Alls Fair
Okay. I like Hinata as much as the next guy, and guys on average seem to like her a lot. She's cute, and adorable. But in those factors she's something of a Mary Sue. She's flawed, but she's definitely a guys fantasy come to life- a complete introvert with low self esteem who has a talent for blind devotion and seeing the good in other people. She's always available, because in the story no-one wants her.
But the fact of the matter is, because of that, once taken away from other people she stops being interesting. She can't carry a story on her own. Now, in some of the myriad, really BAD Naruto fanfics I've written, Hinata has always played a pretty key role. So when writing her, I find it a lot more fun and a lot more INTERESTING to watch her develop from timid, unobtrusive, cutesy Hinata to Hinata the snarky badass. After all, both Hinata and Naruto are characters who were obviously made with the intent of sucking, coming back, and blowing away everyone's former opinions with their mad awesomeness.
So. Here we have a story. In this story we have Hinata, quiet, shy, much more invested in others than in herself, more skilled than she realizes, and prone to guilt. These are defining character traits and they won't go away. HOWEVER, we also have Gaara, the ruthless, existentially confused, unexpressive murdering monster-cum-politician with a heart of gold. Technically probably just as socially inept as Hinata, and probably just as unwilling to start a conversation, although for different reasons. What do you think happens when you take these two non-reactive substances, place them together, and stir?
As far as this story goes, it's going to be the unstoppable force meets the immovable object. There are going to be explosions, there will be drama, there will be very passionate and kinky sex- suitably downplayed for the discerning audience- and finally, at long last, there will be a lot, and I mean a LOT, of yelling. I have every intention of having them bring down at least one wing of the Kazegakes palace on their three month anniversary. So buckle in and put on your helmets.
Oh, and one other thing. Yes, Naruto and Hinata dated. No, it didn't work out. I know, I know a lot of people think they were made for each other, but the story is more interesting if Hinata comes to this with some experience under her belt, yes? Besides, this is a good excuse for them to be in Suna.
One more thing, and then you can finally read. I promise.
There is actually a larger plot here beyond Gaara and Hinata. One of those really bad fics I mentioned before featured much of what we're seeing here as backstory. When I got to the description of Hinata and Gaara and the nature of their relationship, I couldn't help but be intrigued. So. The resolution of the larger issues presented here may get it's own fic, or it may never be made. But in the meantime, we get to have fun with Gaara, Hinata, Temari and Kankurou, Naruto, and Chouji. Enjoy!
"This really sucks."
"Yes."
"No, I mean REALLY. Like, octopus arm suckers sucks."
"…what?"
"Octopi arms? They have really powerful suckers? Can actually tear the skin off a man?"
"… How could you know something like that and still make such a silly joke?"
"Part of my rakish charm?"
Hinata giggled. He'd always been, and probably would always be, able to make her giggle like a schoolgirl. Naruto smiled wryly at the way she laughed.
"Well, it's nice to see that you still think I'm funny, at least."
"I doubt there's anyone who doesn't."
"Hey, lets not go and make this awkward, okay? I mean, I don't think I'll ever stop enjoying spending time with you, so we can stay friends, right?"
"Naruto, this was my idea."
"Well, yeah, but I'd been thinking about it too, remember?"
"I think we'd be hard put to be any more awkward around each other than we were when we started dating. Lets just take it as it comes, alright?"
"Sure."
They smiled at each other gently, and hugged. Both felt a little sad, but relationships changed and people moved on. There wasn't much they could do at this point to stop it.
"This is real touching and all, but I'm right here and I could REALLY use some food." Said another voice. Chouji scratched his washboard stomach, grinning as it growled. Hinata eeped and jerked back, and Naruto stuck out his tongue at the other boy.
Chouji shrugged it off, leaping off the rock he was sitting on, his long white robes flaring around him and brushing the ground. What shade there was under the desert tree was minimal and the discovery of nomadic clothing and its many advantages had been a cause for subdued celebration.
All around them stretched a panorama of nothing much. Sand, sun, and not a cloud in the sky. The small pool and the single, lonely, half dead tree were the only living thing they'd seen for miles.
"I'll get the water started if you get out the dried meats. But no eating them if you want dinner later!" Hinata didn't wait for an answer and started digging through her rucksack. Chouji leapt down and started opening his- he'd insisted on carrying the food- and Naruto made himself busy setting up the tents.
As the sun continues to attack the already subdued desert, the three finish their meal and prepare to sleep. The importance of a brief siesta as the heat truly begins to beat down upon the earth became impressed upon them when they fell asleep sitting a week back. They traveled at night and slept shortly after the sun began baking their surroundings.
As they rose in the evening and packed up, Naruto brought up the subject they were all thinking of.
"We'll be in Suna tonight."
Silence.
"Have we decided where we're going from there?"
"You're the big cheese, oh fearless leader. You figure it out." Chouji snarked.
"I don't want to."
"Then we'll stay in Suna for a bit and move on, like we always do. Just because we're close doesn't mean we have to go back."
"No, I mean I don't want to decide."
"Well, it's going to have to be up to you, because I'm split down the middle and I'm sure Hinata feels the same way. Right?"
"Yes."
"Oh, COME ON. Just throw me a bone? Just an opinion? Help me to help you and all that?"
Chouji sighed. He scratched the back of his head as they trudged over the dune. "I say we get some info on how things are back home, and then we go from there."
Hinata nodded. That was good. Putting off the decision a little longer would be nice.
The three marched in silence for a time. Their minds were preoccupied with old faces and an old life. It was strange how, after six years, Konoha was still home.
"…Who do you miss most?" Chouji asked nervously. He was edging close to forbidden territory here.
Hinata sighed, thinking. "…Neji. Neji and my father."
Naruto put his hands in his pockets sullenly. "Sakura." Hinata winced. A little early for that, Naruto. "What about you?"
"Shikamaru. And my dad, but mostly Shikamaru."
"…Sorry." Naruto said, his shoulders perched high defensively.
"Nothing to apologize for." Said Chouji.
The three lapsed back into silence, which lasted the rest of the night. Not uncomfortable, but edging over depths unplumbed for some time.
And so it was with solemn face and sunken heart that they first looked upon the squat and dry mud bricks of Suna that morning. The village lay close to the ground, hugging it like a large brown lizard soaking up the sun. It took longer than they thought to get there, and when they did the sun of the day had hit full swing. As they approached, they took steps to hide their identities- Hinata adopted a blindfold, Naruto pulled up a hood, and Choui wrapped the nomadic robes tightly around his face. A heat haze stood over the village and the streets were empty- they recalled from past experience that the people of Suna spent their days inside when they could, going out in the early morning and after twilight. The only two people visible were the two men manning the gate.
"State your names."
"Kenji, Hiroaki, and Akane. Hidden Mist nins on a research and surveying journey."
"Estimated length?"
"Depends on the speed at which we gather information."
"Estimated length of stay?"
"Oh, right. Probably no more than a few days, once we hit the library."
"ID?"
They flashed the forged cards the people in the Mizukage's office had given them and strolled inside. The first order of business was lodgings. Anything to get out of the sun. Unfortunately, the city was in a blanket state of siesta. They found no one to direct them to an inn or someone who might have an extra room, and didn't want to risk giving away their fake identities to the guys at the gate.
So they found some shade and sat in it pointedly, waiting for the sun to go down or inspiration to strike. Naruto concentrated on the sun, Chouji and Hinata concerned themselves with the inspiration.
But of course it wasn't as if there was a timeframe at the moment, and their minds started to wander gently. Chouji's turned to the short trip back to Konohagakure, and his best friend. He looked up, but there were no clouds in the sky. Naruto's turned to their correspondents in the organization and concern for the slightly late version of the recent updates. Of course, it could take some time for the messenger birds to find them again. Hinata found her mind wandering due Naruto- his hands traced in the dirt quickly and dexterously, but with no real purpose other than movement. He was always moving. She found herself wondering about his hands and feet- Naruto didn't callous, as his guest helped him heal too fast to build up scar tissue. He was hardy and tough as nails when he needed to be, but he had the hands of a child. She thought, on a physical level, that might be what she'd miss the most about their dalliance. All the little quirks of his body due to his speeded healing. No scars, no sunburn or rashes, no moles- he had a totally unmarred surface, like a walking classical statue. Of course his skin had been through enough that it showed the signs, and it was far from porcelainic, but it had still been nice to know just how aerodynamic her lover really was-
They were jerked from their thoughts by the gradual susurration of feet on sand. A procession was wandering gradually up the street- it was not organized, or the footsteps would have been in time. No, this was more like one man and a collection of hangers on circling him, like sea creatures circling an underwater geyser, seeking sustenance.
And into view strolled the Kazegake. His attendants and advisors were apparently barely a blip on his radar- he was just short of outright ignoring them. The gourd he customarily carried was gone, but the sand around him seemed to move and level in a manner that was a little unnatural, smoothing itself before his feet so that he didn't have to adopt the heel to toe stalk of the practiced desert resident. He moved with confidence and intent, obviously thinking about whatever goal he was on his way towards to the exclusion of everything else. That is, until he looked at Hinata.
With a jerk she came back from her careful consideration of the Sands leader to reality, and realized that Naruto and Chouji had both hidden themselves quickly. She mentally kicked herself for carelessness- she knew better than to make such a stupid mistake. The breakup of yesterday morning had obviously affected her more than she had considered.
Gaara had stopped short, his left foot coming to meet his right and his hands coming to rest at his sides, simply stopping the stride. He stood without inflection and moved without emotion, but his eyes bored into the seated Hyuuga prodigal with a furious intensity, even as his attendants hovered nervously in the background. He raised his arm and pointed evenly at her.
"Bring her to the palace. Give her a room. She will dine with me tonight." He resumed walking.
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Hinata pushed her fingers together, a nervous habit she'd never been able to rid herself of.
Consider the facts, she cautioned herself.
What we know- obviously he has an interest in you for some reason. He is a very powerful shinobi who has more than a passing familiarity with your village. Your eyes cannot have given you away, thanks to the blindfold. While you took the Chuunin exam with him that fateful year, you were only in the same room with him on about three separate occasions, give or take. And you never spoke.
What we don't know- why he brought me here. Why he was outside when everyone else was not. Why he did not ask about companions or if you were traveling with anyone, when you are so obviously just off the road.
Extrapolation- He may have caught some scent of Naruto. He may have been curious, he may find you attractive. He may have been concerned for your health. He may think you are a spy. He may know who you are. He may have sensed your guest. He may want to kill you and shower in your blood.
The method of considering all the possibilities in three stages that Chouji had taught her for thinking in confined situations wasn't helping.
As the situation was, she was in a lavish bedroom, in a building she knew must be the Kazegakes palace. She had been provided some food and enough water to clean herself, and was told curtly not to go anywhere. While Hinata knew she could easily remove the obstacles, it was probably safer not to draw attention right now.
She realized belatedly that she had started pacing. She stopped. Calmed herself. She sat and adopted a breathing exercise, in through the nose and out through the mouth. She adopted the lotus position and continued. The not-quite meditation calmed her, kept her from jumping to conclusions. Best to take things as they come. No doubt Naruto and Chouji were outside trying to figure out what to do.
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"What do we DO?!"
"How should I know, dipshit!?"
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Anyway, right now her best bet was patience. Not that it mattered because the door burst open at that moment, giving birth to a flood of maids being barked at by none other than Temari of the Sand.
"- and you have only FIVE MINUTES TO DO IT." She snapped at all of them. They rushed around Hinata and started pulling her clothes off her at a breakneck pace, nervous enough that one of them almost choked her.
"Ghhgraaaaagh!" She choked. Temari smirked, smacking the maid upside the head. Hinata was reminded uncomfortably of her younger sister.
"So, did you hit on him or did he hit on you?" Queried the sand nin.
"Um..?"
"Gaara." Said the other girl, as if the question shouldn't need explanation. "He's never shown any interest in a girl before. For a while we thought he might be gay, but he never touched a guy either. So just what happened to spark this little affair?"
"Uh… well, I don't really think this is a date or anything…"
"You stole something from him? You badmouthed him at the wrong moment? You bumped into him? You looked at him funny? You messed up his order at a fast food joint?" Temari started ticking these off on her fingers. "If it's not a date he's had people pulled into his presence for all kinds of unsavory reasons."
This woman was not helping.
"I don't know." Hinata said, bowing her head.
Temari made a disappointed sigh. "Half the village was all excited over the new gossip. You're going to do terrible things to their narrative sense." She turned and whirlwinded back out the door, but not without a parting gift. "He'll see you in half an hour. You're borrowing one of my dresses, so try not to let him break the skin anywhere."
It had been half an hour. Then, in the dining room, it had been another half an hour. Looking around, Hinata noticed that, despite his illustrious position, Gaara lived sparsely. The dining room of the palace had evidence that it had once been filled with sumptuous furnishings and impressive wall decoration. But now it was reduced to unused nails on the walls, a table large enough to seat about four people, four chairs, and a window. What there was present was of good quality, but didn't have much ornamentation. Either the Kazegake believed in the beauty of simplicity, or he didn't give a shit.
Gaara, when he came, made no attempt to start a conversation. The food came. They ate. Hinata ate very little, feeling that if she went too far she might be inable to keep the food down later. Dessert came. They ate. The fare was good, but like the room, simple. Filling and promising of energy for the next day.
When finished, Gaara ordered all the attendants, hangers on, advisors, and jounin out of the room. He sat back in his chair, and asked, "Which do you have?"
Hinata feigned ignorance. "What?"
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Bijou."
"Um, I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about…" She said.
"You have a mark." He said, pointing to her ears where small tufts of navy fur played up over the arches, the fur coming to a point. "And I," he said with great deliberation, "Am nobodies fool."
Indeed he wasn't. Hinata took off the blindfold, knowing he probably wouldn't recognize her. No point in hiding now, anyway. "Nibi." She said, sitting back as well.
"The two tails. A cat girl." Said Gaara, sneering. She felt an unfamiliar emotion. Was this anger? It didn't come naturally to her.
"Better than a murderer." It was out before she could stop herself. But Gaara only grinned at the accusation. "No doubt. So what are you doing in my village, cat girl." The question sounded less like a query and more like a demand to respond.
"Traveling…" She said.
"Interesting. You know that I'm not an idiot and I'm assuming, given your earlier snipe, that you know I could probably kill you without trying, bijou or no. And yet instead of actually answering my question to any perceivable degree you choose, instead, to throw out what may be the vaguest possible answer I've ever heard. Please understand that I didn't stop being a murderer when I decided to protect this village. I just stopped murdering for ME. So, I'll ask you again. What are you doing here?" It was perhaps the longest speech Gaara had made to another person that day, but he was tired and on edge. And the little thing in front of him that far more resembled a mouse than a cat shrunk at his words in a pleasing fashion.
"Where are you going, if you're traveling?" Asked the redhead.
Hinata had had enough. Unfurling, she snapped at him, "I'm afraid it doesn't seem like any of your business." His eyes widened in a way that made her feel warm and fuzzy all over.
He leaned in. "I don't trust bijou." He said, smirking. "I know as well as anyone what they do to those around them when they… lack control." The last was said in a wry fashion, as though he'd committed some social faux pas and not killed people who no doubt numbered in the hundreds. "So a clearer understand of your intentions might keep me from having you either outright ejected or, in a worst case scenario, killed." He waited for her to match his ante.
She leaned right in too, putting her hand on her chin. "Who's going to do the killing? You? I know about you, Subaku no Gaara. You haven't got a bijou anymore. And however much of a hell it might have made your life, without it you aren't nearly as tough as you were with it. So. Do you really think you can kill someone who has the power you lost?" Within her something stirred. Nibi of course was demanding the boys death and ressurection for her dubious purposes, but it had been a long time and Hinata knew how to tune her out. No, this was thrilling. Hinata was no thrill seeker by anyones definition, but this feeling was sweet.
And, at just that moment, the open window was broken loudly by two young men who tumbled through in the least dignified manner possible, ending up in a knot of twitching limbs on the floor. Hinata and Gaara both leapt back, but Hinata stopped early, sighed, and ran a hand over her eyes. These were two of the most dangerous ninja in the world, and they couldn't even stalk a teammate.
Naruto untangled himself from Chouji and stood, rubbing the back of his head. "ouchouch… hehe, hi, Hinata!" He said, waving. She smiled and waved back genially. "We've, uh, come to rescue you! Hi, Gaara." He said, waving at the other young man too.
Gaara looked surprised, angry, and confused, but he rallied quickly. Some sand from the walls poured out, smacked Naruto in the face, and poured back in. Naruto jerked back and said, "What was that for?!"
"Nothing. Just wanted to do it." Said Gaara, folding his arms. "I take it this is one of yours."
"Yeah, but can we get back to the part where you just hit me for no reason?"
"No. So, care to explain to me what… three jinchuuriki from Konoha are doing in my village unsupervised without my prior knowledge or consent?" At that moment Temari and Kankurou burst into the room, weapons at the ready. Gaara held up his hand. "Excellent timing. If the two of you had been here any later they might not even have had to fight you. Except, you know, by then I'd already be dead."
"Nice to see you talking more." Said Naruto, sighing.
"I find it satisfying." Said Gaara, his face still immobile.