Tears streamed down Hinata's porcelain cheeks as she threw herself onto her futon. She buried her face into her pillow and let out a silent scream. This can't be happening! Please let this be a dream!

-Flashback-

*Knock Knock*

"Lady Hinata? Are you awake?" a familiar voice asked just outside her door. Hinata rubbed her eyes and looked at her alarm clock. It was 10:00 am! She'd missed breakfast! Otou-san's going to have a fit, she thought mentally.

"I am now," she replied as she hastily threw on a robe and ran to answer to her waiting guest. She opened her door to reveal her older cousin, Neji Hyuuga.

"Yes, Neji-nii-san?" she asked.

"Hiashi-sama is requesting an audience with me and you," he replied nonchalantly. "You'd best hurry and get dressed." Neji gave her a once over and Hinata blushed at the state she was in. Her hair was sticking up at odd angles and her eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Umm…okay. Just give me five minutes," she said, shaking her head as if it would rid her face of its red stains. She shut the door and Neji could hear her bustling about, rushing to get dressed and not keep him or her father waiting. He gave an almost-non-existent-but-it's-still-there-smile which quickly vanished as soon as Hinata came huffing and puffing out of her room and he regained his cold composure.

"Shall we?" Neji said, more commanding than asking. Hinata gave a small nod and mumbled something that sounding like a yes. He led the way with her at his heels.

They arrived outside Hiashi Hyuuga's office quickly, but as Neji reached for the door, Hinata hesistated.

"Is something wrong Lady Hinata?" Neji, asked, his eyebrow cocked.

"N-no. It's nothing, really," she replied, but her eyes said otherwise. Neji chose not to press the issue. He didn't need to. The entire Hyuuga clan knew that when being summoned to Hiashi's office, nothing good could ever come out of it. Hinata had been summoned on a number of occasions. Hiashi's yells of 'weak' and 'useless' had often been heard down the halls which were usually followed by soft sobs coming from the Heiress' bedchambers.

Neji gave a nod and stepped in to the office. Hinata forced herself to follow.

"Hinata, you didn't show up to breakfast," Hiashi said coldly without looking up from his papers at his desk. "Why is that?"

Hinata assumed her position on the floor in a bow and let her tendrils hide her face. Neji grunted and did the same. His pride did not allow bowing, especially to Hiashi-sama; but it was either that or risk having the curse seal activated for 'forgetting his destiny.'

"I-I, umm, I-I," Hinata stammered.

"Answer me you stuttering fool!" Hiashi bellowed.

"I overslept! I got back late from a mission last night! I'm sorry!" she replied a little louder than intended. She squeezed her eyes shut as she prepared herself for the harsh words she knew were to come.

"Lazy! As always! This clan would fall to pieces if you were head! Luckily, I have a solution to that. The two of you, rise," Hiashi sneered, rising from his seat and moving over to them. Hinata tried to hide the tears that pricked painfully at her eyes as she raised her head to obey her father's command. What exactly was this 'solution'? Was he stripping her of her title yet again? Why was Neji involved? She turned to look at her nii-san, hoping he knew something, but his eyes remained frozen as always.

"Hinata, you are now fifteen and are of age to be married. You will need a strong husband to make up for your weakness and help you rule this clan. Otherwise, this clan would be left to the dogs. How stands your opposition to being married?" Hiashi said sternly.

Hinata bit back a gasp and dropped her head. He was asking her for her opinion? Did she really have a choice?

"If it is for the sake of the clan, then I must," Hinata said, not once raising her head as she let her long restrained tears run down her face.

"Good, for a worthy man has already come to suit you and I have accepted his offer," Hiashi responded and turned to return to his desk.

He would have forced me to marry regardless of what I said! Hinata's mind screamed in protest, but she only bit back harder, causing her to draw blood.

"You are dismissed, Hinata. Neji, stay. I need to have a word with you," Hiashi said, resuming his work.

Hinata stood up quickly, wanting to race out the door and never look back. Instead she gave her back to her father to hide the tears and blood on her face.

"Otou-san?" Hinata said quietly, resisting the urge to scream.

"Hn?" Hiashi grunted, rather annoyed.

"May I at least know the name of my bethrothed?"

-silence-

"Sasuke Uchiha." He replied, not looking up.

With that, Hinata ran. She ran and never stopped till she reached her bedroom. Tears streamed down Hinata's porcelain cheeks as she threw herself onto her futon. She buried her face into her pillow and let out a silent scream. This can't be happening! Please let this be a dream!

-End of Flashback-

-Author's Note- Okay, I've wanted to write a fanfiction for the longest time but I've always feared people would think it was corny. I love writing, but I'm always afraid to share it! Now, I don't really care. This is my first story (it sounded good in my head, but it might sound kinda funky on paper!) so go easy on me. Constructive criticism is welcome, flames will be deleted. PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW! Btw: I know Neji and Hinata are cousins, so if anybody tells me that, I will eat you!