UPDATE: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THE ORIGINAL CHAPTERS THREE AND FOUR.

Here's chapter three. Thank you all for staying tuned, I hope to continue to update often.

This fic is rated M for a reason. Citris, but NOT PWP. It sort of has a plot. It has it's dark moments and is full of the angst of teenagers. I'll try to make it not completely emo, but I'm also trying to stay in character as well as I can. And we all know Sasuke... This fic will not be centered around any other pairings, because it's about Hinata. If I change my mind later (which is unlikely) it will only be because the plot demands it. Constructive critique is encouraged, but please don't just bash. Ex:

Critique: "You're plot is really sketchy and I think you made Kiba too brutal."

Bash: "This sucks."

Chapter 2: Torn Future/Lost Love

It was cold in that room. The room that was hundreds of years old and held the enmity of those both long dead and those yet to come. It was a cold room. When one stepped into that room it was immediately known that in some way the future was a little bit darker. Images of happiness and love did not exist in this place. It was as if it was another world made exclusively for the clan, for that was all that mattered when in that room.

She shivered as she entered, the moment her foot touched the floor the dread that she had tried to chase away returned with full force. His eyes seemed to look at her, as if she was the only thing in the world. She was exposed for all to see, her deepest darkest secrets, shames held out for scrutiny. He saw her and yet he did not. This was her father. The same cold quality that she had seen in her cousin's eyes was there. It was stronger. He would know everything she did not say just as Neji-niisan had. She bowed timidly before taking the short but endless route to the tea table.

This was the instant that heroes spoke of when they first confronted their worst fear. They spoke of the cold feeling that ran through their entire body when all hope of escape had abandoned them. Going forward when you knew it would lead to a painful death, but going forward none the less. Each step his eyes grew colder and the damp hair on her back made tiny streams of ice that dug into her skin. She saw the look in his eyes but did not have the courage to meet his glare. To do so would certainly mean death.

"G-good evening, Father." Her voice was unsteady but she continued to go through the motions of polite conversation that had been drilled into her since birth. It came almost without thinking, and had this been any other situation she might not have stuttered out the familiar words. "What is it t-that you need of me?" His face did not change, his lips did not move. The silence was more terrifying than his harsh words had ever been. She fought the urge to bring her hand to her lips. It was not proper to fidget, she could not make any mistakes now or the worse would happen.

"Sit down." The voice was cold and had an air of authority about it. The demand could not be ignored, the tone said much more than the words. It spoke volumes. The voice was not her father's, however. The man took a step and was no longer concealed in the shadow behind where she had come in. She meekly complied, wondering at how she descended in a controlled fashion and had not simply fallen. Her legs felt made of jelly and she sorely hoped she would be able to get back up again. Hiashi did not so much as nod in acknowledgement of Neji's presence. He looked the same as he had when she walked in the door. He had not moved once.

The tension hung thick in the air, so thick that it felt as if it was making the very air heavy and hard to breath. With each labored breath she willed herself to live. Breathe, just breath. In. Out. She focused on staying alive, staying conscious. She… She could live through this, she could not give up. Her first love had brought this quality out in her. Now it was so much a part of her that his face no longer came to mind when she forced herself to go on. The words that echoed through her head were her own, the strength was no longer borrowed from another. It came from within. She struggled with another lungful of soupy air. She fought to calm herself, she must. In. Out.

And then he spoke. "It seems…" The pause was so perfectly placed that it was impossible to tell if he stopped for thought or for dramatic effect. His cold eyes narrowed. He had never… His expression never changed when he spoke to her. But it did. "I have given you too much freedom." She choked on her lungful of air as the words left him out. As if they had poisoned the air, as if it no longer had the power to give life. All good leaked from the world in that moment. Cold terror rose up from her heart, terror that was not like what she felt when he scolded her for being weak. It was the terror that she had felt when she saw a young boy slaughter three people without even touching them. She never thought the feeling would return, but her own father had brought it back to life.

"I had thought to change the old ways after my brother died. Because of this, I have done all in my power to do so. Hanabi, who is the second born, was not branded with the curse seal. No one has been since his death. And you, my heir, would have been immediately betrothed to a man who would breed strength into the main house." Her eyes widened and she at last allowed her eyes to meet his. He… "It was a mistake on my part," He looked deep into her eyes, into her soul, striking fear. She knew what he would say next. "To think that you would take to an honorable marriage if left to your own devices. I have decided…" Please no, no. He couldn't. Anything but this. "That a marriage must be arranged by the end of the year, before another such… Incident occurs."

A half strangled cry escaped from her lips causing Neji to turn his glare on her. "P-Please, Father… I didn't—" His voice boomed forth, cutting off her desperate plea before she could start to argue her case. "Be quiet." His voice was sharp like a double edged blade but it cut deeper than any such blade could hope to reach.

"You will be engaged by the end of the year. You will be spoken for by the time you have reached adulthood or I will find you a suitor." She covered her mouth to capture the startled gasp that threatened to ruin everything. "You may leave now." He quickly got to his feet and left the room, not waiting for her to follow his request. It was an unexpected courtesy from him. He would not simply throw her out to live with a stranger. He was not completely heartless. Even though it was not the worst thing he could have done, the weight of her situation forced her to the floor once again.

Neji grabbed her arm tightly and jerked her at once to her feet. "Get up. You shame yourself to act this way after what Hiashi-sama has given you." She bit her bottom lip, how selfish she was being. She had been given another chance. Her fate was sealed, but he had not completely taken her will from her. She… She had to go forward. Her head nodded weakly and she put weight on her limp legs. This… This was the best she could hope for. She would find—She should go to Kiba and beg his forgiveness. Ask him to take her back, it would be the correct thing to do. To marry him and… No, she couldn't. Not after… She just couldn't.

She would go forward. She would continue like nothing had happened and then she would do her best to fall in love with someone before her eighteenth birthday. If not that then perhaps a marriage of convenience. Love might be too much to ask. It would be better if she did not love the man who would be her husband. Then she would never feel betrayed, she would simply bear with it. Now, however, she must go to her room. Living was what mattered at the moment, the rest would come later. Neji still gripped her arm, and the blood had drained from where he had cut off it's flow. "Neji-niisan…" He released her arm and stood there long enough to study her. Then he left, leaving her alone in the room that made her heart cold.

Hinata woke up to warm light streaming across her face. "Nng…" Her eyelids contracted in repulsion of the sudden change. Her alarm clock had not yet gone off; it was only four thirty. The sun had risen early. Finally ready to accept the new day, her eyes opened to the welcoming view of her ceiling. The previous night's activity hit her like a ton of bricks, the weight bearing down on her preventing her from sitting up. Relief washed over her leaving her feeling weak. That's right, starting today…

She stared blankly at the wood and paper panels above her head. She had to… Find someone to marry her before her eighteenth birthday, before this year was up. To just go out and search for someone like that would be… Dishonest. How could she do that to anyone? How could she even ask? A sad sigh passed her lips and she pressed her hands to her face. Maybe she could just block out the world, block out everything. It would be like she was little again, everything so simple. She could just hide behind her father's loose kimono or a cornered fence and she would be safe.

Her chest rose and slowly fell. She eliminated all thought from her mind and let her fingers fall from her face. And then she took control. Control of her fear, control of her life. She… She could do this—No. She would do this. Maybe she wouldn't be able to find someone in time, but whatever happened she would not give up. That was… Their way of the ninja. Forward. Forward.

How long? How long had it been, she wondered. Since she started dating Kiba? No, a few weeks after. She had been unable to go near him knowing that she had promised her thoughts to someone else. Kiba had asked her for a chance, how could she have refused? She could still hear his words clear as day when the prideful Kiba begged her for her time, her love.

"Please, Hinata! Just give me a chance." His eyes, usually so hard and unyielding, were now looking down at her with a myriad of emotions. Only a few she could name, perhaps pain? Sorrow? Loneliness? He had never looked at her this way, her face flushed. Asking her… How could anyone ask her such a thing?

"Ah—Bu—" She fumbled over the words even though she had none. One of her best and only friends was asking her… Asking her to be his… His…

"I know you like that idiot, Naruto, but if you just let me I can… I will prove to you that I can be just as good as he is. I'll be better! He's never even given you a second thought! I love you, Hinata, I will never make you regret being my girl!" His eyes were fierce, and fiercer when the one she admired's name slipped though his lips. He spat out the word like a curse, and harsh sounding words followed. When he said her name her face deepened several shades, his voice making her forget her need to defend Naruto against such words as idiot.

He took careful care when saying her name, making sure that each time was so soft that it could almost be mistaken for a breath. Softness, he knew, would be the only way he could compete with that brat. He was brazen in everything that he did while Kiba had lived his life around wild animals. To get close to one the slowest movements and gentle gestures was needed. Hinata was like an injured animal in this way. She had had a harsh life, and he knew that the first man to show her the warmth and kindness her family never had would sweep her off her feet.

A sad smile fell to her lips when she remembered that first time he had told her that he loved her. She had tried to turn him down, but found that she could not. She had rarely seen the other genin after that, especially the boys. He had not forbid her from seeing them; the other boys just never seemed to be around when Kiba took her places. Almost as if… But Kiba would not have done something like that.

Part of the reason had been herself. For the first month, she had seen none of the male genin besides Kiba and Shino. When she finally did run into Naruto… She had made herself leave. She had still felt for him, and it was wrong so she left. She had avoided him, avoided thinking about him, because she had not been able to turn Kiba down. It would have been like betraying him to think of another mans while they were together. He caught her once, and the look on his face had crushed her. She never wanted to be the source of such pain. She gave up her love for Naruto to make him happy, and she had not seen Naruto from that day on.

She shook her head lightly and continued to walk down the dirt road. After not seeing him for so long she could not help that her heart fluttered at the thought, but she tried to make it stop. She had given him up, she had stopped loving him. Hadn't she? It was true that she had not seen him at all so how could she be sure? It had been her choice to forget about him, he didn't think about her. Then why... Why did the prospect of seeing him again make her feel this way?

Now she was even less available than when she was with Kiba. The sudden thought put a damper on her mood. She'd only been dating Kiba, but now… She knew she'd be married by the end of the year. How could she even look at Naruto, much less spend time with him. She could have almost slouched with the weight of her depression. It's not like… Not like she could marry him. He'd never like someone like her, and even if he did she would only drag him down.

Her fathers words echoed in her head, the words of Neji during the chunin exams. The words of the elders, of everyone who spoke behind her back. When they thought she wasn't listening, she heard them. They said she was weak. She dragged them all down. It was her fault. But that wasn't true, she wouldn't let it be true. She had to work harder. Harder than she ever had before. She would be married by the end of the year, but she would not just give up. This she had decided for herself. When the time came she would be ready for anything thrown at her.

"Hinata-chan!" Anything but that. Her chest felt like it was about to burst, her lungs burned, her face burned. It was Naruto. Naruto after all this… And he was… Smiling. He was always smiling. That's why she loved—No. She didn't love him. She admired him. His smile, his determination, and his loyalty. Admired.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you in ages! Almost thought you up and died on us!" Laughter filled her ears, and his arm went behind his head in that familiar pose she had missed so much. It felt as if she would burn to death, all the blood in her body appearing to have defied the laws of gravity and gone straight to her face. The rest of her body went cold like the dead. She couldn't think straight, her mind was enflamed. The mere sight of him… Perhaps she had never stopped loving him after all… But she had loved Kiba. This couldn't be right…

Then again… The way Kiba had touched her, and when he held her hand. It had never felt remotely like this. She had never felt like this around Kiba. They had been close, she did love him. She loved him, even now. But it was a different… A different love than she was feeling. Naruto, now that she had seen him it all came rushing back to her. How should couldn't be near him and Kiba at the same time because… She loved him. And Kiba was like her brother. The reason why it hurt so much, what Kiba had done, was because it was a betrayal of their relationship. It turned what they had into something ugly. Filthy. Even with Naruto… She could not do those things. They were horrible.

The silence had lasted several minutes causing Naruto distress. The awkwardness of it went by unnoticed by Hinata because she was lost in her own dark realization. Meanwhile, Naruto's laughter had died. "Er… Hinata? Are you alright?" Reality immediately snapped back; a small squeak and she took several steps back before falling on her ass. He looked at her with a combination of confusion and acute concern. "Was it something I said?"

"N-n-n-no, Naruto-k-kun! I was j-just… Surprised! It- It's been so long!" The feeling of his offered hand in hers was a guilty pleasure. It had nothing to do with the actual contact, but rather the sense of closeness that she had not had in a long time. "T-Thank you, Naruto-kun…" She let the sentence trail off as the struggled to remember the reason she had come.

"No problem! What'cha doin' around here, Hinata-chan? Sakura-chan, Sasuke-teme and I were waiting for Kakashi-sensei to show up." For the first time realizing that they were not alone, Hinata bowed to the pink haired girl. The Uchiha, however, was not standing by the bridge. Before she could think any further on his absence, Naruto's voice interrupted once again. "Shouldn't you be training with Kiba and Shino?"

Her face fell slightly at the mention of Kiba's name, but it went unnoticed by her blonde love whose eyes were closed for some reason. He often closed his eyes when walking around or talking to people. It was a wonder he never crashed into anything. "I.. Well, I w-was wondering i-if… Maybe…" She poked her index fingers together, blushing as she refused to meet his gaze. His deep blue eyes were open and focused on her now and he leaned in closer with one hand cupping his ear to hear her better. She had not noticed that her voice had dropped considerably.

"C-could I…" The words were clear in her head, but her stupid, clumsy mouth just refused to cooperate. She fiddled with her fingers. Then she realized that the lunch boxes she had thought to bring were still lying on her kitchen counter. How could she be so stupid… Now she had nothing to offer in return for them allowing her to train with them… She sighed, distracted from her embarrassment by her sudden epiphany. Luckily, this allowed her to cool down enough to finally get her question out. "T-t-train with y-you three… Maybe…?" There, she had said it. She thought regretfully back to the uneaten lunches while staring unintentionally at Naruto's feet.

"Ah… What was that? I couldn't hear you; you're talking to my feet!" What was at first a genuine question turned to a playful tease. This did not help Hinata's condition at all. Still red with embarrassment, she started to attempt to repeat herself, but was interrupted again.

"She said…" A low voice came from behind her, causing her to spin on her heels to face the speaker. And she was face to neck with Sasuke Uchiha. "That she wants to train with us, dobe. Going deaf might have a negative impact on your career, Naruto."

Like previously stated, I try to be as in character as possible, so Hiashi will not be abusive or anything. It's true that he is very cold, but you never see him hit Hinata and I believe he cares for them at least a little bit since he didn't get Hanabi sealed like second children are. I don't know if it's because they wait to seal siblings until the older one actually takes the position as head of the family, but I made my own conclusions. Hiashi really did care for his brother, as seen when he bows to Neji after the exams. In any case, now the plot is basically laid out, but it's not perfectly cemented yet. Thank you for continuing to read, and I hope to have chapter four up soon. It will most likely not be as morbid/ depressing as these last few chapters have been since I like to balance stories out.

New: This is chapters three and four put together. New chapters will be four Word pages long and I am combining chapters 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 respectively. I hope you will continue to enjoy the story.