Desert Flower

Author's Note: This is a Sasuke x Hinata x Gaara story. That pairing performed pretty well on my pairing poll and thus, I've decided to give it a shot. This will take place after the war with flashbacks to before. Anything before the war will be shown in flashbacks. If any of that bothers you, you might want to turn back now. For those of you still here, I hope you enjoy this story and reviews are always appreciated.

Gaara's and Sasuke's Relationship: I did go back and forth about this for awhile and a few people weighed in on the nature of their relationship, but I've come to a decision. Sasuke's and Gaara's romantic affections being focused solely on Hinata, but they will have a strong bond. There will be no yaoi in this story, but some of my other stories have yaoi. Happy reading.

Dedication: This is dedicated to gabrielleannele who requested this pairing specifically and is an extremely early birthday present to her.

Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no profit off of any of my fanfics.

Chapter 1

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?" Sasuke watches the Kazekage warily.

The red head was currently looking at some important papers. Transfer request papers. An occurrence that was somewhat unusual by itself, but made even more so by the name at the top of the papers.

Hinata Hyuga wanted to become a Sand Ninja. He almost couldn't believe it. The woman had always been so devoted to the Leaf Village and she was the Hyuga Clan's Heiress. Why would she want to move here?

That's when Baki strides into the room and bows. "I am sorry to interrupt, Lord Kazekage." He hands him a scroll. "It seems that that the Raikage is rather interested in scheduling a meeting to discuss trade later this month and I told him I would give you the scroll without delay."

Sasuke feels a bit of irritation at being ignored, while not being ignored. That was how Baki tended to treat him. It was as if the man thought he was one of the lions that prowled about on the outskirts of the desert.

Baki seemed to believe looking him directly in the eye would cause the Uchiha to attack him or something. Not that he could fully blame him, but it was still frustrating to see the slight tremor in the experienced ninja's body as he 'subtly' glances at the raven haired ninja while handing Gaara the scroll.

"Yes, thank you, Baki." Gaara nods at him approvingly as the other man bows and quickly takes his leave.

Pft. The Sand Villagers were slowly growing more used to him, but it had only been about a year since Sasuke transferred. These sorts of things took time, he knew.

"I am sorry for that." His friend smiles at him. "A Kazekage's work is never done."

Sasuke shrugs in response. "It's fine." True the older ninja's treatment of him had gotten under his skin, but Gaara was a busy person. "I understand that you're busy." The Uchiha looks towards those papers once more with wary eyes. "Now, what about Hinata?"

Gaara looks back and forth between the scroll Baki had given him and Sasuke. To anyone else, the red might have seemed distracted. "I'm sure." Sasuke knew the truth though.

The Kazekage was thoroughly focused on him. Those eyes of his were still just as piercing today as the day when Sasuke met him. Gaara was a ninja who was firmly aware of his environment. That was likely at least partially due to the sand, but the Uchiha also knew that it was largely because Gaara was Gaara.

Back to the subject at hand, Sasuke could certainly understand why his friend would want Hinata to become a Sand Ninja. The reasons were numerous, but he didn't understand why the bluenette wanted to come here in the first place.

Didn't Hinata understand that meant she was forfeiting her title as the next Head of the Hyuga Clan? That she would be leaving behind her family, her friends, and have to start over in a village that bore very little resemblance to the one she was used to?

"I'm sure that it's tempting for you." It had to be. "The chance to get a new bloodline in the Sand, a medic, and to build goodwill with the Hyuga Clan and by extension the Leaf Village." Sasuke could acknowledge that much as he pours them both a glass of water.

Ever since the war, the ties between the Sand and Leaf had only been growing. Their alliance was a firm one, especially with Temari's engagement to Shikamaru. Though this would go one step further.

It took a great deal of trust to 'split' a bloodline between two villages. "You don't think that she'll be an excellent addition to our village?" That required either both villages agreeing on such a thing or a Clan to split on its own without the native village's permission.

Sasuke decides to choose his words carefully as Gaara takes a sip from his water, before doing the same. "On paper, I doubt there would be a better fit." Which was far different than reality. "Have you even spoken to Hinata before?"

He had grown accustomed to such things now. Gaara always had glasses by his desk and water available in jugs nearby for his guests. It was just how the man played the part of a considerate host, the Uchiha supposed.

After all, they were in a desert and dehydration and heatstroke certainly didn't care whether one was a ninja or not. It struck both civilians and ninjas alike with equal ferocity. Like a thief in the night.

Gaara tilts his head as though considering this. It was likely that he had. "In passing. She is a good friend of Naruto's and I am a friend of his." That made sense. "She's always struck me as a rather friendly, though quiet woman. I don't foresee her causing any issues."

It was an accurate assessment, Sasuke decides. "I haven't talked to her much either, but she is the Hyuga Heiress. She's used to a vastly different life than she would find in the Sand." Still the last Uchiha really wasn't sure about this. It was one thing for him to transfer to the Sand Village, but Hinata?

"You're afraid that the wallflower won't be able to handle the harsh Desert Sun?" Well there was that too, but it wasn't the weather he was concerned about. "That is unexpectedly chivalrous of you." Gaara was now watching him with open amusement as someone knocks on the door.

"Come in." The Kazekage's voice betrays none of the mirth that was dancing in his eyes as Matsuri prances into the room.

Matsuri was definitely the most bubbly Sand Ninja that Sasuke had met thus far. She also seemed to have a thing for Gaara.

"Good morning, Lord Kazekage." She smiles at him and then bows politely to Sasuke. "Sasuke." Sasuke had to give her this much though. The woman certainly had better manners than Baki.

"Matsuri, what is it that you want?" Gaara tilts his head in confusion.

She smiles and hands him a paper. "Remember, you agreed to stop by the Academy later." Ah. That was right.

Gaara in a classroom was always an interesting sight to put it mildly. It felt too much like watching a wild leopard prowling around. It was freaky, but the red head did still try to visit at least once a month.

"I'll remember." He gestures towards the paperwork. "Well I'll see you later, I'm afraid that there is still much work to be done here." Matsuri nods and quickly scurries off through the door like a little mouse or bunny. "Sorry about that, Sasuke, what were you saying?" Gaara looks at him.

The Uchiha shakes his head as he tries to collect his thoughts. "The Sand's culture is radically different than the Leaf Village's." It had even taken him awhile to get used to. "It's at once more subdued and more wild at the same time."

Gaara smirks at that. "Are you referring to our traditional dances?" It was obvious that his Kazekage was enjoying making him squirm as Sasuke tries to be tactful.

Well yeah. There was that. The Sand might have been a quieter villager than the Leaf, but it was also far less shy about the human body. Some of the outfits that its people would wear during traditional festivals would have made for very interesting material for Jiraiya's books.

Yes, Sasuke had read them. It was only natural. He had to do something in the Sound late at night to pass the time and he did eventually want to restore his Clan. That and of course, he had been curious to see what had so captivated Kakashi about them.

Sasuke snorts and nods. "Partially." He had long since ceased trying to hide his natural reactions to Gaara in private. "Don't play the part of a fool. You know that the Sand is very different from the Leaf." In public, he didn't mind playing the role of a loyal and obedient Sand Ninja. In private, things were far more equal between the two friends.

He had never expected to become friends with Gaara, especially considering how they met at the Chunin Exams. It had happened though. The red head had been right about many things, even back then.

"You there, what's your name?" Sasuke had pointed towards the Sand Siblings.

There was something off about the red head. He radiated some sort of wild authority over his teammates. His teammates who seemed to genuinely fear him.

"Who me?" The blonde smiled at Sasuke and actually giggled.

He shook his head. "Not you." Sasuke's eyes were still fixed on the red head. "The one with the gourd on his back."

Gaara had turned around and locked eyes with him. Those eyes were intense. He felt as though the red head was actually staring into his soul and that was a very unnerving feeling.

"Gaara of the Desert." He tilted his head. "I'm curious about you too."

It didn't take long for Sasuke to find out what the other boy meant about that. "Your eyes are like mine. You thirst to prove your existence in the same way." He sounded psychotic. "Which is why I will enjoy killing you and proving that my existence is stronger than yours."

Now, Sasuke knew what that raw power was that he had sensed from Gaara. Bloodlust. He didn't now what had happened to the other boy to make him this way, but he was now a creature of instinct and one that wanted him dead.

They had fought each other in the Chunin Exams, but in the end Sasuke had been fortunate that Naruto intervened. Gaara hadn't kept his promise, but it certainly hadn't been for a lack of trying back then…

"You're right to have concerns about her transfer." Damn right. "I remember when Kankuro urged me not to approve your transfer." Gaara actually smiles at him. "He was wrong about you and I think you're wrong about her." Maybe.

Sasuke doubted it though. "Alright." There was no stopping him. "The Leaf will take her back, if this doesn't work out though." He was sure of it.

"I'm quite certain they will, but do you not remember the Chunin Exams?" Gaara presses the stamp down on the formerly pristine white papers. "She may be a wallflower now, but I expect that she'll fully bloom soon."

"I hope you're right, but I never saw her match." Sasuke nods. "Maybe, she'll become quite the fierce little Desert Flower." The thought made him laugh softly.

Sasuke mostly knew her as the shy girl in the back of his Academy Class. The one who had followed Naruto around and was too meek to say even one unkind word to anyone. He couldn't imagine her living in a village as primal in the Sand, but maybe she would surprise him.

The red head frowns as he nods. "Right. It slipped my mind. It certainly didn't take you long to pick up on Kakashi's bad habit of always being late though." Wonderful, even Gaara knew that the CopyCat Ninja was always late for everything. How embarrassing.

"It's a shame though." The Kazekage smirks at the memory. "It was quite the exciting match. She lost, but she did put up quite the valiant effort."

Sasuke was sure that Hinata had. Naruto had gone on and on about what a jerk Neji had been to her. Apparently, Hinata's cousin had nearly killed her. Which was odd because later on, the other Hyuga had actually died protecting Hinata and Naruto.

Time was a funny thing. It could change people in unexpected ways. He and Gaara were living proof of that.

"I'm sure she did." Sasuke nods in agreement.

Gaara was right thought. Kankuro had protested his own transfer and Sasuke knew that many more had. Despite all that, he found that he quite liked living in the Sand and so far, he had proven all his detractors wrong. Hinata could do the same.

"Big sister, do you really have to go?" Hanabi looks up at Hinata back in her bedroom with tearful lavender eyes.

Her sister was close to crying and it was all Hinata's fault. The bluenette was the one who was deciding to leave her village and Clan behind. It must have been hard for someone like Hanabi to understand.

The younger Hyuga woman had never known the pain of unrequited love. Hinata could only hope that would forever remain the case though because she didn't want her sister to suffer as she did.

With that thought in mind, she embraces her tightly. "I think that it's for the best." Forcing herself to smile. "You'll be a far better Clan Head than I could ever be and it will give me a chance to start over." She wouldn't let her smile falter in front Hanabi. "That and it will strengthen the ties between our villages."

At least some good would come out of her broken heart. The Sand would get a new bloodline, a medic, and the alliance would grow even stronger. Really, leaving the Leaf was the best thing she could do for her village.

"I still don't want you to go." Hanabi sighs as embraces Hinata even more tightly. "I hope that you find happiness in the Sand though and I'll write you all the time."

Hinata smiles at her sister's reassurances. "I'll be sure to do the same." The bluenette shakes her head and sighs. "Though I'm still waiting to see if the Kazekage will approve my transfer or not."

"He'd be crazy not to!" Hanabi looks up at her. "You're really strong in your own way and you're a medic. I heard they've been short on medics since the war ended." That wouldn't surprise the bluenette, if that were the case.

There wasn't a single village that had survived the war against Madara without heavy casualties. Though some villages had been hit worse than others. Medics were now without a doubt, the ninjas in the highest demand these days.

"That's true." She smiles at her sister. "Would you like me to brush your hair?"

Their Clan was one that was steeped in tradition. Excessive displays of affection were not usually permitted, even in private. Thus even the simplest of actions, such as brushing someone's hair could take on a tremendous significance.

Hanabi grins at that and laughs as she pulls a couple twigs out. "Probably a good idea." Her smile never wavered, even though she was still blinking back tears at the thought of her sister leaving. "I kinda got carried away during training."

"Mmm yes." The other Hyuga woman laughs softly. "I see that. Just don't allow Father to see you in such a state." To that man, Clan Honor was everything and one's public and private image was certainly a large part of that.

"I know." Hanabi laughs. "It's strange, but in our family the men usually have better hair than the women." That was…disturbingly true.

Gaara smiles in satisfaction at the big red letters that were now displayed so prominently on the transfer papers. "There." He stands up and walks over to Sasuke. "It's done. Now, if you would just Summon Garuda, I'm quite certain he can get these papers to the poor woman before any of our normal hawks or messengers could." He was quite certain because it was true.

Sasuke's Summons were quite impressive. One was a massive hawk named Garuda who was truly majestic and the other was a golden retriever trapped in an enormous snake's body. The latter of which was named Aoda.

"Alright." Sasuke walks alongside Gaara out of his office and onto the city streets of the Sand Village.

As predicted, that elicited commentary from almost everyone. "Summoning Jutsu!" Luckily, this time Sasuke didn't notice.

"Look!" A child was actively pointing at Sasuke, but the chubby kid didn't know any better. "It's Sasuke Uchiha and he's with Lord Gaara!" His manners might be lacking, but his accuracy was not, it seemed.

His mother was more polite though. "You mustn't point at people in such a way." Sadly, Gaara suspected that she would indulge in some whispering and gossip about Sasuke and well him.

The nature of their relationship was always a hot topic of discussion, Gaara muses as he watches Sasuke tie the papers to Garuda's massive foot. It was only to be expected, really. They had nearly killed each other more than once and the fact that Sasuke had attacked the Kage Summit, probably didn't help matters.

"You're exactly like I was." It had come down to this, Gaara observed as he watched the other man. "You're consumed by your own hatred and you're trapped in darkness." The sight of the other man brought a silent tear down the sides of his face.

It had been like looking in a mirror. Only a couple years ago, there had been no difference between him and Sasuke. Now, they were worlds apart. Because someone had finally helped him out of that darkness. Naruto.

"I'm nothing like you!" Sasuke lunged at him with his fire coming at the Kazekage fast and furious. "My pain, my despair, is more than you could ever possibly imagine!"

Gaara barely managed to put up a sand shield in time to stop the other man from cutting his eye out. Even then though, it hadn't been completely effective. The point of his blade came far too close to the red head's eye for the Kazekage's comfort.

"When one is in the dark for so long, even a ray of light should be easily noticeable." It had been painful to watch the other man drown in his own hatred and bitterness. "Yet, you constantly turn away help from all those that try to help you. You're lost, Sasuke…but it doesn't have to stay that way."

Unfortunately, Gaara hadn't been able to reach the Uchiha on that day. It was not until at the very end of the war, that Sasuke was able to latch onto a ray of light and slowly pull himself out of the darkness.

"Look at the big birdie fly!" Another child gasps as they look up into the sky.

After the war, Sasuke had gone on a Journey of Redemption. Gaara didn't know the details of the journey. He never asked. It seemed too much like prying to do so, but eventually Sasuke had ended up in the Sand Village.

Sasuke smirks at the child's delight. "His name is Garuda and flying is something all hawk's excel at." To everyone's surprise, the village appeared to agree with him for whatever reason and eventually, Sasuke had chosen to become a Sand Ninja.

"That's one big damn hawk." A Sand Elder watches Garuda streak through the sky with awe equal to that of the child.

Yes, it was one big damn hawk. The man was right about that much. So was Sasuke.

That was something that the red head had noticed about his friend awhile ago. The snake and hawk symbolized him perfectly in different ways. Sasuke was certainly an animal that enjoyed his freedom, flying through the air. He was also a snake slithering in the grass. A survivor who was misunderstood by all, but a few.

"Well I would say that letter will get to her shortly." Gaara smiles as he places his hand on the other man's shoulder. "Shall we go and get some food? I hear there is a special on the tomato salad today at the Ramen Shop."

Gaara had recently ordered the construction of a Ramen Shop in the Sand. It was mostly for when Naruto visited, but the restaurant was doing good business in his home. It also sold a lot more than just Ramen. (Much to Sasuke's relief).

"Sounds good." Sasuke shakes his head and scoffs. "I will never understand how the Loser can practically live off of that stuff."

Yes, Gaara was a bit perplexed by that as well. It must have been because of the Nine Tails. Clearly, Naruto was not getting the proper nutrition that he needed, but he was still a bundle of excess energy. It was astounding, really.

"Me neither." Gaara shrugs as he walks with Sasuke towards the Ramen Shop.

Someone was sweeping the street as they made their way there and talking to a friend. "I think he's going to stay." Obviously, the villager was talking about Sasuke.

Civilians. Apparently, they didn't realize how good ninja hearing could be because Sasuke flinches slightly when he hears that. They continue carrying on about their conversation as if nothing was wrong though.

"Most likely." A sandy blonde woman nods her friend in agreement. "He's been here for awhile." That was true.

In the interest of making sure that Sasuke didn't throw an Amaterasu though, Gaara quickly escorts his friend to the Ramen Shop. Once he got some of his beloved tomatoes in his system, the other man would settle down.

He sighs at the Uchiha as the two of them sit down. "They don't mean any harm." Gaara had been mostly joking about the Amaterasu, but it was still better safe than sorry. "You know that, right?"

Sasuke shrugs as he pays for his order. "I know." It still bothered him though. That much was very obvious. "It's not as though I don't deserve to be gossiped about. I deserve that and much worse."

Gaara rolls his eyes at his friend. "If the world gave people what they deserved, we'd both be long since dead by now." He smiles at him. "We're not though. We've been given second chances and speaking of that, when can I expect an Army of Mini Uchihas running about and terrorizing the village with their Bubble Eye Jutsus?"

"An Army of Mini Uchihas?" Sasuke was scoffing again. "Bubble Eyes Jutsu? What the Hell are you talking about?"

Well Gaara thought it was very obvious as he pays for his order of Ramen. "I was under the impression that you wanted to restore your Clan." Sasuke nods at that. "Which would imply you want to father several children." Again another odd. "So the army comment should be self-explanatory."

Gaara smiles as he takes his Ramen, a few minutes later. He begins to eat it while he waits for Sasuke to get over his indignation. Fortunately, that didn't take very long.

"And what about the Bubble Eyes Jutsu thing?" Right.

That he would have to explain more. "I've seen your childhood photos." They were most amusing. "You had the largest pair of bubble eyes in the Five Great Nations as a child." Gaara smirks gleefully. "I presume that is genetic." To which Sasuke flings a piece of tomato at him.

"I did not have Bubble Eyes." Sasuke twitches. "The Loser is clearly putting stupid ideas into your head." Yes, he did have Bubble Eyes and Sasuke knew it was true!

Gaara shakes his head in amusement. "Whatever you say." His smirk didn't disappear though. "You shouldn't be so self-conscious about it though. I'm sure that we can find you a bride who will appreciate having children with bubble eyes." Perhaps he had gone a bit too far with that one because Sasuke pins him to the floor and suddenly he and the Uchiha were engaged in an informal wrestling match.

"Take that back!" Sasuke was glaring at him as Gaara's sand tries to protect him from the irritated Uchiha.

Pft. He was not taking it back. "I'll never take back the truth. You know that the Bubble Eyes Jutsu exists!" It was true and Gaara didn't care that the entire Ramen Shop was now staring at them because of that.

Whether or not Sasuke wanted to admit it, he really did have Bubble Eyes as a child. That and Gaara was quite certain that somewhere out there, there was likely a woman that wouldn't mind that.

Speaking of women though, he really hoped his own siblings would stop trying to set him up with people. Gaara didn't really expect he'd ever marry, but if he did…he could find his own Bride. Well of course, that was assuming Sasuke didn't manage to strange him in the meantime.