Diclaimer: I don't own anything. Nope, nothing at all.
Summary: She signed. "You're not the devil, Naruto." He glanced at her, grinning. "He's just a very close relative."
Pairing: NaruHina.
Warning: Possible Sexual Themes.
Notes: I know this seems like a really quick update, but I'm a total guilt writer. Once I know I left things at a cliffhanger, I start to feel bad and begin to write. Haha, I think reviews are what really do it for me. Thanks to all of you who've written in your opinions! I really appreciate it.
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The tea scalded her tongue, but Hinata ignored the burning sensation. She longed for a small distraction to come into the room, to break the silence between her and her mother.
"I don't understand how you can be so uncaring about your father's death, Hinata."
Hinata raised the cup to her lips again, and closed her eyes.
"If I were you, knowing I had caused it…I wouldn't have been so heartless."
Aiko stood from her chair, and walked over to her daughter. She grabbed her face roughly and lifted her face to look at her. Hinata directed her eyes away from her mother, resulting in a loud slap across her cheeks.
"You're going to ruin this family, you stupid bitch. Even your sister, a bastard child, has more common sense."
Hinata felt her eyes stinging, but she stood and walked towards the door. Just before leaving, she looked at her mother's shaking figure, "I may not be the horrible slut you are, Mother, but I will not be caged in." She walked quickly across the hall to her room, ignoring Hanabi's calls.
When she arrived to her bedroom, she sat on her bed as the maids left quickly. Falling back against the pillows, she longingly ached to feel the gold ring against her finger once again.
"Hinata…"
Hanabi entered her bedroom quietly, standing against the door nervously. "Are…are you ever going to forgive me, sister?"
Hinata sat up abruptly and looked at Hanabi. "Do you think this is some sort of game?" She shook her head in disbelief. "We aren't children anymore, and I can't just forget about a small knee scrape."
Neither was aware of how much time passed between them before Hinata spoke again. "I may never see him again." When she began to cry softly, Hanabi sat next to her and put her arms around her. "Are you in love with him, Hina?" When she shook her head, she looked at her sister questioningly.
"I just…I feel like it's the first time I was really needed." She sighed, wiping away her tears. "He may not have said anything, but he needed me…and I felt like I was finally useful for something."
"Did he ever explain to you why he proposed?"
Hinata shook her head. "He didn't need to. He knew I didn't want to be married to the Lord, and he needed a wife and title to maintain his fortune." When Hanabi nodded, she continued. "I didn't mind the reasons, since mines were not any better, really."
She smiled, "Something happened on the carriage ride…I don't know what it was. We somehow, I don't know how to explain it…"
"You work well together?" Hinata laughed, "You may call it that, yes." She cleared her throat, and stood to walk to her vanity. Hanabi still sat at the bed, looking at her. "Hinata…may I ask you a more personal question…?"
She looked at Hinata, blushing slightly. "Did Lord Uzumaki…ever…did he ever-," She coughed nervously, and covered her face when Hinata laughed.
"We never had intercourse." Trying to forget about the way he touched her, Hinata tried to concentrate on her hair. "He stopped himself." She turned around, ignoring the small pink-hue on her cheeks. "Hanabi…promise me this."
"Anything, sister."
Hinata put down her brush, and sighed. "We will lie to mother, and she won't ever know Naruto never took my virginity."
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Naruto sat in his study, a bottle of Brandy in hand. He ignored the small throbbing of his head, and refilled his cup. Sasuke sat across from him, and they both rubbed at their drumming heads. "What are you going to do now?"
A small groan escaped the golden-haired young man, and Sasuke sighed. "You've created quite a mess here. Are you going to annul the marriage?"
When no reply came, "You're going to have to speak to her first."
"No."
Sasuke rolled his eyes, "You have to, Naruto. What? You're not going to ever talk to her again?"
"Yes."
"Why not, if I may ask?"
Naruto lifted his head lazily, drinking from his cup of Brandy. "What am I going to say to her? Oh, I'm not sorry I married you…but you're spinster mother isn't going to allow you to continue it."
Sasuke grinned, and stood up. Walking over to Naruto, he pat his head and ignored the small shove he was given. "Sometimes, my dear friend…you have to ignore your pride and just admit she's worth it."
Naruto snorted, laughing. "You would know."
Sasuke laughed softly, "I…unlike you, sometimes know when to admit Sakura is right. Especially with Sakura."
Naruto smiled, thinking of his childhood crush. "How's the baby?"
"She's eating everything, and has somehow developed your lungs. I've lost hours of sleep…but she's the most wonderful thing I've ever had in my entire life."
Returning the pat on the head that Sasuke gave him earlier, he ducked under the quick arm. "You're turning into a marshmallow."
Sasuke drank the last of his brandy, "Says, Mr. I-can't-face-a-woman."
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Nina, the young maid, folded the letter in her hand nervously. "My lady…"
Hinata turned her head to face the small girl, and she smiled warmly at her. "Yes, nina?"
"A letter arrived for you today…it is of fine paper, and it has a wax seal."
Hinata looked at her quizzically, confused. "Do you recognize the seal?"
When she shook her head, Hinata held out her hand and took the letter. Observing the intricate U, she recognized the Uchiha Household seal. Smiling, she opened the letters contents.
Dear Miss Hinata,
It is with delight that I am able to welcome you to join us in the upcoming season. I must confess, out of curiosity…that we may have much to speak about at your hopeful arrival to the Uchiha Manor…
Hinata finished reading the letter, and smiled at Sakura's subtle way of asking for gossip. Not knowing whether Naruto would be there or not worried her, but she knew she'd have to face him one day.
Sitting down at her desk, she picked up her pen and dipped it into a small pot of ink. She smiled as she wrote her reply, knowing well that Sakura was awaiting it at any moment.
Dear Mister and Misses Uchiha…
It is with delight also, that I accept your invitation to the Uchiha Manor…
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4 Months Later
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The elegant carriage sent to her home finally arrive just outside Uchiha Manor at mid-day. Hanabi and Hinata looked out the window as the footmen tended to the horses, and Hinata felt tired but happy at her arrival. "Oh…my," She breathed as she looked at the immense mansion. She could never get over it's beauty.
As they stepped out of the carriage, they walked through the small path leading to the front of the large manor. When a butler greeted them at the door, Hinata smiled and spoke to him about the letter. He seemed to recognize her from earlier visits, and led them to the entrance hall where everyone was lounging.
When Sakura spotted them, she stood up quickly and laughed with delight. "Oh Hinata, finally. Someone refreshing."
She smiled at Hanabi and turned to face the others in the room. "Everyone, this is Hinata and Hanabi Hyuuga." With a round of 'hello's, they all smiled at her.
"You have quite the lovely friend, Lady Uchiha." Hinata blushed at the comment made from Lord Endor at the edge of the card table. A chorus of laughs went around the table, and Sakura grinned.
"Hinata, from your right are the Lords Enor, Rust, and Wither. As you can see, my husband is sulking on the left corner, and to his side is Lord Uzumaki, who has apparently taken a like for the dark."
Hinata felt her heart speed up rapidly, and her mouth suddenly felt dry. Naruto bowed to her as all the others, but he made no indication of ever knowing her, his blue eyes directly looking into hers.
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Until Next Time,
Darkofthenight.