Title : Ceremony : Part 2.
Father, I'm getting married today. I miss you, and Hanabi ever so much…
Knowing that going back is not an option, father I ask for your blessings. Please be proud of your daughter. Just this one time…
Hinata Hyuga was to be married in the next hour, and to say that she was nervous would be a gross understatement. She had experienced a rather tiresome day throughout the morning, and no one in the Suna tower could answer her desperate call for help. Everyone was too busy with preparations and decorations for the wedding that was to take place in the next hour.
Now clad in her bridal attire, the young woman strode outside her bedroom bashfully with Tenten beside her and Matsuri following close behind. The brunette never left the bride's side and the latter was grateful to her cousin-in-law. What had she done to deserve such a loving in law?
Whilst striding along the seemingly large corridor, Hinata's thoughts drifted away to her home back in Konohagakure. She knew all her memories – childhood and adulthood- were connected to the Leaf Village, and she cherished each and every memory experienced. More specifically, her thoughts drifted and focused on a certain blond haired ninja whom she had been fond of, for as long as she could remember. Hinata would have waited for Naruto, had he not been so besotted with Sakura Haruno, the pink haired medical ninja of Konoha. She knew that Sakura was the female heartthrob of many ninjas, whilst she was an ordinary looking woman. She could never compete with the medical ninja. Could she?
With such mindless thoughts swimming in the bride's mind, Hinata came back to reality when she realized that she had reached the top of the banister, from which she could make a grand entrance down into the large hall below. Glancing downwards, Hinata saw various people gathered for the respected wedding – she realized that all these people were loyal subjects to the leader, and they were immensely excited to attend their Kage's wedding. After all, they respected him. Right?
Temari, the eldest Sabaku sibling stopped dead on her tracks. She simply wanted the people's attention towards her, whilst making an announcement, and thus clearing her throat twice, she started "Lady Hinata Hyuga, eldest daughter of Hiashi Hyuga coming from our allied village, Konohagakure." Her gaze was stoic yet it was authoritative, enabling to captivate even the servants' attention. Hinata suddenly noticed the crowd growing increasingly hostile, and sympathetic. They showed outward happiness just for the sake of it, but she could sense their sympathy and hostility towards her. She was an outsider.
Suddenly the air around her became extremely cold, as if the temperature itself had dropped tremendously, and it made her shiver inwardly. However, she made an effort not to falter, especially when her cousin flashed her a rare sighted smile up at her.
Deciding to focus her gaze at the few supportive people in her life, Hinata walked down the staircase whilst holding onto the wooden banister as if it were the only piece of furniture keeping her from losing balance and tumbling down the stairs.
Temari had long glided down the stairs, and taken her place beside Shikamaru who was looking rather dashing in a black tuxedo suit, despite the traditional attire of Suna.
"You look lovely, Hinata." Neji took his cousin's trembling hand, and kissed her on the forehead upon her landing and then embraced his wife, Tenten. They looked like an unfit couple, but without whom, Hinata would have been presumably lost in the Hyuga household. Tenten was this strong and independent woman while Neji was always stoic to everyone around him. Despite the vast difference in their personality, they were perfect for one another.
While being escorted towards the wedding hall, Hinata walked slower than usual causing Neji to slow down his own pace. He did not feel the need to interrogate, for he could somewhat understand her plight. Tenten followed close behind, like the uncredited bridesmaid, but all the while worrying about the young bride. She knew just how hard all this had been for Hinata, and felt a pang of sympathy for her.
Entering the wedding hall, Hinata's gaze quickly darted towards the interior of the room – she admitted that it was not the kind of wedding decoration she had planned for mentally, but it was not terrible. The upholstery and decorations of the room looked out of place, in comparison to the dull, hostile appearance of the other rooms of the tower, but yet it did not fail to amaze her.
The room was lit, rather dimly in her opinion, with three large crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, which made the room look regal with the huge crimson upholstered curtains covering the windows and blocking the sunlight. It would have looked rather creepy, had it not been for all the various vases of flowers, and bouquets being kept on all four sides of the room. There was adequate seating arrangement on both sides of the aisle, which was bedded with red and white rose petals beneath a crimson colored carpet that lay proud. Architectural pillars on four sides of the room, enhanced the regal appearance of the room.
Tearing her gaze away from the room interiors, Hinata then glanced at the very few familiar faces amongst the people standing at the foot of the aisle. She recognized Temari's tiny smile, and Shikamaru's pained expression next to the blond. Hinata also recognized Kankuro's grinning expression and Azuma's humble face. Out of all these people, the older Sabaku brother was the only one successful at making her smile for the first time that day.
Her smile however, was quickly wiped off when she set her gaze on the man standing at the end of the aisle. Her legs seemingly grew weak, as she slowly took her place beside the man.
Gaara Sabaku looked prestigious in his Kage attire. Wearing, a navy blue coat beneath crisp white robes which were held in place by a white sash belt, the leader of Suna stood proud, and confident.
Neji and Tenten took their place beside a couple of important looking Council members, and watched the bride intently, waiting to defend her should she need any assistance.
Hinata was aware of her weakness, and how her entire body had suddenly transformed into a shaking form, and suddenly she started experiencing light-headedness. Had she bothered to eat something in the morning, she would not have felt like this during such a crucial time. Nonetheless, Gaara sensed her nervousness, and glanced at her from the corner of his black-rimmed eyes. Slowly but surely, he snaked his strong, muscular arm around her fragile and frail arm, and held her tightly in place. He knew that she required assistance and physical support, unless he wanted her sprawled out on the floor unconscious. And for this, he hoped in the faintest part of his mind, that she would be grateful.
An old man standing opposite the duo, clad in traditional Suna attire, cleared his throat instantly taking up the bride's full attention and she could not help but feel the impending fear consume her to the point of extremity. Desperately trying to search for something to soothe her agitated nerves, Hinata's trembling mind drifted away to her memories in Konoha. How, she had witnessed her first injury from training, and how she had watched Naruto train for the first time, behind a bush. They did not completely cure her of her fear, but they certainly numbed the feeling.
When the older man had ranted on about the marriage vows, Hinata could not fathom. Her mind was elsewhere, but she returned to reality just in time to hear his hoarse, yet gentle voice ask, "And do you, Hinata Hyuga, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
This is it.
"I do." The bride could barely manage the words, without shaking, but it was enough to satisfy the man standing opposite. He smiled a rather creepy looking smile, exposing his crooked teeth.
"With the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife," he started rather loud but ended his speech short due to an impending cough escaping his lips, "You may now exchange the rings."
Immediately, a humble looking servant carrying a salver with two rings came forward. He handed a rather delicate looking diamond ring to the Suna leader, who then released his wife and gestured her to hold out her left hand. Hinata did as she was asked, and watched in awe as he slipped the solitaire ring around her wedding finger. Right after he did, the servant moved towards the bride and handed her a plain looking platinum ring band, which she timidly slipped around his calloused and long finger.
It is over.
Loud cheers quickly engulfed and consumed the atmosphere of the wedding room. Hinata glanced at the man standing beside her, and noticed that his strong features were distinguished, but his pale skin looked twice as pale than usual. She noticed that he had stiffened, and that his body was tense.
She could not blame the man, for she herself had been going through a mental battle of dropping it all and just escaping as the runway bride of Suna, and thereby thoroughly bringing disgrace to the Hyuga clan. But she would hold onto her freedom right? Then again, a part of her mind, screamed at her to follow the orders and a give a chance at marriage.
But it had been done. The exchange of vows, the exchange of rings. She could not run away now. Besides, Gaara seemed to have made an effort, and she did not want his effort to go to waste. There was no turning back now, she simply had to make a life here in Suna with this man. Going back would not be a feasible option.
*Later, that Evening*
Hinata sat motionless, in front of her vanity mirror, while Matsuri busied herself in pinning up the bride's hair in an intricate fashion. The pale eyed woman's attention was elsewhere, and thus she did not bother to cover herself upon allowing the night robe to expose her skin. Her mind was elsewhere, and it was eating her up alive.
She knew a marriage would not be of any value unless a proper consummation had taken place. Being the elder sister in the Hyuga household, Hinata knew a little something about intercourse and she had shared her intimate thoughts regarding Naruto Uzumaki, with Hanabi back then. Always dreaming and hoping to be able to marry her childhood crush, Hinata had been excited to share her thoughts. Often she thought of Naruto in the most explicit way possible, standing naked under a shower. It would make her blush red like a tomato, but it never failed to make her feel content. Thinking of him nude, Hinata would always feel a deep satisfying sensation in the pit of her stomach.
Flashback :
"Missionary is the best position if you want to submit completely!" Hanabi, the younger sister of the two giggled whilst allowing Hinata to tie her hair in a neat braid. The two sisters had been spending the night together in the elder Hyuga's bedroom and to make sure no one barged in on their intimate conversations, Hanabi made sure to lock the door.
"H-H-Hanabi, how do you know all this?!" Hinata's cascade of indigo locks were no saving grace to cover her flushing cheeks. Sometimes, she wondered whether the statements made by Hanabi, were actually true.
"Kakashi-sensei's book! I stole it this one time!" Hanabi retorted good naturedly , in response to her oneechan's question.
"…"
"Okay okay! Misaki told me during one of our training sessions." The younger Hyuga giggled again, causing Hinata to let out an exasperated sigh. She was moving too much, preventing Hinata from being able to separate the hair into three equal sections.
"You know what else, oneechan?"
"Hmmm?" Hinata's absentminded moan, only made Hanabi a lot more determined, for what came next threw the older Hyuga completely off track.
"I hear that, unless the husband releases inside, it's not considered a proper consummation! Is that true oneechan?"
Hinata's hands dropped at that, and her eyes widened as she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She had no response to her sister's question, for she had no clue on it either. More importantly, she was appalled at Hanabi's knowledge and lack of shyness to speak her mind.
"H-H-Hanabi, you are incorrigible!" she exclaimed, unable to speak any further. Hanabi however, only laughed in response. She enjoyed getting such reactions out of Hinata, for she found it very amusing that her elder sister should shy away from such topics.
Soon enough, Hinata joined in, on the laughing riot.
End of flashback ;
Sighing heavily, Hinata glanced up at the mirror to gaze at herself. The make up from the afternoon ceremony had not been wiped out of her face, and surprisingly the effect was still fresh on her face. However, the dark color was made to be removed from her lips for it was too loud for the events of the night.
Having completed her work of art, Matsuri bowed and took her leave from Hinata's bedchamber, leaving her alone. The young bride got up and walked up to the enormous chevron mirror standing proud against a pillar by the wall – she glanced at herself suspiciously, wondering why Tenten and Temari had forced her into such turmoil earlier.
They had entered her room, under the pretext of wanting to give her a wedding gift, something that they had picked out together despite their difference in personality. Hinata was glad that the ice queen of Suna and her cousin-in-law, were getting along, but as she unwrapped her 'gift, the poor woman's horrors started coming true. The more she gazed at the contents of the gift box, the more she wished that she could stab the brunette woman with two buns. How could they betray her like this?
Holding up the skimpy piece of cloth, Hinata stared in horror as she realized that the cloth was fully transparent and embroidered in black lace.
Yes, she was gifted with lingerie.
The lingerie, really was a three piece set. One piece was a pair of black lacey thongs that made underwear seem complicated to the bride. The other piece, being the main ensemble of the lingerie set, had made Hinata gape at that time – it was strappy, extremely lacey and very transparent. There lacked any pads to cover the breast, and the night-dress ended just a few inches below the upper thigh, with a long slit on one side. The third piece, which completed the entire set, was a white silken robe in contrast to the black lacey material beneath.
"You will definitely catch his attention!" Tenten had squealed, when Hinata emerged outside from the washroom, wearing the three piece lingerie. Her cheeks grew shades of red, and she could not meet her gaze to either of the women in her room.
Now alone in her room, Hinata stared at herself in the chevron mirror, twirling a little to judge the effects. Slowly sliding down the silken robe from her bare shoulders, the young woman assessed her appearance. The lace negligee had, true to Hinata's idea, ended dangerously, just a few inches below her upper thighs and would very easily expose her creamy skin should she dare to bend. Nonetheless, the dress hugged her tiny form which accentuated her curves extremely well, in comparison to the baggy jumper that she normally donned. The negligee too, was cut deep enough at the neck to expose a considerable amount of cleavage and this made Hinata extremely uncomfortable- but she could not help but feel sultry to the faintest extent.
Her little fashion moment was cut short, when she heard a soft knock on her bedroom door.
Gasping, Hinata quickly slipped on her robe, and tied it in place with the help of a sash, before striding towards the door. "W-Who is it?" she cried out, loud enough for the person on the other end to hear.
"Lady Hinata, it is me." At once, Hinata jumped a foot. She started trembling visibly, and suddenly very conscious of her appearance, she pulled up the dress closer to her neck but to less avail. It still exposed her cleavage rather well.
Tip-toeing closer towards the door, Hinata unlocked the door with a slight 'click', and opened the door.
Teal orbs met with pearlescent ones, and the young woman could feel her face beginning to grow red. Entering inside her lair, Gaara slowly walked towards his wife with his gaze gradually lowering to her body. He studied how the silk robe was preventing him from looking at her, but realized that he could stare at her cleavage all he wanted. Hinata was looking rather gorgeous in her current state, and he could not help but stare.
"A-Ano.. Lord G-Gaara… Did you need something?" Hinata could feel her husband's gaze on her, but did not have the courage to look at him. She gazed at the floor while poking her slender fingers together, a habit she had acquired since childhood.
Gaara's gaze lifted towards her radiant face, and he took in her soft features before finally responding, in a soft, ragged, raspy voice.
"Call me Gaara."
A/N : This one was really long and took me houuuurs to complete! I was pretty upset with what happened yesterday, but I tried to make this chapter seem readable! Again sorry if I made any mistakes! Thanks for all the reviews, and understanding my situation yesterday. You guys rock! :3
P.S I know that the marriage mentioned here is a little.. different. But I figured since this is fiction and a marriage in Suna, why not write it differently? I hope you liked this chapter.
Please review, and favorite/follow, and much love to you, all! Xoxo.