AN: Finally starting to get these up! These will be on chronological order stretching from chp1 (the beginning) to chp2 (the end) of Freedom unless otherwise noted. I would just like to mention, that I've done my best to keep Hinata and Itachi's verbal dialogue in character. I have, however, taken some liberties with their internal monologue, which I think is acceptable given that Kishimoto has never given us a glimpse inside their heads (except for flashbacks of course)

Itachi watched the young woman standing by the door from his position on the bed as she looked about ready to faint merely because of his presence. Had she been anyone other than his new wife, he might have found the situation highly entertaining. Of course, the fact that she had basically been pushed through the door by the two Konoha councilors only to have it rapidly shut behind her probably wasn't helping the situation, not that Itachi expected any better from that pair of heartless old bats.

The girl swooned once before catching herself on the door handle and closing her eyes, probably trying to steel her resolve, and he decided it was time to do something about the situation.

"Hinata-san," he called to her. She made a cute little squeaking noise and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Y-yes, Itachi-san?" she sounded remarkably unsure of herself.

"I'm sure you're tired after the emotional demands of the day, would you like to get some rest now?" he stated, thinking that his obvious concern for her needs would put the woman at ease. Instead, rather than simply looking as if she would pass out, she now held a look of utter terror and had taken on an interesting green hue making it appear she would become sick and then pass out anyway, just for good measure. Itachi sighed and ran a hand over his face.

'Good lord she thinks I'm going to rape her in her sleep.' he thought. 'how am I ever going to make this work.'

"I can sleep on the floor, or perhaps on the couch in the other room if it would make you more comfortable." 'Please stop looking at me like I'm going to eat you alive. I'm not the monster you think I am.'

Hinata gaped for a moment at this statement.

"I, um… y-you mean," She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, refusing to allow herself to stutter in front of this man anymore, "You don't intend to share the bed then?"

"Not if you do not wish to. I have no intentions of forcing you." he replied.

Hinata released a breath she didn't realize she was holding at this. Time would tell if he was sincere or not, but she would choose to believe him for now. After all, if he wanted to force her, there was nothing stopping him.

Itachi was still waiting patiently for her to decide on his sleeping arrangements when she looked up to find him watching her expectantly. She stared for a moment before she realized that she had never answered his question.

"Um, whatever would be most comfortable for you is fine." came her answer.

"Ah," Itachi nodded, "I'll take the floor then. I'll just go grab the spare futon from the closet."

Hinata nodded dumbly as he made his way towards the bi-fold doors to retrieve the item in question.

"Itachi-san?" he paused and looked over his shoulder at her.

"Why did you want a wife?" He turned to look full at her, a bit taken back by the question.

"When Koharu made the offer of anything I wanted in return for information on the Akatsuki," he paused, 'I asked for the most unreasonable thing I could think of, because I never expected her to follow through. But somehow I doubt that will go over well,' "I asked for a companion, I had no desire to end my days alone, and my current affiliations would make finding a willing mate difficult."

"So you got me," she stated simply, gazing longingly out the window. His chest flooded with guilt at her forlorn expression, though he didn't allow the emotion to show.

"Yes," he replied, 'I'm sorry.'

She simply nodded once again.

"I suppose then," she turned to face him, "It's up to us to make the best of this now."

He allowed a small and rare smile to grace his lips He was starting to make progress.

"That it is, Hinata." 'Perhaps, there is a way to make this work after all.'