To keep the clan strong (East and JamJessica)

[east]

Morning broke over the large estate. Birdsong filled the air from the gardens that the Hyuuga family had kept, and Hiashi Hyuuga hadn't slept. His normally well kept appearance was frayed. He was tired, but had been up with worry since the last sunset.

His daughter if left unchecked would lead their house to ruin with her infatuation with Naruto. The boy had matured sure, he had grown to the point where most of the village could see him as a leader, and he knew that if either of them went to one another that his house would die. He had lost much for his clan, a brother sacrificed, a wife gone.

Hinata had always been his greatest failure, Yet the elders would not allow a second born to take the family leadership. Despite Hanabi's natural talents they insisted that Hinata would be the head after his retirement. Which had left Hiashi to stay active even at his old age. He had put off his retirement twice now, and was becoming ill for his diligence. So he had spent the night trying to come up with a way to stop his daughter from destroying their name and tying them to what would be a failure of a hokage. He had found the answer in old laws, and now he just had to decide if he could live with the consequences of this action. He had lost much to protect the clan, and what followed could cost them much more.

He gave orders to summon both Hinata, and Neji to his quarters for a meeting.
~~

in contrast to Hiashi Neji had slept in for a change. He didn't have a mission for a few days, and decided to take a rare opportunity to enjoy a day off. Training with Guy had always been about pushing yourself to the breaking point, but at the same time he had long drilled into them the importance of days of rest.

Muscles if used constantly would break down, a proper workout schedule required that the body be cared for.

So when the summons arrived to him he was still half asleep in the part of the estate that was quartered off for the branch family. The servant quarters were not nearly as illustrious as the main house, but were still warm and dry and frankly all he really needed.

As he dressed and got ready for the day ahead he had no idea what was coming. He even stopped to make tea bringing a pot and three cups to the meeting, after all it was early, and he doubted anyone had eaten breakfast yet.

 

[JamJessica]

Hinata had only just returned from a mission with her team when she received the message that her father wanted to see her and Neji. Sighing softly, her voice tiered and wary she accepted the summons, which thankfully gave her enough time to shower and make herself at least a bit presentable. Touching her head she winced slightly where she had been smashed over the head during a battle with another ninja. Hinata had a bit of dried blood caked in her hair so she needed to shower.

After a decent shower she checked her wound in the mirror, moving her hair to cover it. It had been healed but still needed time to fully heal its self. Once she was satisfied with her appereance she dressed herself in her usual garb and headed down to her fathers quarters. She doubted it had anything to do with her mission. She had only just arrived home so he would not of heard anything about it yet. Besides the mission had been successful and while she got injured she won her battle with relative ease.

Hinata had known her fathers views toward her since she was a small child. She was not really sure what age but she around four when her training began. Her father quick to tell her she was a failure and a worthless heir. Before her sister had ever even started training. She was practically a baby at the time. The more her father demeened her the more shy and quiet she became her nature going to the extreme.

Yes she was Gentle....kind....cared for everyone but she know knew she could be strong. She was strong in her own way. She was not a ruthless killer and cold toward those she cared for...but she considered herself a reliable person.

Standing outside her fathers large wooden door, with intracatlily carved designs she rubbed her hand over her tired face. Knowing she would not sleep until tonight. She could handle that, she had at least gotten a few hours the night before before the mission finished.

Turning her head when she spotted Neji walked toward the same door she smiled gently in his direction. It had been some time since she had seen Neji, he had been on a mission before hers and when he returned she had just left on hers. It had been about two weeks she supposed.

"G-Good Morning." Hinata said softly before turning back to the door and knocking twice after a moment. Hinata knew her father already knew they were there it was simply whenever he would let them inside.

Little did she know...or either of them for that matter know what this meeting was truly about. The fact that her father somehow found out about her infatuation with Naruto...well she could not even dream him knowing that.

 

[east]

"Good morning, Lady Hinata." Neji never really felt comfortable in the presence of Hinata. When he had first met her as a child he had been in awe of her, he remembered thinking that she was pretty and, at least in part due to being told that it would be his job to protect her, he had thought of himself as her knight. Then his father had taught him what their position actually meant by dying in Hiashi's place. He had felt anger and animosity towards her for years, up until the point he had tried to kill her in the Chunin Exams so many years ago.

Now however he was more calm, more collected, and had pulled himself out of his negative views of the world around him due in part to Naruto's intervention. Now it just felt kind of awkward. He saw her not as the weak leader that some of the family thought she was, but more delicate. He had doubts when it came to her leadership skills, as she was always so quiet, and then there was the fact that she fainted at the sight of anything even remotely perverted, and became red the moment anyone mentioned Naruto around her.

If she thought she was hiding her emotions, she really wasn't, but she had made improvements.

Neji was carrying a tray with him, three glasses, and a tea pot which was still steaming, and the two of them waited to be let in. When Hiashi called for them, Neji followed Hinata into the room, setting the trey on the table and taking his seat on one of the cushions beside Hinata, while Hiashi sat across from them. He poured each a cup of tea, placing it in front of them, however neither he nor Hiashi took their cups.

Hiashi looked at the two of them. behind him there was a scroll and a handful of documents, and his face was a cold stone like wall unreadable to the other two. He was sure of the actions he was about to take, and so he decided to set the paperwork on the table first.

"I have made a decision going forward." Hiashi started as he looked at Hinata directly addressing her. "The elders of our clan have denied my request to pass over you in favor of Hanabi, and so I have been left with little choice, but to force a marriage before your infatuations and incompetence could bring further ruin to our damaged name. As such."

Hiashi put a pen on the table between the two cousins. "I have chosen Neji to be the only suitable candidate, this is your marriage licence you will both sign."

 

[JamJessica]

Hinata offered her cousin a soft smile as she awaited her father. She was well aware how her cousin felt about her. He had indeed tried to kill her during the exams years ago, but never had she held a grudge against him. It was his up bringing by the Hyuuga family and everything they believed in their traditions and views. She resented those traditions and hated that she had been the fault for the death of Neji's father. No one was to blame for that incident years ago and no one should have died. It should of been as simple as they kidnapped her and that they were in the wrong for doing such a thing to a child of the leaf. No one should of been killed for that incident other then the man who had done the deed.

That incident was more on the village then the Hyuuga themselves, but her uncle made that decision on his own. No one could force him to give up his life. All he would have to of done was show his curse symbol and it would be known he was not Hiashi Hyuuga.

Upon arriving in the room she steeled her face. Knowing whatever he planned today would not be pleasant. She could tell. Her father while always cold usually did not look...well...this cold. This look reserved for the worse of worse situations.

Hinata knew her feelings were out in the open for all to see. She did not force herself to become an emotionless person. She was who she was and she refused to change for the want of one man afraid of change. Her father never wanted anything to change everything was always the same. She was tired of it.

"Thank you." Hinata said quietly when Neji poured the tea. Rolling her eyes when her head was downcast as she sipped her tea. Whatever was said today she was sure would not be...well...great...but she decided a long time ago she could not fight her father. He was stronger then her...well more ruthless then her. She felt her strength had improved but not enough to take her father down who would flatten her and laugh over her probably.

Looking down as a sheet of paper was set before them, reading it quickly before her father had a chance to speak. Huh...why would he have a marriage license...unless.... Looking to Neji she turned back to her father waiting for his response to placing the sheet on the table.

Her fathers cold words really did not affect her anymore. She was used to him saying such hurtful and cruel things. If anything Hinata enjoyed, just slightly, her so called weakness got under his skin to such a degree. He and probably Neji viewed her as weak...but to her she was simply human. Strength sure she was not the best in the Hyuuga...that was Neji no doubt...intellectually...probably Neji as well...but none of them were able to read humans the way they needed. She considered herself intelligent herself. The intellectual part of running the clan...well she had that in the bag.

Hearing they were to sign the marriage license she opened her mouth in protest but closed it slowly. Suddenly her dream of being with Naruto...even though she knew realistically if her father didn't choose Neji it would be someone...arranged marriages were not unheard of, especially for clans such as the Hyuuga. Deciding she would deal with her feelings when in private she looked at her father, picking up the pen and signing her name.

"Just b-because I am m-married t-to Neji father...does not mean a-anything." She muttered rising to her feet. "I w-will still be the c-clan head...so feel free to retire when your r-ready father...I feel the Hyuuga need a change." She muttered softly. Obvious signs of hurt behind her eyes when it came to the fact she was forced into a marriage with her cousin. While she did not even look at Neji she knew he would have no real choice but to sign. "Neji is strong father...but he is not you. R-Regardless things w-will be different." Looking at Neji she offered him a small smile, not even hiding the look in her eyes.

The broken hearted look of a young girl who's life was chosen for her.

"I'll be in my r-room tell Neji the d-details." With that she walked out to her room. Needing to get a good cry in before she faced Neji and they figured out their future and what was going to happen.

 

[east]

Neji's eyes were locked on the table, this was a violation of one of the last few freedoms he had kept close to his chest. A forced marriage like this was one of the few things he had no response too. The thought of lashing out and attacking Hiashi was thick on his mind, in a fair one to one match up he may even have had a chance to take the head of the clan, but it wasn't a fair match up.

He had a seal on his forhead that prevented him from having a say in this matter. He had felt the pain of the seals activation only once before, and it was not something he ever wished to feel again, so when he looked at the paper he thought for a moment that this would go down without a fight.

They both signed and he could feel his stomach wanting to do a flip. He felt physically ill at this, not because of whom he had been forced into a marriage too, but rather the idea that his hand was so forced.

Then Lady Hinata spoke. It wasn't much, he could hear her stutter he knew that words for her were not easy. But the words were as close to a threat as anyone in this situation could muster. Even Hiashi seemed genuinely shocked that his daughter would speak so out of turn with him.

It was small, but for a moment Hinata looked more like a leader than he had ever seen before. When she had taken her leave, he followed after only a few moments later when he had been properly dismissed.

The details were pretty simple, the two of them were married, Hiashi would expect them to consummate the marriage another shiver down his spine that was not something he had ever expected to hear. The two would be moved to a different part of the estate where they could share a room, and aside from marriage their lives would continue as normal.

He went for the kitchen, trying to occupy himself with tasks anything that mattered, he found himself cooking some kind of lunch since it was now later in the afternoon and he doubted that Hinata had eaten anything.

When he went to her room, he carried with him a tray with a simple lunch each, some cooked rice, a few things of fish, and a few greens for a simple salad. It honestly wasn't much. he doubted that either of them wanted to eat, but without food they wouldn't have the strength for the rest of the day.

 

[JamJessica]

As Hinata lay on her bed, face down into the pillow she let her tears fall, knowing it would not be long before Neji arrived. While she did let her emotions out and showed pretty much anyone who would care to look, she rarely cried in front of anyone. Her tears were hers and hers alone. When Neji did not arrive immediately she went to clean her face and pulled her hair back, parting her hair in a way where the wound was visible. The only reason being not wanting it to become infected from getting hair into it. Putting some ointment on it she went back to her room, sitting on the bed. She flipped her pillow which was wet with her tears and sighed softly. It was obvious she had cried due to the slight swell of her under eyes.

When she heard Neji walking toward her room and arrive at her door she took a small breath before he even knocked. "Come in Neji." Hinata said softly. Thinking back she was sure it had been a long time since he had entered her room completely. Usually they spoke at the door or outside of it.

Her room was simple with not much inside of it. Very simple especially for the heir of the Hyuga clan.

Hinata ran her fingers over her bedsheets. Now she was married...that...that certainly was not what she was expecting from today. She had not even confessed herself to Naruto...however she supposed that was for the best. He loved another and she would simply have to accept that...for now she had a husband...

Looking up at the door she waited for Neji to enter knowing they had allot to discuss.

 

[east]

Neji did not know what to expect from Hinata's room. He had seen the inside of Tenten's once or twice when he had visited her, and that room had an abundance of pink and items, it was in a word loud, and so he was expecting something closer to that instead what he saw was something closer to his own room. It was a tad on the barren side of things, with only a handful of important or sentimental items.

He placed the tray on the ground, his eyes looking over the body of his now wife, and the current saddening state that she was in. He had no idea how to act in this scenario, he had never even dated anyone before. He was a complete novice, but he could still see an upset woman when he saw one, and he knew he had to attempt something in order to fix it.

His attempt was simply pulling out his coat sleeve and as he approached her used them to dry her eyes softly. He had no idea what more he could say aside from that simple gesture. This wasn't a place he had ever expected to be.

"I am sorry Lady Hinata." He still addressed her formally, he had no idea how not too, it was the way he was raised after all.

"I... appreciated your words at the meeting." It was really the only thing he could say at the moment, he did very much appreciate that at least for a moment Hiashi had been put on the back foot.

 

[JamJessica]

Said sentimental items were rather simple as it were. Photos of her important people. Her team, her sister, her mother, a photo of the entire rookie nine after graduation and final placement on teams after passing their various instructors tests. She also had a picture of Neji and his team on her dresser. Hinata was not one for clutter. She was rather simple and enjoyed simpler things in her life.

Smiling a little as he came over to dry her eyes she spoke after a moment. "Not your fault Neji." She said simply. It was true after all. It was her father, his uncle. Their leader of the Hyuuga. "You're g-gonna have to learn to call me H-Hinata you know...since we are m-married and a-all...cant go around calling your w-wife Ladt Hinata..." Hinata said sheepishly looking down at the floor.

Hearing him mention what she had said at the meeting her face flushed once more. "I meant it all... I hope he is prepared for w-what will happen when he retires." She said the look of determination shinning in her eyes. Grabbing his sleeve she tugged him down onto the bed next to her. Obviously a sign to tell him to relax.

"S-So...what is expected of us...from this union..." She murmured quietly, having her suspicions on what was needed from them but she wanted to hear for sure.

 

[east]

As he was pulled Neji fell onto the bed. Immediately he was hit with something rather pleasant. Hinatas smell, her bed was warm and soft and aside from the sheet cleaner that the estate used there was also something sweet to the bed. Be it hinata's scent or some perfume that she used.

"Of course la-Hinata." He squirmed uncomfortabley for a moment. But despite feeling awkward. He could at least assume that some of this would be easier as he got used to the new role. Then she asked the question and he felt himself heat up for a moment.

Neji swallowed feeling nervious about what he was supposed to say. Hinata had always passed out at the mentions of the lewd, still he swallowed and prepped himself for what was gonna happen. "We will be moved to a larger two person room, it is expected that we are to consumate the marriage tonight. He said grandkid within four years."

He tried to be as blunt and factual as possible. Neji could assume the reason for consumation was less about love and more because it would mean that the two would find it more difficult to find anyone else if the marriage was somehow annulled. And the heir was an obvious claus.

 

[JamJessica]

Hinata smiled a little when he corrected himself into using her name normally. She had tried for years to convince him to simply call her Hinata and he had always refused. Now however he had no real reason to tell her no or to try not to. They were not considered 'equals' in terms of stature in the family. So she did not think there any reason to call her Lady.

As he spoke of what was expected she nodded her head slightly. "O-Of course...I figured as much...surprised he didn't say more l-like a year from now." She mumbled. Her face a deep pink at the idea of consummating the marriage. Forget about the fact it was with a man whom...while she loved him, it a familial love not a love a woman has for a man of no relation. It was simply hard for her to imagine or handle. Either way she was sure it was to happen and he would make sure it did, one way or another.

Rubbing her hand over her face she looked up to the ceiling. "How...How do you feel about this Neji?" She asked quietly. Curious to have his take. Wanting to forget that this was happening tonight.

Hinata knew it was going to happen she simply wanted to forget for the moment and try to figure out what was going to happen. Between them and everything else that would happen in this family. Before she dreaded the day her father retired for the simple fact she would be forced to marry if she had not...but now that was a long forgotten fear...now she wanted her father to retire so she could smash all the traditions of this family.

 

[east]

Neji felt awkward when she asked him how he felt. It was a difficult question to answer. In truth it wasnt the most ideal situation. Hinata was his cousin after all, and it would take a bit for him to forget that. Neji's brow furrowed for a moment.

"It's not ideal, by any means, but if you will allow me to be blunt." Neji took a breath bracing for a moment for what he was about to say and waiting for Hinata to give him some sort of pass to continue.

Once she did he released a tense sigh. "In truth, it is not the worst pairing. You are attractive, and kind, and I cant really call any situation where the sollution is have sex with this beautiful women a bad one. If I had been asked I might have even agreed to this. Anyone else would probably have been abusive towards you. The logic works, but I was never asked once again I had my hand forced."

Neji spoke perhaps the most freely he ever had and it felt like both a weight lifted from him but at the same time awkward like this was making his throat dry from all of his talking. "I always feel like a prisoner in this house. I never wanted my marriage to be a just another loveless prison."

 

[JamJessica]

Hinata quietly listened to what he had to say. In all actuality she had been surprised he was even willing to answer her. He rarely spoke of his feelings and if he did it certainly wasn't to her. Well...except back during those exams where he clearly expressed his anger. More intimate feelings such as being forced into an arranged marriage with your once hated cousin...well...she would not of been surprised if he simply ignored her question.

Nodding when he asked if he could be blunt. She wanted to hear what he had to say. His words, logically made sense to her. Even if her face turned a bit red when he mentioned having sex. She knew he was right especially for a guy in this situation.

"I might be the heir to this f-family Neji...bit I have felt as much a prisinor...father expects things from me I refuse to give him." She stated softly. "I always idolized Naruto for the simple reason he was free to live his life...and and does so with a smile...even when things are tough."

Looking at Neji she released a small breath. He was right any other arrangement might of left her in an abusive or extremely unhappy situation. She at least trusted Neji not to do that too her. "Then...to f-fight father...perhaps we should...at least try...try to have more then a l-loveless marriage." Hinata did not want to live her life in a loveless way and perhaps one day they could care for one another more then just as family.

 

[east]

Neji felt some relief while it was miserable to admit at least they had some amount of relief in all of this. They both shared some level of frustration towards Hiashi about what was happening and the lack of control in their lives. It was odd that he was now talking to Hinata about things that he honestly had never spoken to anyone about. It was cathartic to finally have some of this off his chest.

When she mentioned Naruto his own memories of being pulled out of his darker mindset came to him. He could see why she would like him, and it would have been a good choice if it weren't for Hiashi's stern disapprove. He moved forward a little brushing Hinata's hair when she told him that they could try and be more than a loveless marriage, it was a fine thought, but he knew that it would take effort on both their parts. He gently moved a little closer to Hinata his arm moving to hold her body.

Affection was something new to him, and it would take time for him to learn more. "You aren't going to faint on me are you?"

He blinked for a moment or two trying to think, if they were really going to be doing this than perhaps the two of them needed to have a talk about what they liked. Neji was a bit of an open book on the subject of sex, he had never had any, and was open to try just about anything.

Today was going in a really weird direction from where it had started.

"So perhaps we should... um talk about.. what we would want to do or try?"

 

[JamJessica]

While she did not faint her face did turn a bit red as he brushed the hair from her face and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to him. She was surprised he had done such a thing however a smile came to her lips. Once she was pulled to him she rested her head upon is shoulder, her eyes falling closed. "N-No...I'm not...I think I can keep it together..." However she would truly need to force herself to stay conscious as they got into more serious signs of affection.

She certainly did not want to be in a loveless marriage....but she was unsure how to move away from them simply being cousins and married to lovers who were married. Her eyes opened wide when she heard his next statement about why they might want to try or do.

Hinata was in the same boat. She had never had sex and in truth it was a sheltered subject within the clan. However it was a required class at the academy for all females who were becoming konochi.

Besides that she had stumbled across a book that...in no uncertain terms was extremely dirty and caused new ideas to get thrown into her mind.

"I...I don't know...um..." This was where her shy nature had always gotten her in trouble. Embarrassing conversations were not an east topic. "A-Anything y-you want to...I um..I guess?" She said softly. While Hinata had some ideas about such things she could not fathom talking about them.

 

[east]

Neji wasn't sure if she was a blank slate like him, or if there was something more to her. For now he was looking at her shy nature, and thinking she was kind of cute when she blushed. He honestly kind of liked her when she was embarrassed, but he knew that if he played that game too much she would probably end up fainting something that he didn't really want to deal with.

For now though it didn't really matter, they were getting off topic, and while he liked the smell of Hinata, and the two of them were talking about their future together in no certain terms, the thing he was most sure about was that they didn't really need to go about this now. He sat up for the moment, getting up from the bed so he could stretch.

"We don't need to focus on this till tonight, for now we have other things to do. We have to move rooms, we need to eat." He said trying to be rational, and also step away from this awkward moment because his own face was going red.

They hadn't even kissed yet, and he supposed that was going to be the nature of there relationship for a while, they had just agreed to try and change their opinion of each other, from cousin to lover, something that is much harder said than done, even with the fact that they would inevitably have to have sex, which again wasn't so in far a bad thing from where he was sitting.

 

[JamJessica]

Hinata nodded slowly when he mentioned they could focus on those things later tonight. She bit her lip softly at the thought of tonight and flopped back onto her bed. Staring up at the ceiling above her. Just willing her red face to vanish and her body to relax. "L-Lets eat...I haven't eaten since yesterdays breakfast." She informed him quietly. Normally after a day like today she would not feel much like eating but she was starving today.

Slowly rising to her own feet she looked over at the man who was her husband and hopefully something more then just the title. "I c-can move my own stuff...I don't have much anyway." Hinata said quietly as she walked to the tray he had placed on the floor a few minutes earlier she set it onto the small table in her room. There were two chairs. She often ate her meals here alone.

Setting the food out she motioned for him to come and sit. She did not want to be the only one eating. "Thank you...for making the f-food." She informed him after a few moments as she sunk into her own chair and waited for him to do the same. Her face a light dusting of pink.

 

[east]

Neji nodded when Hinata went to get the food, he approached the table and sat down, but now that they had talked about what they were going to have to do he felt awkward he kept feeling like his heart was about to leap out of his chest, he had no idea how to approach any of it. The fact they had just had such a surreal conversation, the fact that he was now actually kind of looking forward to tonight, despite the fact that he had just been forced to marry his cousin, someone who really he should feel nothing towards.

Yet he actually found himself smiling when he looked at her face the slightly pink cheeks, and the way she thanked him for the food he had provided, there was something that just made his stomach flip. Maybe it was this awkward situation, but he couldn't get his mind out of just how cute she looked when she was embarrassed even slightly.

"You're welcome. I know it's not much, but it felt like it was the least I could do." Neji had never prided himself as a cook, his aversion to spicy food always left his own cooking kind of bland tasting, and lacking any real personality.

Neji had always been more cut down to earth, and a tad on the stern side, he had always tried to reflect some level of calm, but even as he sat down and took his own bowl he kind of felt himself be giddy, which was odd, he had never been like that before. He tried to calm himself by eating, but found his appetite fading the more he took the more he realized he was staring at Hinata.

once he realized he was being quiet and not saying anything he put down his food and paused for a moment. "Maybe we should get a start on moving out?" He said softly unsure of what more to say but wanting a bit of air to clear his head of all the new thoughts running around him.

 

[JamJessica]

"It is great Neji." Hinata said softly when he said it was not much. "Thank you." She said thanking him again for the meal. "Next time..I-I'll cook." She added after a few moments. The food to her was nice. Sure it wasn't the best tasting lunch she had ever had, but it certainly was not the worst. It had been a long time since anyone had cooked for her. Normally she insisted on making her own meals and serving others, not the other way around. So it was a pleasant surprise.

However even though she was starving and did enjoy his food, she found herself picking at it after a few bites. All the thoughts of the day and what was to come tonight...well she could not say she wasn't completely nervous and unsure of everything that would happen. Hinata figured her father also had his ideas on how to make sure that they actually consummated the marriage. After all they could simply say the deed was done and forget it ever happened.

Soon enough she pushed her plate away, done for the moment. Nodding her head to his words. "I suppose we s-should. It would make sense to do so..." It was true after all. In all reality she did not have much in her room. Her clothes, her photos, and her secret draw by the bedside which she would have to hide better once they had their shared room. Her face flushing slightly. Everything she had read which was contained in that draw made her even more nervous about the night to come. Hopefully she would be able to keep her dirty draw away from his view.

Hinata did not know much but she had spent more time then she cared to admit reading those books and manga. Never understanding why she was so drawn to them.

"S-should we start here or in your room?" She questioned after a few moments clearly wondering where they should start,

 

[east]

Neji nodded softly and tried to finish as much of the meal as he could while trying to get his mind out of the gutter. However it wasn't really working. Once his food was done he was mostly just trying to shake the jitters from his mind, which caused him to miss some of what Hinata said, though when she asked him if they should start here or in his room he blinked for a moment.

"I mean if you wanted to start now, I suppose it would be more comfortable for you here." He spoke before the world caught up with him and he realized that Hinata wasn't talking about starting with the events of the night but rather which room they were going to pack up. His face became red, and he put his palm to his forehead.

"I mean we can start with packing up your room, sorry." He got up to his feet and started to walk around her room. He started by pulling up her sheets, and folding her bedding he was actually pretty sure her bed was larger than his, by a bit, most members of the branch family only had single beds afforded to them, while Hinata's seemed like a queen size.

"if you put all of your clothing onto the sheets we can fold them up and basically bundle all of it in one go, then we just have to worry about moving your items, which I am sure we can get a box for."

 

[JamJessica]

When he misinterpreted what she said her face turned a deep red. Knowing exactly where his mind had gone. She certainly was not ready for that. Even though realistically perhaps that would be a good place to begin. Not when they were being forced into it but on there own terms before that night. Where they would inevitably be forced to do such things again. SHaking her head slightly before nodding her head in agreement to his plan.

"S-Sounds good to me." Hinata said softly as she walked to her closet. Pulling out the majority of her clothes in a couple of trips. She then went to her dresser and grabbed a few more things, such as her underwear and bras...which she grabbed a pillow case for and tossed them into there. Blushing once more realizing he probably had seen them as she put them into the pillow case.

Placing that on the bed she looked to him. "That should be all t-the clothes..." She mused softly. Trying to calm her red face. Soon enough it was back to the simple light dusting of pink.

"The rest...yes we will need a b-box." There was not much and probably could be carried in a couple of trips to be completely honest.

 

[east]

Again he couldn't help but think that Hinata was cute when she was embarassed, the red blush that came across her face, and the stuttered speech, he still kind of thought it was a weakness of hers, but at the same time it was very feminine and oddly not something he would choose to change about his cousin now turned wife.

He watched as she put her panties and bra's into the pillow case, he didn't see too many of them, and most were the plane kind he always kind of pictured her having, nothing too scandalas, or at least none that he saw were anything lacy and sexy like the stuff he saw in shops dedicated to things that he had never had a use for, but had always at least been a touch curious.

Once they had all the clothes he paused for a moment as he started to carry the majority of it. It took him a moment to realize that he had no idea where they were actually going. He didn't have to look very far for directions however as it seemed Hiashi had ordered someone to place directions taped to the door of their rooms as when he opened it he found the message in the hallway.

The estate was a large building built around a central court yard with two levels, The main branch family lived in an area that was more secure near the center of the building that was where they were now. It seemed they were being moved out of the central conclave, and onto the second floor of the east wing. An area that had mostly been abandoned. It also explained that Neji's possessions had already been moved, again without his asking or permission.

"It seems we will be going to an area that's mostly been abandoned, I suppose it's Hiashi's way of saying we aren't his problem anymore. He doesn't see the need to keep us close, and he can sweep us aside out of sight and mind."

Neji sighed as he started to walk towards their new room. It was a little disheartening to know just how far aside Hiashi could toss them, but at the same time there was hope yet. Traditions dictated that eventually Hinata would take over, and Neji had a feeling that being her equal in status would make the two of them much more effective. While Hiashi had probably done it so that his daughter wouldn't be physically harmed, he had put the two who were most against the traditions of the family together, that would be his mistake.

Walking with her bedding and clothes up to the second floor balcony and finding the room number. Opening it up this area was much larger. It was basically a one room apartment, complete with fridge, sink, stove and it joined into a bathroom with a shower. It had pretty much every creature comfort that Neji could think of and in the corner was a bed.

The only problem was that it looked like this door haddn't been used in a long time, and the place was covered with dust save for a single envelop addressed to them with Hiahsi's hand writing, and a time stamp of 9:00. He could only guess what was in that.

 

[JamJessica]

Hinata if she forced herself could control her stuttering and her blush. However when she was not in a situation that called for it then she simply did not see the point in forcing herself away from her natural reactions. She did not like hiding herself. Most ninja she knew were always trying to hide their feelings and emotions. She did not want to be someone who turned into a cold unfeeling human.

"That's fine. We won't have to deal with him e-either then." She mused with a smile. Even though her room was in the area members of the main family were housed she was definitely further from the rest. Having always been the black sheep who was slightly outcasted from the rest. Her father only including her when he had no other choice.

Following Neji up to their new room she sighed quietly seeing the state of it. It was a nice room however. Basically they really did not need to leave here for much of anything. They were truly going to basically be on their own here which was nice actually. Hinata was sure they would rarely be bothered. "Just l-leave my things in the hall. I'm going to start cleaning." Hinata said softly. It would not take too long to get the main room clean at least.

Noticing the envelope she slowly walked over to it. Biting her lip softly as she opened it. Curious what her father had written inside. Her face turning about ten shades of red as she continued to read the letter addressed to the two.

Looking at Neji with a small bit of panic her eyes wide. "He...He wants us t-to do it on the b-balcony t-tonight...at nine...in front of members of the branch and main families...it doesn't say how many but p-probably enough..." Hinata said. Her eyes wide. "I..I can't do that...n-not infront of them...no." She said shaking her head once again.

"Not my f-first time a-at least. I can't have them seeing t-that moment. Its too...too embarrassing and and...I just can't." Hinata was basically indicating while she did not like the idea of doing it in front of the clan at all...she hated the idea of doing it being her...their first time in front of so many people. Hinata was not even sure she could keep herself conscious in that situation. She wanted her first time to at least be private...not before a group of Hyuuga members. Hinata's heart racing in her chest as she forced herself to calm down.

 

[east]

Neji was quick to check the time after that, it was turning into the afternoon, about 1 o-clock, which means the two of them did have time. He was unsure about how he felt about such an open display. In truth he didn't like it about as much as Hinata. Putting down her stuff outside, he looked around the room, it needed some serious dusting.

If they focused they could probably have the apartment livable in two, maybe three hours, which would give them four hours to rest before this, and adjust to what they had been ordered too do.

He walked to Hinata, his arms affectionately touching her as he pulled her into a hug. He didn't want to hurt her, and he felt uncomfortable at the idea of her loosing consciousness.

"This is cruel and a tad humiliating." He spoke bluntly, but he knew defying Hiashi as it was, would probably be bad for them in the long run, the man had a lot of influince not just over the family. He had seen many times where Hiashi had made life hell for the Branch family.

"What if it wasn't your first time?" He said catching the implications of her panic'd words, but looking at Hinata more sincerely. "If we focus we could have this room livable in one to two hours, that would give us time to... get more used to one another. Since we are about to clean and thus get rather dirty... what if... we took a bath together after?"

It was the kindest thing he could suggest. Something intimate and private, and well earned if they spent two hours cleaning getting covered in dust and the like.

 

[JamJessica]

Opening her eyes when he wrapped his arms around her body during her slight panic attack she relaxed a little more in his embrace. Obviously still a little panicked but she was slowly relaxing her body. Breathing deeply. Nodding in agreement to her cousins words about it being a bit humiliating and cruel. It was a pretty big understatement but she knew what he was saying.

When asked basically how she would feel if it wasn't her first time she shrugged slightly. "I...I don't know...but it seems like allot to ask for." Hinata truly did not know if it would be easier if it wasn't her first time but she had a feeling it would be just as bad for her. Seeing those people, watching him do those things to her...

Listening to his next set of words and looking into his eyes she slowly nodded her head in agreement. "O-Okay...I guess we can...it might h-help...a little." Hinata agreed softly. As embarrassing as that might be she knew it would at least allow her time to get used to her husband and hopefully at least be a little more comfortable.

Rubbing her face she hugged him gently, relaxed a little more, not as panicked as she had been.

"L-Lets start cleaning then." She said wanting to get her mind off of it.

((You can skip to when they are done cleaning if you would like))

 

[east]

The hardest part of the cleaning had been getting the wood floors clean, it had basically taken them getting down on hands and knees dry dusting followed by mopping up after. It was a mess, and it took just about as long as Neji had anticipated by the time it was done and their new home had been aired out the two were standing in a calm room, settled with most of their things moved in, Hinata's room had also been put in boxes and moved up to their balcony once they had left it.

Neji felt a touch sore, but as they finished up his mind drifted to the clock, when last he checked it had been 1, and now it was four, which only gave them four hours before the family would be expecting their twisted little show. Neji kind of wondered if Hiashi was getting some kind of twisted satisfaction or if this was some sort of attempt to get Hinata to step forward. It sort of felt like he was being used as a weapon to push Hinata out of her comfort zone.

With the rooms cleaned, Neji walked into the now spotless bathroom the two would be sharing from now on. It too had been a bit of a nightmare to clean up, and the sink here still had some signs of rusting, but it was the bath that had him the most curious.

It was probably one of the largest he had ever seen, the tile flooring actually had a slight inclined staircase leading up to it, and it was definetely something that long ago some couple had splurged on renovating becuase he was pretty sure it was nothing like the rest of the estates or at least nothing like the ones he had seen in the branch house. The far side had some letters scratched into it, H+I, definitely the initials of a young couple that had been here before them.

"Okay, so..." Neji looked to Hinata swallowing as he started to fill the bath with hot water, it had two nozzles of running water so it didn't take too long to fill up. "I wonder why this room was abandoned for so long, it looks like any of the other couples probably would have loved to have this place, it's a lot bigger than what I thought we would be getting."

He puzzled over it for a few more moments, before turning to Hinata, and pulling out a stool.

"Take off your clothes and sit, I'm going to scrub your body." He said lifting up a sponge and some lavander scented soap.