in concern.
"I don't know yet…" Hinata murmured.
"And you accepted?"
"Yes," Hinata said, looking up. "I thought…"
"You know what kind of a person the Kazekage is? You accepted to somebody you didn't know?"
Hinata's eyes were worried. "It's for the family," she whispered. "Our village…"
Neji sighed. "Hinata…"
Hinata touched his arm, causing him to give a slight jump.
"Neji-niisan…"
Neji looked at Hinata. "We'll talk about this later, when the elders' decisions are more final. There's too much we don't know right now."
Hinata nodded, her hair brushing against her cheeks.
Neji got up, tilted her chin up slightly, then left with unreadable eyes.
Hinata waited a little while before quietly opening the door to Haku's room.
"How are you doing today, Haku-san?" she said, her voice with feigned lightness.
Haku laid on his bed, stilly, his hair strewn all over his pillow in glossy strands.
"Fine," he said, so quietly she almost didn't hear him.
Hinata was used to smiling at the patients. Her lips curved upwards, but her eyes remained clouded.
She unwound the old bandages on his arm half-heartedly. What would happen if she did have to go live in Sand? With the Kazekage?
Hinata washed the ointment off the skin, gently out of habit. Hopefully the council would pick somebody else…
She re-applied fresh medication to his wounds and began wrapping. The council hated her. They'd definitely want to send her away-
"Hinata-sama," came a soft voice.
"Ah - are?" Hinata said, her eyes snapping back to alertness.
"Something's troubling you?" Haku asked.
Hinata blushed. "Haku-san reads me so well," she said after she got over the shock of his simple question.
Haku gently took her hand off his arm and began wrapping it himself. "It's quite the opposite, Hinata-sama. I was beginning to feel frustrated to your un-readability. Your eyes are so uncanny."
"M-my eyes?" Hinata stuttered.
Haku wrapped another loop before handing his arm back to Hinata for her to tie the knot. "I at first didn't know where you were looking. It looked as if you were blind. I read other's actions and thoughts by looking at their eyes. Yours are quite confusing, since the whole of your irises are very large."
Hinata didn't know what to say, so she began unwrapping the bandage on his abdomen.
Haku winced as Hinata's chest came nearer, as she leaned forward to wrap the clean bandage around him.
Haku turned his face away, his hair slipping off his shoulder. Hinata wrapped around him one last time before leaning in to tie the bandage. Her breasts pressed against his ribs and he closed his eyes, willing himself not to show any signs that he noticed. His hands, though, clenched in the sheets.
"Daijoubu ka, Haku-san?" Hinata asked as she noticed his fist slightly shaking.
Haku's eyes snapped open and he looked at her, his chest rising and falling as he breathed heavily.
'Haku-san?" Hinata asked again, concernedly. She felt Haku's forehead. His skin was extremely warm under her cool hand.
"I - I'm fine," Haku managed.
"Are you sure?"
"Y-yes."
Hinata peered at him, her lips in a small frown. Haku's eyes fixed on them and he nervously swallowed. Hinata blinked and turned away to get a small towel and warm water.
Haku stared at her back. Never in his life had he - or his body - reacted like that to another human.
She made him fell so… uncomfortable then, it made his body heat up. His throat went dry and his stomach tightened. He had felt so vulnerable.
Hinata came back and pulled the covers up to his chin.
"Hinata-sama-"
"Haku-san, please, just Hinata," Hinata said, cutting him off. She wet a towel and folded it in half, then placed it on his forehead after brushing his hair to the side.
Haku's insides squirmed. "Hinata, I'm fine," he protested.
Hinata pursed her lips and looked down at him through her pearly eyes.
"You're heating up rapidly, that's not fine," Hinata said.
Haku stared up at her. Her dark hair framed her face beautifully, and the rest was pulled up in a long ponytail. Long lashes brought out the creamy color in her eyes. Her lips were faint pink and full.
Haku's throat went dry again and he turned his eyes to the side.
He would have to ask Naruto why this happened to him.
Hinata knelt stiffly on her cushion as she tried not to raise her eyes to meet any others. Her face felt tight with white powder and wax, and her eyes itched with the disturbance of charcoal eyeliner. She remembered not to lick off her lipstick and breathed deeply instead. It smelled of dry wood.
She felt Neji's finger gently touch her side, and her eyes slid to look at him.
"Maybe he didn't accept," he mouthed from his position beside her. His hair was tied back loosely, but several strands had escaped to frame his pale face. His eyes stared ahead at the blank wall of the room. He wore a dark gi accompanied by a gray hakama. His hands had returned to their folded spot on his lap.
Hinata nodded, though she dared not to be too hopeful.
The door slid open, and Hinata, heart pounding, couldn't help but look up. She closed her eyes and let her lips smile in relief. It was a maid.
"The Kazekage-sama sends word that he will be late, Hyuuga-sama," she said, her forehead on the wooden flooring.
"Hai," Hiashi said. He and the elders stood and left, the maid following after them.
Hinata sighed. Neji turned to look at her.
"Hinata-sama…"
"Neji-niisan," Hinata began.
"Yes?"
Hinata paused, then smiled. "You look nice today, Neji-niisan."
"Oh?" Neji said, sounding amused. His dark eyebrows rose. "May I inquire as to the occasion?"
Hinata's smile grew. "I promised myself that if the Kazekage didn't show up, I'd compliment you on your dress, since I've never seen you in such formal clothes."
Neji's eyebrows rose higher.
"It's a way of thanking the gods," Hinata giggled.
Neji smirked. "I've never seen you in a formal kimono - it almost brigs out the lady in you."
Hinata blushed, her giggling turning to laughter.
"Your make up certainly brings out the color of your eyes," Neji added, smiling.
Hinata laughed harder, and playfully pushed her cousin off his zabuton. He fell backwards, smirking, and she realized his hands were pulling her down with him.
Hinata let out a squeak as she fell on Neji's chest, and started laughing again.
"What's so amusing, Hinata?" Neji asked, his eyes watching his younger cousin's.
"I don't know," she managed, "but maybe it's because the Kazekage didn't show today…"
Neji smiled and placed his hand on Hinata's head, his eyes turning to the ceiling. He was vaguely aware of the fact that Hinata was lying in between his legs, her body and weight pleasurably warm on him.
Hinata quieted down and she began rubbing the fabric of Neji's gi between her thumb and forefinger.
Neji stroked Hinata's glossy hair. "You are very pretty today," he said softly.
Hinata smiled, unseen by Neji. She closed her eyes and listened to his voice through his chest. Hinata tilted her head slightly so she could smell his clothes. She loved her cousin's scent.
Neji smiled as he saw Hinata's fingers play with the fabric of his gi. Her hands were so slender and small compared to his - calloused and strong.
"Tough not as pretty as when you don't have make up on, of course," he murmured.
Hinata blushed. "Neji, don't tease me so," she said, smiling shyly against his clothed stomach.
"I'm not teasing," Neji said, and Hinata looked up at him. His eyes stared back with seriousness.
Hinata smiled. She placed her hands on Neji's shoulders and pulled herself up.
Neji's eyes were questioning as they roamed her face.
Hinata's hair brushed against Neji's face as she lowered herself, then kissed him softly.
Neji's breath hitched, then he closed his eyes and kissed back. They kissed again and again, Hinata's lips caressing Neji's, beginning to quench his desires only barely.
Hinata tasted sweet to him, her lips moving against his so tenderly and with the ability to see what he wanted so badly.
The fire within him flared with pleasure he couldn't describe. He knew why she was doing it, and admired her for the courage. On some level he was surprised, but he focused on her and only her, so that he could still remember the taste of her delicious lips against his when he needed her the most and he couldn't have her; he knew the chances of him being wed to her were miniscule.
Hinata placed a hand gently on Neji's face and pulled away. She licked her lips, and Neji's eyes traced the movement of her tongue.
"Neji-kun…"
His eyes fell upon her carefully combed hair, held back in a decorative ponytail, with delicate tendrils of dark hair escaping the lacquered combs and framing her powdered face. Her eyes were defined with black charcoal like substance, and her lips were painted a deep hue of crimson.
Around her neck was a dark blue kimono collar, trimmed with the purity of white. The obi was gold, with a dark blue tie, and the bow in the back fell to the ground richly. Hinata's kimono was dusted with specks of silver, and pale plum blossoms, lacquered finely, stood out against the rich blue.
He noticed how her knees were positioned on either side of his hips, the way her collar loosened up near the center, allowing his eyes access to her pale, delicious flesh, smooth and unmarred as they enhanced her collarbones beautifully.
He barely noticed the way he was breathing heavily, the way his moistened lips were parted, the way his wide eyes were roaming her body so temptingly placed on top of him.
Hinata straightened his dark gi, then pressed her lips to his right cheek. She got up, stepped into her expensive geta sandals, and left.
Neji's finger barely brushed against his cheek; he sat up and stared into the traditional eight-sided mirror hanging in the center of the front wall. He didn't quite want to wash off the red mark on his face.
"Kekki genkai?"
"Hai."
"From Hidden-Mist, you said, Godaime-sama?"
"Hai."
Hiashi was silent.
"He's healing up nicely, you can see him in a little while, Hyuuga-sama," Tsunade said.
"We don't have much time," Hiashi said, turning his pallid eyes on her hazelnut ones. She didn't even flinch. "We have only six days left for Hinata."
"Wakarimasu," Tsunade said.
"The decision has to be made before her body is ready," Hiashi reminded, his voice suggesting impatience.
"I assure you, the boy won't take that long," Tsunade returned. She kept level eye contact with the Hyuuga head. "The papers are in the folder before you; you are free to contemplate on whether or not to add him to your list, Hyuuga-sama."
"What the elders and I have decided is best for our clan, Hokage-sama. You've made it sound like we're offering my eldest daughter to just anyone." Hiashi commented coolly.
Tsunade didn't bat an eye. "What's best for your clan might not be best for Hinata."
It felt so good for all of the make up and fabric to be off her body. It had taken a long time to prepare her for the formal meeting, and the most important person hadn't shown up.
Hinata lowered herself in the hot springs, almost moaning as the delightfully hot water mulled over her tense body. She placed a wet towel over her forehead before letting her arms float, relaxed. Water streamed from the towel and kissed the skin of her eyelids before rolling down her face like tears. She touched her lips lightly. Neji was… He was sad, depressed even, through his lips. Hinata couldn't help but get the feeling that he kissed her for reason she couldn't bear to think about. She loved him, if not in a lusty way, but she hoped he would be by his side for her whole life.
It wasn't the first time she'd done that. During a mission, her team had to resort to such measures. Kiba had been furious, but they were able to escape. Hinata was ashamed at herself, and only her two teammates knew about the incident. Hinata sighed. Was the thing she did to Neji the same she did to the guard?
Hinata's wet hair was plastered to her cheeks, and the rest floated in the water like a shimmering cloud. Her hair reached her lower back, now.
A sigh parted Hinata's lips and she sank deeper into the soothing waters. The water stilled after a long while, and Hinata thought she had fallen asleep. Her pearly eyes opened when a small ripple lapped at her cheeks.
"You mind?" came a feminine voice.
Hinata looked up, slightly surprised. Temari's dirty-blonde hair was let loose, and a small towel was covering her privates.
"Oh, not at all," Hinata murmured, moving slightly. She brought her hands from underwater to tuck her wet hair behind her ears. Warm water once again wet the air-cooled cheeks.
Temari sank in and let out a long sigh. "The journey nearly killed me," she said, her eyes closed.
"You've just arrived?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah," Temari said, opening her eyes. She smoothed water over her hair. "Kankuro insisted on extra cleaning of his puppets, and a sandstorm temporarily closed off the trail out west."
"Oh…" Hinata studied the way the water ripped outwards, and didn't look up even when she felt Temari's eyes on her.
It would have been rude to get out, so Hinata stayed a little while.
"Wow, you're really pale," Temari remarked, comparing their skin tones.
Hinata mumbled a quiet agreement.
"You don't talk much, either." Temari said.
Hinata gave a shy smile.
"Gaara's like that too, though he always has a killer intent lingering around him…"
Hinata remembered the way Gaara had ruthlessly killed those ninja from the Chuunin matches and suppressed a shiver.
"He seems very strong," Hinata said softly.
Temari was quiet for a while.
Hinata bit her lip. It would be slightly awkward to ask Temari about the Kazekage. "What…what is the Kazekage like… what is your father like?" she asked tentatively.
Temari blinked. "My father?"
Hinata nodded.
Temari gave Hinata a queer look. "My father died, nearly five years ago."
Hinata was confused. "Your father wasn't the Kazekage?" she could've sworn…
"Yeah. He was killed during that one year's Chuunin matches. He's not Kazekage anymore," Temari said with a slight laugh.
Hinata blinked. "Then is Kankuro…?"
Temari snorted. "Hell no. That stupid bastard, he couldn't be Kazekage. Sunakagure would collapse under his rule."
"Then who…?"
Temari rubbed warm water on her arms. "Gaara is the Kazekage, Hinata-san," she said with a smile.
"Gaara…? But he's so young… isn't he seventeen?"
Temari shook her head. "He turned eighteen last month."
Hinata lowered her eyes. "Oh…"
Hinata thought it was an outrageous idea being wed to Gaara of the Sand, let alone carry his child. Hinata chewed on her bottom lip.
"Nervous?"
Hinata looked up from the water's surface. "I'm pretty sure anybody will be…" Hinata said with a nervous laugh. "Being wed to just anybody, I mean," she added hastily.
Temari nodded knowingly. "Yeah…"
Hinata raked her slender finger through her hair absentmindedly.
"Well, I'm going to leave you to your thoughts, Hinata-san, if you don't mind," Temari said, standing up.
Hinata looked away at the sight of Temari's tan, muscular, but feminine body, blushing. The sand kunoichi laughed softly as she wrapped a towel around herself and left.
Her thighs were gently spread apart, as she always dreamed it would be like. The muscular body poised above her hesitated, and his eyes looked tormented. She brought his face down, lightly kissing his lips, then trailing down, placing fluttery kissed to his collarbone.
He was breathing harshly in her ear, and as he turning his head, his shimmering, raven hair slipped off his shoulders and stroked her face.
She gasped as he entered her, moaning as he drove in further. Then, slowly, rhythmically, he began moving. Her nails dug into his back but he didn't care - his body moved faster to her cries. Her back arched off the bed in intense pleasure, and her pale legs wrapped around his hips.
She barely heard herself gasping and moaning, sometimes even screaming. Her body was in a frenzied mess and she knew she couldn't last much longer.
He groaned softly and collapsed on hop of her, panting heavily. He felt so delicious, pressed up against her body. She gently stroked his back, though her chest rose and fell rapidly. The erotic scent of their love-making hung heavily in the air, like a drape.
As she pushed the hair out of her eyes, he opened his and looked at her.
Hinata's white eyes shot open, her body shaking in her bed. The sweat made her clothes cling to her body. She swallowed, and looked around. It seemed so real.
She remembered those eyes looking at her, but they didn't belong to the person she thought they would.
Instead of being eerily pale, they were deep brown and sorrowful.
Hinata's been having naughty dreams, eh? XD What did you guys think of this chapter? I didn't get much feedback on the last one; I was so sad! T..T Please, please review! That's what keeps me going! And I kinda need help on the pairings… You guys just tell me what you prefer, and why you think that way. Okay? Go Tsunade, eh? Oh... I know I suck at lemons, if you would evencall it that. This was my first try... ehehe, so yeah. (blushes) Poor Haku, being seduced like that (however unknowingly) XDReview! (please) :bow: