It was snowing heavily that night,

Almost everything was covered in white,

Doesn't white symbolize hope and purity?

Oh she could only laugh at the irony.


He barely glanced at her, even when they had to seal their vows. His dark eyes were only on the ground, she noticed. And even though looking down was also a habit of hers that she doubt would go away anytime soon, she couldn't help but question him.

It was cold. Goodness, it was very cold. For some reasons, it felt like it wasn't the winds of winter.

Snow was something unusual in Konoha. When it comes, all it does to Hinata is just. . .gloom.

Maybe it was wrong to be mad at him, he also did not want this. No, Hinata was not mad at Sasuke. She was mad at herself. Had she any right to be mad when she was in fact the one who dragged the Uchiha into wedding? Well technically, he had the choice to decline her father's proposal, but he didn't. Basically, he agreed too, so it wasn't just a one man choice. Hinata shook her thoughts away. . .she was just probably trying to find a way to cheer herself up.

"Remember, Hinata. You have a choice in this," Hiashi spoke once they talked about the wedding. "I am not forcing you."

"But I want to, Otou-san," Hinata confirmed, smiling sadly. "I want to."

How unusual it was for her to find herself something to cheer her up. To find reasons that are not really what you call valid. Growing up, it was either she would wallow in self pity or would just tell herself that she's always the one to blame. Because that's what who she was: the one who was always at fault. Right there and at that moment, she realized that it's true, or just much true at the moment.

Yes, it was her fault. Sasuke was only dragged into it and had agreed for some reason. And that reason wasn't surely made to love her. Just wed.

"It's hard to love someone who doesn't plan on loving you back," Sakura, her friend, once told her.

And though the pink haired kunoichi had assured her that there was nothing wrong with her marrying her friend's first love, there was still a pang of guilt that comes up in Hinata's mind whenever it wants to. Most of the time, the thought just shows up straight ahead, and goodness it was hard.

Perhaps what the Haruno said was true. Never had she noticed this before when she was still in love with a certain blond, but her former classmate was correct about love.

The rental house — which she and her husband would share for a quarter of a month — was almost the same size as Hinata's quarters, if not bigger. Though, however big it was, she couldn't help but feel like she would run out of breath anytime now.

The lantern in the middle of the room, just right above the bed, was the only thing that gave light to the room. . .the bedroom. Thankfully, the walls were lovely and white — not as white as the snow outside — but bright enough to bring a comforting mood to the atmosphere and just bright enough to compliment the light of the lantern. There was only one bed, obviously they would share. No couches of choices or whatever. Why would she expect that there would be couches in a bedroom? It was an exclusive rental honeymoon house.

Hinata had always claimed herself to be good at reading people. It was one of the perks of being a quiet introverted person. But Sasuke Uchiha? She couldn't read one bit of him. Was he mad, frustrated, angry, that he married her? She couldn't really see. If the girl were being honest with herself, Hinata knew that she wouldn't really want to know his thoughts. And maybe she was just scared of finding out what Sasuke really felt about the whole thing.

It was awfully quiet. It's just the soft woosh of the air that carried the cold breeze that made some noise. Neither of them spoke, but she doubt she would like it if she started a conversation with her newly wedded husband. Undoubtedly, Hinata is not someone who would start a conversation, and she never pegged Sasuke would be one too.

Never mind, it didn't really matter now. As long as they get along, then it would be okay.

Would they though?

A loud thud pushed her thoughts away for a few seconds. Distracting her to the extent that she could not think for full seconds.

It was her and Sasuke's luggage. Did he drop it? He was surprisingly gentleman enough to carry her bag for her, considering that he only had one hand. He might've said nothing and just went ahead and carry her things, but it was a kind of gesture she doubt she would forget. Especially coming the from the Uchiha.

Wrong. It was wrong of her to wish that the thud would happen consecutively so that it would distract the hell out of her.

Sasuke started unpacking his luggage, but Hinata couldn't do anything. Frozen on the spot, she was. After quite some time, Hinata managed to put some of her small amount of clothing that she brought in the cabinets and drawers that Sasuke didn't choose.

After the several minutes of unpacking which felt like hours, she hoped that Sasuke had looked at her, shared a glimpse at her, or something close to that. For several seconds, her mind battled on whether she would activate her byakugan to look at him or do nothing at all.

It was hopeless. They both got caught in a loveless marriage. And it was her fault.

But then, the thought finally dawned on her. . .she was married to Uchiha Sasuke. And it already happened, no more regrets. . .for now.

Breathing in, Hinata closed her eyes. Slower than ever, her small hands travelled in her wedding clothing, pulling the straps and untying the ribbons. As one piece of what she was wearing felt loose, her heart rate quickened.

When the haneri of her wedding kimono reached one of her shoulders, revealing her creamy pale skin, she audibly sobbed. Quietly hoping that Sasuke didn't hear it, she shut her eyes harder. As the cold breeze touched her bare skin, she wondered if neither of them were ready for this, or maybe she was the only one who's not ready.

There was no point of slowing it down, it was bound to happen anyways. It was like destiny or fate — something that should be written as history – but of course it wasn't. Perhaps Hinata was being too delusional to even call it that way.

No, they weren't destined or fated to be together. . .it's only a matter of choices.

Opening her eyes, why was she shocked to see that his back was still facing her when in fact Sasuke had been this way ever since they entered the room? Maybe he didn't hear her sob earlier. Or just chose to pretend that he didn't hear it.

That little thought hurt her. Was she seriously married into someone who does not really care about her?

If Hinata remembered well, Sasuke tend to slouch a lot. He only stood straight whenever he wants people to look at him — which almost rarely happened — or at least that's what Hinata assumed. And right there, at that moment, he wasn't slouching at all.

Did he want her to look at him? No that mustn't be it. Maybe if she could read her husband, then it would be easy. But Hinata couldn't.

There was no courting and other formalities. The wife barely knew her husband, and she was pretty sure it's not much of a difference the other way around. They hadn't really talked. Not even a bit of exchanged greetings.

The wedding was rushed, but was beautiful enough to be remembered by the whole Konoha. It was a beautiful sight of course, the wedding. Everyone was wearing their coats and cloaks over their formal clothing as the snow lightly covered them. True, it was cold, and maybe everyone involved would catch a flu, but it was quick enough to prevent people from going to the hospital.

Hinata loved flowers, especially the white ones. It was good enough that she was somehow friends with the Yamanaka girl, Ino, otherwise she wouldn't have any other available flowers than the wild ones and the winter ones that she did not really like. Ino was the one who had told her things about flowers. And though she could not completely understand, Hinata just went with her.

Closing her eyes once more, she remembered the first small memory she had with Sasuke that Hinata would consider as romantic.

"Oh you're so lucky, Hinata!" Ino had exclaimed, smiling brightly at the shy girl before her. "You're so lucky we had preserved more flowers this winter than what we usually do. I didn't necessarily think that there would be something big that would happen but I just wanted to preserve more, ya know? It's just a coincidence, but I think it's a sign from the gods!"

"Yamanaka-san," one of Hinata's servant called. "We are to arrange the wedding in two days. It will be an endless work for you. With all due respect, we are here to see the flowers you are to offer, can we now?"

"Ugh, fine," Ino muttered, rolling her eyes at the servant. Once she met eyes with Hinata, she immediately changed her mood and flashed a bright smile and said, "Come on now Hinata-chan, I'll let you choose the flowers. Though you don't really mind if I recommend flowers, do you?"

"Well. . .that's why we chose you," Hinata said shyly, blushing at her own words.

This made the Yamanaka girl smile and giggle a bit.

"Same old Hinata, always shying her heart away," Ino said, elbowing her lightly. The gesture made the Hyuga guards around her flinch. The blonde only looked at them in distaste. "So let's go?"

The next thing the Hyuga knew, she was already being dragged by the blonde to a room where she couldn't figure out if the temperature is high or low. Only the Yamanaka clan knows.

"So what's your favourite flower?" Ino had asked with a bright smile.

"Uh, I don't really have one," Hinata answered, bowing her head slightly. As her eyes met a couple of flowers, she asked the Yamanaka, "Would you recommend these in a wedding?"

Ino looked at what Hinata was looking at. She could only smile at the girl. Slowly, the blonde made her way towards the flowers. As if she were presenting something, Ino tilted her head to be as close to the flower as possible.

"Well. . ." Ino started, making Hinata a little bit anxious about her choice. "Not many people choose hydrangeas at first sight, but it's your wedding and I think it will suit your eyes and hair."

"That's sweet," Hinata commented with a small smile, earning the earnest smile Ino could ever muster to the girl. "What do hydrangeas mean? Aren't flowers supposed to have meaning?"

"Oh right. . ." the Yamanaka girl said. "Well, my father used to give hydrangeas to my mother whenever he apologizes to her. He said that the hydrangeas meant asking for apology and my mother would give it back to my father because within the hydrangea, there is also gratitude. If I were to recommend, however, purple hydrangeas meant desire to deeply understand. So it's most suiting in weddings."

And then it occured to Hinata. It's perfect. It's everything she wanted to tell Sasuke.

"Besides, you could always change the meaning of the flowers. For example," Ino said as she reached out for one of the Japanese apricots before handing it over to Hinata. "These meant elegance, faithfulness and purity of the heart. It suits you well, and I'd give it to you with a whole new meaning. 'To have a good luck on your wedded life.'"

"You really mean that?" Hinata asked her friend with a rather obvious flattered expression, shyness draping over her voice. "Thank you so much, Ino-chan."

"Of course, Hinata-chan!" the blonde replied ecstatically with a small smirk as she tucked the flower in Hinata's ear. Her smirk faded and her eyes widened lightly. Hinata figured the blue eyed girl was looking at her back, probably by the door. And then she greeted, "Oh. Sasuke-kun, you're here."

No greetings exchanged, just a nod of acknowledgment to Ino. He just entered the room, together with one of the shop's helpers. One would think he's rude, but maybe he really was. His eyes met hers, but after this, she looked down.

"Ino-chan?" Hinata called, slowly bowing her head to look at the ground as she didn't want her friend to see something in her eyes. Before the blonde girl could answer, she slowly said, "I'll be on my way now. Do whatever you want on the flower arrangement. I'll be fine with the purple hydrangeas."

Again, no words exchanged between the betrothed. Looking at the raven haired man, she slowly walked her way towards him. Their eyes weren't meeting, and somehow, it did hurt. However, as she slowly progressed to where he was, Hinata saw that he had his arm reach for her. At this, she couldn't help but feel the all-too-familiar warmth in her cheeks. Slower than ever, she tangled her arm into his.

Without Hinata noticing it at first, the flower tugged in her ear fell. The moment she tugged a piece of her hair, she noticed that the flower was gone. She believed in signs, and maybe it would be a disastrous wedding after all.

Sighing at everything, he walked her towards the Hyuga compound. Hinata gave him one last glance before entering the gates, only to see that Sasuke had caught the Japanese apricot Ino had gave her in his hand.

He handed it back to her, and she only held onto it. When she got into her quarters, the blue haired girl pressed the flowers into one of her books. Knowing well that she'd forget it over time and maybe some day, she'll just see it again. That night, she slept with reddened cheeks and the scene playing in her head in an endless loop.

Looking back at everything now, she couldn't help but think. Those two simple gestures — the one where he offered his hand and the one with the flower — from Sasuke, and she already wanted to learn how to love him. How pathetic.

Her thoughts only worsened the whole thing off. They weren't even doing anything and Hinata could already feel the nauseating feeling building up inside her stomach.

There was no point of slowing it down, she reminded herself once more before pulling everything away from her until she's all bare. She knew that Sasuke knew, he was a ninja after all, even without the byakugan he would know, but he didn't turn around. He also didn't tell his wife to put her clothes back on. The kimono and her other undergarments were lying on the floor, surrounding her.

"You have a great body, Hinata!" her friends had been continuously praising her body whenever they join in the bath springs. "You shouldn't cover yourself up that much. We would die for that kind of body and men would kill to have a girl like you."

Confidence was something her friends wanted her to have. She almost had it, it was almost in the palm of her hand. But now that she's completely naked in front of a man — her husband — she didn't feel much confidence.

Careful at something non-existent, the wife walked towards Sasuke until he was only a step away. One step and their bodies would touch, her bareness and his fully dressed body. One step is all it would take, and for some reasons, she didn't take it.

Her eyes were on the ground and when Sasuke's feet moved, her heart throbbed out of horror. There's no reason to be scared, Hinata, she told herself silently. One moment, he had his back at her, now he's facing her. For a moment, she wondered whether Sasuke was looking at her or not — if he had his eyes on her head or if his dark orbs were trailing at her nakedness.

Her blood rushed all the way up to her cheeks at the thought. Never mind, it's bound to happen anyways, Hinata told herself. Looking up to him, Hinata was pretty sure she was all pink.

When her pale eyes met his dark ones, she realized the weather was not the only thing that brought coldness. And though her cheeks were warm, it suddenly felt colder than ever because of his gaze. All Hinata could do was study his face.

His eyebrows were not furrowed. His lips weren't parted. It was just a blank stare. A blank stare dedicated to her eyes. Was it to taunt her? She really did not know.

With much hesitation, she wrapped her hands around his neck. It was awkward, and they both stayed in that position for a few seconds before Hinata chose to close the gap between them as she figured Sasuke wouldn't.

As soon as her lips met his, she felt his arm snake around her shoulders as if it were about to stop her, but it didn't.

There had been books that says that there was this thing called 'kissing back,' and apparently, when the blue haired girl thought Sasuke would not do that, he did.

Passionately? No, that wasn't the term. It's like Hinata knew the word to describe what was happening then but couldn't quite put the finger to it.

Hinata isn't exactly what you call experienced, so she did not know if she was doing it wrong. However, Sasuke did not seem to mind. Not to mention: she also did not know if Sasuke was doing it right. They were — at least what it felt to Hinata — almost at the same level. The small responses every now and then that he gave her was already something to her.

True, Hinata had never been a fan of romantic fictions, but she knew that in kisses, they were supposed to drown out from the world and just dive into it. However, this kiss with Sasuke only made her heart throb out of its cage in a rather bad way. Sure, they had kissed at the wedding but she's not even sure if that's a kiss. Their lips just touched.

Completely unaware, Hinata found herself in the bed with Sasuke above her. The soft matresses of the bed hugged her naked figure willingly. It was comfortable enough to ease her a bit. Gasping upon realizing it, Hinata unintentionally stopped the kiss.

Her husband was still on top of her, but barely — not even giving her a small pressure to remind him that he's there. No matter how hard she tried to remind herself that her size is not really far from her husband's, Hinata still felt small under him.

Icy, cold, bored: three words to describe his gaze upon her.

Icy, like what was happening outside — too much snow, too much white things. Just like their wedding, that is. When she and her husband wore white and violet touch ups here and there. Somehow, it reminded her of his susanoo and his other eye.

Cold, like what the winds of winter brought to her. It was almost like Hinata was not burning hot because of the embarrassment she felt that moment with Sasuke's body atop her. Cold, like the rush of wind hanging in the air, as if they weren't well enough isolated in a room.

Bored? Was he though?

Lips, thin and pale, though the left side was triggering to quirk up. The hand in her side was shaking, not terribly, just shaking. Panting, as she was, he was panting too. Dark eyes were glistening with the light that barely made it through. Darkness that had always been around Sasuke absorbed the light that lantern just above him. Even if this was the case, Hinata could clearly see him.

It was easier for her to read him that way. . .when he's on top of her. Not seduced by the kiss, not bored like what she had assumed, not even frustrated at the situation. Finally, she answered the riddle.

In fact, her husband, Uchiha Sasuke was amused.

And has it ever happened in the written histories where one would keep an icy gaze with coldness draping over the atmosphere because of the simple stare, but there is a small amount of amusement to it?

"What are you. . ." Hinata managed to stammer, but trailed off.

That moment, Hinata was baffled. Had she really tried to talk first? Unsure if it was appropriate for her to speak up first with her husband like this and unsure of where her question would land, she was.

And maybe that's the reason why Hinata figured she hated words so much. Words were very powerful. One wrong move, a lot could go wrong. Sometimes the words one has tattooed on mind can easily mess up. The words that fall from someone's lips betray what the brain really wants to say.

"What were you?" her husband shot back, leaving the question unfinished. Exactly like what she did.

And yes, she was correct this time, Uchiha Sasuke, her husband found the whole situation amusing. At least right now. What would happen in a few days? Or maybe hours?

"S-Sasuke. . ." she called him, her voice dying at the last syllable of his name. His eyes only darkened, gone was the light that was there before. And so Hinata therefore chose to ignore what she ought to say.

At this, Hinata felt the weight of Sasuke's only hand slowly become a little bit lighter. In a blink of an eye, Sasuke was already beside her, shifting the whole weight to his side of the bed. Looking at how much weight Sasuke had on him, it felt as if Hinata was a feather to him.

Without him on top of her and his eyes staring at her, the temperature of her body slowly died down. It was cold again. Oh right, it really was cold, she just forgot. The comforters, unfortunately, were under her. But that moment, she didn't really think of moving.

Her pale eyes were just on the lantern above her, watching the soft peaks of light come out from the sides and not at all blinding her.

Hinata had preferred candles over any artificial light. She loved it when the fire danced around when the air carelessly whirls around it. The smoke when the fire is all gone would fade into thin air. But what excited her the most when the memoirs of a certain candle that stays. . .its wax.

For several seconds, she found these thoughts distracting her from how exposed she felt. Well, there was really an exposure, but Sasuke didn't seem to mind it.

And that was just a trial card for several seconds, Hinata found herself right back into place when she felt the comforter hug her as if it were meant to be there anyways. Looking over to Sasuke, Hinata's pale eyes slightly widened. It's better than having to think about candles.

As so she shifted her whole body to look at him, subconsciously hoping that their eyes would meet. And they did.

Surprise was written all over her face, but Sasuke didn't seem to mind. Gone were the amusement. All Hinata could see were blank and empty eyes staring back at her.

Did she need to kiss him again for him to show up a little bit of emotion again? It didn't really matter if it's frustration, anger, sadness, or whatever. Blankness is never good.

Averting her eyes from the man laying beside her, her pale eyes drifted over to the bedside table where a bottle of sake proudly stood. It was the same brand as Tsunade's. Never had she noticed this when she and Sasuke first entered. It must be one of Sasuke's stuff, she idly thought.

If she were being honest, Hinata had somehow knew to herself that Sasuke must be one of those guys who drink. There was nothing wrong with drinking, she too and even Hanabi had their fair shares especially when there were feasts by the Hyuga compound. Perhaps she needed a drink now, but she wouldn't ask him.

Not for pride, no, definitely not pride nor ego. One could even say that it's shyness. But if he's going to be bound with her 'til death parts them, Hinata knew that she should try to love him or would at least try to make friends with him.

Drinking sake would be a nice start.

Still eyeing the bottle of sake by the bedside table, Hinata bit her lip. It was only behind Sasuke, so when she slowly lowered her gaze, Hinata's pale eyes met his dark ones.

His visible eyebrow rose, but before she could muster another set of words, Sasuke sat straight and grabbed the bottle of sake. Drinking its contents, he shared a small glimpse at her before eyeing the bottle of his own.

After several audible swallows, Sasuke handed the bottle to her. And she knew to herself she could never say no. This was sake, and Sasuke was offering some — even if it's done without words.

Putting the comforter to her chest tightly, covering her exposed breasts, Hinata sat straight before looking at Sasuke in the eyes. His eyes were still on her, but there was nothing behind it. Just empty stares.

Grabbing the sake before drinking some of its contents, Hinata found herself wincing even though she never winced in those before. There was nothing else in the drink, she thought to herself, and even if Sasuke's saliva is flavored, she would have noticed earlier. . .after all they shared a rather long kiss.

"Thank you," Hinata softly said after drinking a rather large amount of the sake. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand shyly before saying, "I — I don't usually drink, but I just needed t-to ease m-my mind or something."

"Hn," Sasuke responded, slightly nodding his head to show that he understood. Reaching his hand out to take the bottle from her which she obligingly gave, he started, "I see no wrong in it."

"T-thanks."

That night, they took turns drinking the sake. None of them reached the drunk stage or even the tipsy stage, or maybe both were just too contained to feel anything at all. As Hinata took the last sip of the remaining sake, emptying all of its contents, she shared a look at Sasuke who wasn't looking at her at all. His eyes as usual were looking downwards.

Setting the sake aside, Hinata took full breaths before covering herself with the comforter up to her arms.

"Sleep, Hinata."

For several moments she doubt she could, but when her husband finally laid down beside her, shifting the balancing the distribution of their weights in the bed, she found herself looking at him. The comforter was all hers, seeing as she was pressed against the fabric, he would probably freeze to death.

"But you're cold," Hinata said softly. Looking down at the only covering she had in her body, she continued, "We could share this —"

"You need it more," Sasuke said, cutting her off. He put his hand before her eyes before ordering, "Now Hinata, sleep."