Holy macaroni! Inspiration hit me straight in the eye, and here's the result; A monster long chapter, I'm so proud! Enjoy :D

I don't own Naruto, just this story and the crappy plots.

Captured swan.

Hinata was rushing to her secret hiding spot. Her father was in a foul mood, and she knew only the sight of her would make it even worse. There was nothing else to do but take shelter, like when a storm was raging. Only Aya knew she was hiding in the bath, so it should be relatively safe. She wrapped a towel around her frail body and stepped into the hot water. This felt so good, the hot water loosening her tight muscles, and the fumes calming her nerves. She leaned her head against a rock, letting her hands slide through the water. Suddenly she heard someone moan from the other side, where the men's bath was. She turned quickly, and through a crack in the wooden fence, she saw Neji, leaning forward resting his head in his hands.

Hinata moved closer to the crack and said in a low voice; "Neji-nii-san?"

Neji turned his head a bit. "Oh, it's you Hinata-sama" he said when he noticed her eye in the small crack. He slid through the water to get closer to the crack. Hinata gasped.

"Neji-nii-san, what happened to your eye?"

Neji turned to get a better look at her. "What, this? This is nothing compared to my back."

When he mentioned it, besides from his eye, his back were covered in blue and red marks.

"Wh-what happened, Neji-nii-san?"

Neji sighed. "It's not so much what happened, it's rather who happened. Uncle thought this punishment suited me the best."

Hinata was horrified. Her father had actually beaten Neji, because of them going out that night!

"Neji-nii-san, I am so sorry… If I hadn't agreed to sneak out, this wouldn't have happened."

The usual stern look in Neji's eyes softened a bit when he looked at his cousin.

"Don't worry about me Hinata-sama, from what I've heard you're worse off than me."

Hinata felt a sting in her heart when she thought about the meeting with her future husband. Neji saw the pain in her features, and then he said something Hinata never thought he would.

"Hinata-sama I just want you to know, that whatever you decide, I support your decision."

Hinata smiled a small smile. "Thank you, Neji-nii-san."

o-o-o-o-o-o

"Hinata-sama, would you please stretch your arms out a bit more?"

Aya was holding a white kimono with a pattern of blue and pink flowers trailing down the sleeves. The pattern continued over the whole fabric, like branches. The silk felt cold against Hinata's skin as Aya slid the kimono on. Then she started to wrap the several meter long obi around her waist. The obi was much brighter than the kimono, deep red with golden threads stitched on it. When Aya fastened the obi on her back, it reached the floor. Hinata didn't feel comfortable.

"Do I really have to wear this Aya?" she said in a pleading voice.

"I'm sorry Hinata-sama, but it's Hyuuga-sama's wish. He wants you to look your best."

Hinata frowned. It was Saturday afternoon, and her husband-to-be would soon be there with his parents. The truth was that she didn't want to look good for this boy. But what could she do? She was terrified of her father. Oh how she wished she could go with Hanabi to that supplementary class her father had arranged. She almost lost her breath when the doorbell rang.

"Hinata-sama, he's here! Are you ready?" Aya was still of that belief that she should at least meet the boy.

All isn't lost yet, Hinata-sama! She had said. Maybe she was right.

"Chin up Hinata-sama, and good luck!"

Hinata went towards the staircases that lead to the entrance hall, trembling. She clasped her hands together to stop the trembling and to calm herself.

"Hinata would you please come downstairs?"

Hinata felt more like running away than listen to her fathers request, but she pulled herself together and walked down the stairs to stand beside her father. She didn't have the courage to look at their two guests before her father said; "Aburame Shibi-san, this is my oldest daughter Hinata."

Hinata felt her father push her forward.

"Pleased to meet you Hinata-chan, and might I present my son, Aburame Shino."

Hinata looked at the man and boy who both were clad in suits with high-collared shirts and dark sunglasses covering their eyes. Her first impression was that they looked like formal businessmen. Both father and son were tall and dark-haired. At least he doesn't look awful. Then her father nudged her again to make her respond. She clapped her hands together and bowed, first at the father and then at the son.

"I'm very pleased to meet you Aburame Shibi-san, Aburame Shino-san."

Then a servant stepped up bowing and motioning for them to follow him. He showed them into the second largest living room in the house that was on the first floor, with doors leading to the garden. They sat down on pillows at a low table where Hinata was supposed to pour them tea. She took the teapot, serving the guests first, then her father and at last herself.

"I'm glad you could find time for this meeting in your busy schedule, Aburame-san."

Aburame Shibi replied in a calm and collected manner; "When it comes to my son's future, I am never too busy Hyuuga-san."

"That's good to hear, because I am also thinking about my daughter's future. I think that your boy could provide what she needs."

"And just what is it that she needs, Hyuuga-san?"

Hinata lifted her cup to take a sip as she waited for her fathers reply. Her hands were trembling again, but she managed to keep it to a minimum.

"She is a woman that would become a good wife under the firm hand of a husband."

Hinata blushed slightly. What else could she do when her father was talking about her like that?

She could feel Shibi measuring her up and down.

"Why don't I show you around the estate, Aburame-san?"

As Aburame accompanied her father outside, she realized that it left her and Shino alone! A painful silence stretched out. Hinata couldn't figure out anything to say. She was startled when Shino cleared his throat.

"So, I figure you don't want to do this any more than I do, Hinata-san?"

This surprised Hinata. "I-I Don't…"

Shino leaned towards her over the table. "I can tell by just looking at you." Hinata looked at him. He had the same calm and collected aura that his father had. She felt she could trust him. "I don't want to get married.. B-but my father…" Shino pulled back. "I don't know how to get us out of this, but we'll think of something." Hinata felt a bit relieved. "I wish I could believe that, but my father isn't a man who goes back on his word." Shino nodded. "We'll just have to go along with it for now. It's not like they're planning to have the wedding tomorrow." Hinata smiled.

"We will have to go over the detail the next time we meet, Aburame-san."

"Yes, that we will Hyuuga-san. It's been a pleasure to meet your lovely daughter."

Hinata bowed and the fathers shook hands. She saw that Shino nodded to her, and she allowed herself a small smile.

Hiashi turned to Hinata when the door closed behind the Aburames.

"If all goes well, we will announce your engagement at the after party of the annual dance performance of the academy. I suggest that you spend all your spare time practicing, as I won't allow any more disrespect from you."

Hinata bowed to her father, and without stuttering she simply replied; "Hai outo-sama."

o-o-o-o-o-o

"Hey Hinata! How about that date, wanna come tonight?

Hinata stared at her phone. It was one week after she met Shino and his dad, and now Naruto wanted her to come see him at the diner.

I know it's worth it!

She called for Aya to come to her room.

"Aya, I have a favour to ask."

Aya curtsied and said; "Anything for you Hinata-sama."

Hinata was determined to see Naruto again, and she was even willing to risk having her fathers rage over her again.

"I need you to tell outo-sama that I am not feeling well, and that I will be staying in my room, resting."

Aya looked at her curiously. "If I may ask, Hinata-sama, what are you up to?"

Hinata smiled nervously. "I want to go out to see a friend."

"I see." Aya winked at her; "I'll see what I can do."

Hinata smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much, Aya."

o-o-o-o-o-o

Hinata rushed down the street towards the cinema where they had been a couple of weeks before. She had been really lucky, as her father was out for the evening taking care of business. When Naruto had told her the name of the diner, she immediately knew where it was, because her mother used to take her there all the time to buy ice cream. The diner named Hal's was indeed small, but the service was good and the food was even better. She wondered how long Naruto had been working there.

If I knew he was there, I would have gone there more often.

Hinata felt herself blush and she was glad it was could outside, so nobody would notice. The doorbell rang as she pushed open the door. There was nobody inside, except for an old man, sitting in a corner booth, eating a hamburger. She didn't see Naruto anywhere, so she went to sit down on one of the red stools at the counter. She picked up the big menu, to entertain herself for a while.

"Welcome to Hal's, what can I get'cha?"

Hinata lowered the menu and looked straight into Naruto's bright blue eyes.

"Hinata! Why are you hiding?" He flashed a foxy grin.

"Um, I-I wasn't hiding Naruto-kun. It-it's just that you weren't here, and…"

Naruto laughed. "Oh, don't mind me, I was just kidding."

Hinata smiled.

"Hey, do that again!"

"Do what?" Hinata asked confused.

"You know, smile! You look pretty cute when you do!"

Hinata flushed to a nice shade of pink, feeling very silly as she did. But Naruto didn't seem to notice it.

"Hey, I'm about to close up now, do you want anything while waiting?"

Hinata blushed even more. "I didn't bring any money with me..." How could I forget about that!

"That's alright, it's on the house!" He winked at her.

"Th-thank you…"

"No stress, no stress! So whaddaya say to a milkshake?"

"O-ok."

"One Naruto special then!"

She watched Naruto clean the tables and locking the money from the cashier into a big safe. The old man got up to leave, and like a whirlwind Naruto ran over to clean his table.

"Thanks for the visit jii-san!"

"I'll be checking up on you, Naruto" he said.

"Yeah, yeah, now get out of here ero-sennin."

"I thought I told you not to call me that." The man hit Naruto over the head.

"Ite!"

"Serves you right, you rude little brat." The old man laughed as he left, the doorbell ringing again.

Naruto went behind the counter mumbling, rubbing his head.

Hinata was curious towards the old man and his weird behaviour, so she decided to ask Naruto.

"Ano, Naruto-kun, who was that jii-san?"

Naruto popped up from behind the counter where he had been stocking some plates.

"Ah, that's just my caretaker. I live by myself you see, and he comes to check up on me every once in a while, to see if I'm ok and stuff."

Hinata was a bit surprised that he lived alone, because he was so young.

"Wow, that's a little impressive Naruto-kun."

"Ya think? How so?"

"Well, I-I don't think I could live alone..." The thought was a bit scary.

"It's ok really. I have my caretaker Jiraya, and my friends, so I don't get lonely."

"You make it sound nice…"

Naruto smiled. "Oh well, it could've been worse. It's not like I live in a box!"

I wonder how his place looks like...

o-o-o-o-o-o

"Shit, it's really pouring down!"

They had been walking randomly around the city for a while when suddenly it started raining. It rained so hard that it bounced off the ground, making an umbrella totally useless, not that they had one anyways.

"Why don't we go to my place, it's really close by!"

He grabbed her hand, and she had no choice but to start running to keep up with him.

His hand is so warm! How is that possible, when it's raining like this!

She was a bit disappointed when he let go of her hand to unlock the door. He fidgeted for a while, and then he dropped the keys on the ground.

"Aaaw man, come on!"

Finally, he got the door open and they leaped inside.

"Just my luck that it would start raining today" he said as he shook his blonde head to get some water out of it. "Come on, I live on the third floor, so the journey continues."

Hinata giggled as she followed him up the stairs. Naruto was humming 'Never-ending story'.

"Here we are!"

They stopped in front of a door with the number four on it. The number of doors continued far down the hallway. Hinata had actually never been in an apartment complex before, so this was new to her.

Hinata turned to see Naruto standing in the doorframe waiting for her.

"It's nothing big, and it's kinda messy, but it's dry and warm!"

He stepped aside to let her in. It was somewhat small but she liked it. It was all in one big room had a kitchen close to the main entrance. Further in was a couch, a bed and a TV-set.

Opposite the kitchen, there was a door who she guessed lead to the bathroom.

"I-I think it's nice."

Naruto grinned. "Glad you like it." He looked at her; "Man we're drenched!"

Then he started to rummage through a closet standing next to the bathroom door.

"Here we are! I need to change, and so do you. Don't wanna get sick!"

He handed her a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

"You go change in the bathroom, I'll change in here."

Hinata just nodded and went to change. His bathroom was indeed messy, but she thought it was cute. A lonely shoe was resting on top of a pile of magazines, and a shirt was hanging over the shower-curtain poll. She changed into his jeans that were definitely too big, but she found a leather belt she figured she'd borrow too. The shirt that was purple with yellow letters that she couldn't read, fitted her rather nicely. She had to fold the legs of the jeans up so she wouldn't trip.

I can't believe I'm wearing his clothes!

They did smell of him, she figured. She hugged herself, as if she was hugging him.

Wish I had the nerve to do that. I bet he'd think I was insane or something.

Naruto had just pulled the dry shirt over his head when the bathroom door opened. He turned to look at Hinata and his mouth fell open.

Oh... My... God! She's so cute!

The pants were really baggy on her little figure, but the t-shirt was tight and showed of her small waist. Was it even possible to look so good!

"Um, Naruto-kun, do I look weird?"

Naruto pulled himself together. "What? Of course not, you look really good!"

She pulled a little on the t-shirt. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, you look just like a hip-hop girl! I had forgotten that I had that shirt. I washed it in too hot water and it shrank a lot! But it has come to use now." He smiled.

She would look incredible in anything tho'.

Hinata blushed and tugged the shirt nervously.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Hinata almost pinched herself. They were sitting on Naruto's bed watching TV and eating some leftovers (Chinese food), that Naruto had in the fridge. She didn't pay attention to the TV tho' because she was too busy looking at Naruto at the corner of her eye. He was laughing at something on the show, and he was so incredibly cute. She absolutely loved his laughter. It was literally contagious; she couldn't help but laugh herself. Naruto suddenly turned to look at her and she tried to pretend to be watching the show.

I hope he didn't catch me!

"Hey Hinata, you got something there."

He reached out and pretended to be brushing away some food on her cheek. He let his hand cup her cheek, and then he turned her head towards him. He ran a finger down her neck, and she shivered. He just smiled at this. He let his hand slip into her moist and soft hair, and then he leaned forward catching her lips with his. Hinata couldn't believe this!

He's kissing me!

Her eyes widened out, but then she closed them and moaned a bit, letting her own hand slide into the mess of Naruto's hair. She put her other arm around his neck, pulling him closer. She wanted him as close as possible. She wanted to feel his warmth, and to show him how much she liked him. It was as if it lasted forever, at least she wanted it to.

When they stopped to breathe, he let his fingers trace her jaw line, smiling. Then she spotted his alarm clock. 00.30 am.

"Oh no, I should get home!"

She got up, but he pulled her arm, making her fall down again.

"You can't go outside in that weather!"

"But if father finds out…"

"You're already here, aren't you? Besides, there's now way I'm letting you go now."

He had a very serious look on his face.

"I've just found you and I'm not letting you go."

Hinata tried to get up. "But..."

"No buts. I'll take the couch, and you take my bed."

She couldn't take his bed! That would be rude!

"I-I'll be fine on the couch, Naruto-kun."

"No way am I letting my hime-sama sleep on some petty couch!"

He stood up and did what he thought was a prince-like bow, but he lost his balance and fell flat on the floor. Hinata couldn't help herself but laugh. She laughed so much that she fell on his bed, holding her sides. Naruto got up into a sitting position, resting his head in his hands on the bedside.

"That's mean, laughing at me when I fall." He did a child-like pout.

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun. But it looked so weird!"

He poked her. "Mean, mean!"

She laughed even more when he did that, because she was very ticklish.

Later, when she was in Naruto's bed, she couldn't sleep. Her stomach was in uproar in parallel with the events that day.

I've never been so happy

o-o-o-o-o-o

(A/N) So did ya like my fluffy scene? huh, huh:D I know Shino is OOC.

I still can't believe I wrote this long. :D

Thank you so much for your reviews! Keep them coming! A review a day keeps the writer block away! (Make that many reviews)