hinata

I do not own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.

Chapter Two: Will I play?

Hyuuga Hinata starred, wide-eyed, with a shocked expression plastered on her face, at the tiny sheet of paper. It was so insignificant; yet one simple statement written on it would devastate her world: "The game determines your mate."

Her mouth went dry as she caught one of the sentences: "There is no turning back if this application is chosen by the Hokage."

Her eyes nearly popped out as she took in the entire sheet of paper, from the bold print on top reading "GAME APPLICATION," to her neat signature (which she did NOT remember signing) at the bottom of the page.

"Hinata!"

Her head snapped up. The tall male figure stood before her with a disapproving look on his face.

"F-Father!" she said breathlessly, she had forgotten he was in the room.

"You are to go to the Hokage towers immediately."

"Um, Father. About this…" she held up the paper.

He continued as if he hadn't heard her, "Once you get there you will travel straight to the Hokage's office to speak with her personally."

"Father I-"

"You will give her this." He held out a small white envelope.

Hinata stood silently starring at the floor, frustrated.

"Take it!"

She did as she was told.

"I.. um. Well,.." she didn't know how to begin.

"If you're having trouble putting together a sentence," her father spoke, condescendingly, "then think it through on your way to the Hokage towers. Tell me after you have turned in your application.

"B-But Father. I- er, would it be ok-kay if I didn't," she inhaled deeply, "p-participate?"

Silence.

"Excuse me?" Hiashi's face mirrored that of a raging bull seeing red, "If you didn't what?!" The signature veins of Byakugan made themselves known around his eyes. " I am being more than generous by allowing you to participate! This is the only way to ensure that the next generation of Hyuuga will be stong shinobi. Unless you want to keep the bloodline undiluted and marry Neji. That is your only other option."

"My c-cousin or a t-total stranger. Got it" Hinata bowed her head low and turned around and headed for her room.

" If you do not turn that application in today you will never be welcome on this compound."

She stopped, turned and bowed her head low, "yes, Father."

And so Hinata trailed off the Hyuuga compound to do as her Father told her.

She always did as she was told.

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It was a short and lonely walk to the Hokage towers. With every step Hinata took the feeling of dread grew heavier and heavier. Until she finally reached the steps of the building, at that moment she wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. She had always had dreams of falling in love with Mr. Right. Not competing in a game just to end up with Mr. Wrong.

She sighed heavily, "You can do this Hinata. You might not even get chosen."

That thought cheered her up. It was the only thing that kept her from sinking into an even deeper depression as she read the sign on the elevator that said "Out of order. Please take stairs."

The climb up the stairs to the very top floor had her thinking maybe she could convince the Hokage not to pick her. She'd do anything, free missions, secretary work- anything. It was bad enough that she didn't remember half the faces of the Leaf Village ever since she got back from the Hyuuga Decade long mission. [more on that later] but to all of a sudden be engaged to one of the shinobe… She cringed at the thought.

Hinata reached the top floor at last and took in a deep breath. The application was held loosely in her left hand and the envelope in her pocket. "Here we go!"

She took a brave step on to the top floor of the Hokage tower and strode over to the long line of ninja, taking her place behind a gorgeous woman with unusual hair. Pink. The woman turned to her instantly and looked Hinata up and down. Her eyes were dazzling emeralds and her lips shimmered a color that matched her hair. She looked so familiar… The man standing in front of her had spiky hair and looked tense, he seemed to be trying to avoid meeting Hinata's eyes. The girl looked from him to Hinata repeatedly.

All of a sudden she gasped "Hinata! Hyuuga Hinata! Oh My Gosh!" She took a step forward and threw her arms around the shocked Htuuga.

"Um, h-hello." She stammered surprised.

"Don't you remember me Hinata? Sakura! We were like best friends up until your family left for that mission."

Hinata now remembered. But she couldn't recall ever being best friends with Sakura. They never really talked as far as she knew, but she didn't want to come off as rude so she smiled warmly, "It's nice to see you again, Sakura."

"Isn't it?" she giggled and then turned to the boy behind her, "this is my fiancé, Sasuke- do you remember him?" she asked innocently. Hinata notice the emphasis on "my" in Sakura's She wrapped her arms round his waist and starred up at him lovingly. He cringed.

" I do-"

" I am Not your fiancé!" he retorted.

"Yet." Sakura replied, smug. Sasuke twisted out of her grip, then stretched his hand out to Hinata, she took it.

"Uchiha Sasuke. It's a pleasure to meet you." He pulled her hand up to his face, never braking eye contact, and pressed his lips against it.

Hinata blushed slightly, keeping her eyes on the floor. Sakura was glaring daggers at Sasuke, who was staring intently at Hinata.

Just then the Hokage's door opened and the big busted blonde Hokage stepped out with a clipboard in her hand.

"Alright!" she shouted, "If you are waiting to turn in an application you are at the wrong place, applications will be turned in at the end of this hallway." She pointed where. And the long line of shinobe melted down to just Hinata, Sasuke and a very pissed off Sakura.

"You three! In my office!"

They waked in, Hinata shut he door behind them.

"Why are you here Uchiha?" the Hokage started, as she plopped down into her chair.

" For the game." He replied simply

"You've already played the game."

" Yes but-"

" And you have a wonderful prize." Sakura chimed in.

Tsunade nodded. "she was trained personally by me, as you know. If you two were to have children they would be- "

"Very strong shinobe, yes I get that part." Sasuke interrupted, " I just don't think we are compatible."

" What?" Sakura shouted, "I'm the closest to compatible you'll ever find! I'm the only girl who will ever put up with your bull shit!"

Hinata shifted uncomfortably, and cleared her throat. All eyes turned to her.

" I think I-I'll come b-back later…?"

"No, don't worry Hinata this will be over soon." The Hokage turned back to Sasuke, "listen Uchiha, after that stunt you pulled with Orochimara I'm hesitant to let you participate in any leaf village affairs." She paused and looked at Sakura, then to the nervous Hinata inching her way closer to the door. "but there are many new players this year. All very strong. Even stronger than you Sakura. So letting you play again would be a plus if you win someone better than Miss Haruno. But," she paused.

" But?" sasuke encouraged.

"But Sakura has a point. You're picky. And not many ninja will put up with that, but I know for a fact that she will. So," she paused again, arranging some papers on her desk.

Sakura had a smug look on her face.

"so.." sasuke muttered, agitated.

"so, you will turn in your application and pray that I trust you enough to play again!"

" But-"

" End of story. Hinata! You are also applying am I correct?"

Hinata deliberated. The Game seemed harsh. But if she didn't play she would have to marry Neji- who was like a brother to her. Her only other option was to be disowned by her father. Excommunicated. Become an outcast.

Hinata chewed on her lip and twiddled her fingers. Thinking to herself,

Will I play?