Hinata ducked her head and looked down at her hand in Sasuke's as he led her into the party the sound of the band now no longer outweighed by that of the invitees. The hushed whispers and murmurs enough to send any sane person mad. Struggling almost to keep with Sasuke's steps, his long legs making longer strides her shorter ones began to burn slightly. Blinking rapidly she tugged his hand making look down at her with a questioning expression. She nibbled her lower lip and her thick eyelashes fluttered.

"C-Could you please slow down, Uchiha-san?" He looked her for a second longer before grumbling out a reply and looking ahead.

"Hn,"

She gave him a small smile and she swore she saw his lips quirk upwards. Maybe it was the light of the lanterns that hung of the ceiling. Clinging to him like a child she let him maneuver her through the crowd and pass her cousin who watched her with a blank gaze. It wasn't unusual.

The Hyuga she was quiet sure had mastered the art of the blank stare. Emotion was weakness but strength was power. Power was something she had none of; not being allowed to train as a kunicohi robbed her of any possible power it was how the council and her father wanted their precious Hyuga Doll. Powerless hence unable to fight and escape the confines of the compound, the very compound she had not been allowed to leave for almost sixteen years. She knew the date because it was when her mother died. Hinako Hyuga was a beautiful woman. Long dark hair, slender and pale skin like the moon with lips like rose petals, even now she recalled those lips pressed against her forehead in a comforting or congratulatory gesture. She had been a kind woman who was not jaded enough for the clan and thus she was greatly protected as well. Hinata recalled her father's overprotective behavior and borderline psychotic possessiveness with her mother to the point where it was unhealthy.

Her mother had been the first Hyuga Doll and now she was the replacement but the rules were stricter with her, where her mother was allowed to fight for her village she was not. Where her mother was allowed to leave the compound she was not. Where her mother was allowed to marry for love she will not be; though she could possibly learn to love Uchiha-san someday. They stopped moving and her thoughts ceased as well.

Sasuke smirked down at her, his hand features morphed into an amused and forlorn expression. "The party is almost over, Hinata-hime."

And she would have to stay until every last one of them left since she was the star of the party. Her lavender eyes flickered to the watch that was in his pale wrist; it was almost midnight and soon they would want her to sing for them as she usually had to but seeing as this was in honor of Sasuke's and her engagement she would hope not.

"Hai," she mumbled out a response resting her head on his shoulder. She was sleepy and her feet hurt, the kimono too hot making her skin grew pink. Sasuke placed a hand on the small of her back, securing her so she wouldn't fall.

"I hear you double as a song bird for the Hyuga as well." He remarked dark eyes sparing her a quick glance before looking back at the party.

She blushed prettily and secured her hold around his hard arm. It reminded her of Neji's muscular like a man's arm should be. "Hai."

He nodded and cocked his to the side resting it on the pillar. Hinata felt inadequate for some reason, he was at least trying to form a conversation with her and she was responding with one word answers. Licking her lips she opened her mouth to ask him a question only to hear the loud sound of the gong being rung. Her father and other council members stood peering down at the rest of them with a vacant stare. She felt Sasuke cringe; at least it wasn't her alone that thought the dull looks were creepy.

"The Hyuga clan would like to express our gratitude for the guests who spared enough time to be here this evening," her would be husband snorted beside her and she on instinct slapped his forearm; surprising the both of them. "So as it comes to an end, my eldest daughter, Hinata will be sending us off with a song in celebration of this evening and her upcoming nuptials to Sasuke Uchiha, the last of his clan!" He finished with pride, like someone who'd won the prize hog at the Summer Festival (one of the few events they allowed her to leave the compound for) Hinata wondered if Sasuke would like being called a prized Hog. She glanced at her fiancé and his steel like appearance. No he didn't seem like the type who would find it a good comparison.

Gathering up the skirt of her kimono she walked through the parted space of people with Sasuke behind her, hand firmly on her back so that she wouldn't fall down. Strangely enough she felt secure with him nearby; comforted by his presence.

Taking slow steps up, careful with her already sore and aching feet as she walked. Sasuke wrapped his arms tight around her waist and lifted her up to the stage with the musicians. She squeaked with a blush before muttering thanks to him and sitting down with the musicians. Folding her legs in she swayed her head to the familiar rhythm played, one that she had mastered because her maid made her. This was what a lady was supposed to do. Learn songs, sew, dance, cook and know to please their husband.

"My love is a strange man, at most.

My love is a warrior, at least.

My love has dark woven hair

My love has pale skin like the moonlight..." As the lyrics flowed from her lips, in an effortless melodic way she couldn't help but think of Sasuke as they did. The song was from a lover to her lover. They weren't lovers yet; maybe they could be later. Maybe if she didn't run like she and Neji-niisan had planned. Hinata rose her head up from the wooden floor of the stage and looked up at Sasuke who was staring intently at her; specifically at her lips they way they moved as she sang.

For some reason she didn't mind the way he stared.

:::)(:::

Neji crosses his arms tightly looking on at his cousin and the Uchiha who eyed her like some sick possession of his. The idea of her belonging to him made him sick. Hinata deserved someone better; someone who was worthy of every bit of light and perfection she had to offer. His grey eyes watched as her head lulled and her red lips parted and moaned out the lyrics softly as if in the midst of passion. He wondered if she knew how sensual and entrapping she looked when she sang. The prodigy doubted it.

As she swayed slowly and arched her back slightly, the long dark tresses of her hair fell behind her and uncovered her angelic face to the rest of the world. Sharing a sight they did not deserve to see.

The servants had down her face well, painted light make up on it but just enough to enhance her eyes and lips. Just enough to make her look like a true porcelain doll.

The song ended soon and everyone clapped and whistled praises. The Uchiha smiled briefly at Hinata, so quick that a normal man or shinobi may not have seen. Neji was not a normal shinobi.

He hoped that whatever charms her betrothed had used on her hadn't deterred her from their plan from what they were going to do with a smirk or soft touch. Neji shook his head as if in attempt to dispel to idea, his cousin was strong enough to resist it and was strong enough to escape to somewhere better than here. He'd make sure of it and even if she did; he would change her mind or make her escape.

He would get her somewhere safe.

::))((::

Sasuke helped her down just like he helped her up; lifting the almost weightless girl down earning another squeak. He ignored it enjoying whatever excuse he could to hold her, soon he would not need any and the sooner it was the better. A hand on her back he saw across the room the stare of her cousin, the former avenger smirked. Moving closer to Hinata and placing his hand lower down her back right above the curve of her buttocks. Neji remained emotionless only a quirk of his eyebrow and twitch of his jaw which was enough for Sasuke.

As the guests left one by one; leaving a mutter of blessings for their marriage life. Some casting longing looks at Hinata and envious ones at Sasuke. Something he could grow accustomed too.

"Good bye, Kurenai-Senpai." He heard Hinata whisper affectionately to the older woman who smiled softly at her then shoot him a nod. He would have to find out the connection between the two soon enough; because as he recalled Hinata was not allowed to leave the compound unless for village festivals. How did they know each other? Suffocating his curiosity Sasuke gave her a respectful bow and watched as the great Hyuga doors were closed. Leaving no one but him and the Hyugas.

It was not nearly as calming as you would imagine.

The lantern lights were fanned higher and the council members and the clan head approached him. All in their gray yukatas and dull eyes; the only varying aspects were the level of gray hair each had. It reminded him of when they used to go to the academy and the class would say that they were robots; uniform, unthinking and unfeeling.

They had never met Hinata; the doll's whose eyes shined bright in the moonlight or whose skin was as soft as silk and smelt of roses. And they would never meet her; she would go from the Hyuga compound to the Uchiha compound.

Sasuke kept his arm around her waist, the girl didn't even tremble anymore she just fell into the hold. Which he was sure was the only thing keeping her from falling asleep on the polished floor.

"Uchiha-San, we have matters to discuss about your upcoming marriage." An old shaky woman croaked, her shoulder slouched in and eyes dropping with wrinkles.

"Hai." He removed his arm from around her waist and she grabbed his arm in a gesture of good-bye, a small smile of her angelic face. Her cousin came and replaced his arm leading her out of the room into which ever part of the house she lived in; it wouldn't be long that she would be there still. Not long at all.

"Let's discuss then."

::))((::

Hinata's head lulled into her cousin's chest before she righted herself; he sighed and picked her up bridal style. She smiled at him sweetly and whispered a drawled thank you. The halls of the main house were silent, it hummed her to sleep but she struggled to stay awake. To show some sort of strength in the face of her cousin who though her to be strong. Men, he had told her, were predators and predators hunted the weak. The fact that she would have to be storm was drilled into her mind by him.

So as he held her close and her head was leaned backwards; long hair brushing against his yukata. He didn't seem to mind and she likes that about him, Neji was always so nice to her, to him she was not simply the Hyuga doll. She was his younger cousin, the one with the pretty lilac eyes.

She paid close attention to his breathing and his heartbeat. The drumming would keep her awake whilst he carried her to her room. A path he would know all too well by now. He pulled her closer, she didn't mind.

Hinata hadn't released her eyes were closed until she opened them to see his face. Handsome and well sculpted, he was attractive but she found herself comparing it to that of Sasuke's. Men were not supposed to be beautiful but she couldn't help but call the two that, they were beautiful in their own way.

Sasuke was dark and seemed to draw you in though most may be too afraid to go near. Like a fallen angel, stunning but clouded with darkness. She had not been afraid to touch though, some reason.

Neji was not meant to be touched, pristine and robotic. Sculpted like deities in the temples, she mused humorlessly that he was like a doll too. She was not afraid to touch him also, not by any means.

Hinata gripped his yukata as he rested her on her feet; they had met her bedroom door. He sighed and kissed her hair, inhaling her lavender scent. Arms around her petite frame; she enjoyed these moments. In all her years of being starved for affection, her cousin was the only one besides her sister to give it to her.

She entered her room, leaving the door open as she entered, not at all surprised at the loud locking of the bolts or the sound of shoes hitting the floor. Hinata had stared at the moonlight through her large window, pass the branches and owls. She felt arms around her, turning around she bowed her head and let herself be pressed close to him. Smelling his soap and sake of the night, he always liked the taste of sake even when they were younger.

He cupped her chin and raised it up to face his own. Long eyelashes fluttered as she observed his brooding face, he was worried. Perhaps he felt her waver on their plan to run? No, at least she hoped not. She wanted to stay and get to know Sasuke, if only for a few weeks until the marriage. It was selfish of her but she hoped he understood that she needed time.

Neji shook his head and pressed his forehead to her, this was how they had learned to speak to each other through the years. He untied her obi and kissed her nose, hand on her hip through the opening of the kimono. Hinata stiffened and turned her head when he went to kiss her.

They couldn't do this, at least not now. Probably never again. He was beginning to see that now; Neji kissed her nose again and exited the room. Leaving her door open so that she could watch his retreating form. She placed her hand over her mouth and screamed; tears running down her cheeks as she sobbed.

She'd just selfishly hurt one of the few people that cared about just for a man she knew almost nothing about. Heaving Hinata went to shut her door loudly before throwing herself on the bed, wishing more than anything she could crush her sprouting feelings for a man she just officially met and runaway with the one she knew all her life.

She just couldn't bring herself to be selfless this time, this time she couldn't sacrifice her happiness and not explore what could be love with her betrothed. Her sobs echoed throughout the entire main house.

::))((::

Sasuke closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh scent of the midnight air as he walked leisurely towards the Uchiha compound. Not minding the fresh buzz of alcohol in his veins or the faint scent of Hinata on his skin. He even smiled for a few milliseconds between steps as he walked. The meeting with the Hyuga council had been a success, at least for him it was, but he was all that counted.

Himself and having Hinata, the mere idea made him giddy.

He had by some means persuaded them into making her leave to mansion so that she could get acquainted with him, as to make her transition into his clan easy even though his clan only consisted of him. Truthfully he had only wanted to spend time with her away from the vacant gray stares of her clan members.

Sasuke would sleep well that night, thinking of the impending days with his doll alone, yes he couldn't wait for her smile and light be his alone.

He would soon own her perfection and it was positively thrilling to think about.