Hinata looked down at him as she stroked his soft red hair. Her husband. Thats what he was now. She smirked, from slave to wife. Sold by her father to the man sleeping in her lap. She used to a ninja, respected and happy. Now...

Gaara shifted in her lap and looked up at her.

"Hinata..."

She smiled, even through all of her hardships, she liked Gaara. On the days when he wasn't in a rage and let out his frustration on her, he was kind and caring... but those times seemed to be getting farther and farther spread apart. She pushed the thought away.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama?" she whispered and he scowled.

"why do you insist on calling me that?" he asked his voice low and on the edge of anger.

She smoothed his hair again. "because that would be what you are. The kazekage and my master." she answered soothingly but Gaara sat up.

"But my name is Gaara! Hinata. Its Gaara." he said and she sighed.

They had known each other since she was thirteen, they even dated once... but he had to go back to Suna. A year before she was sold to him and made his wife and bject of brutality.

"You used to always call me by my name when we were younger. My feelings since then hasn't changed..." he said and she shut her eyes, not wnating to rememeber that.

Because if she did, the memory of him now would taint that.

She bowed her head. "Sorry. Gaara."

He looked up at her for a long time and then gently rested his head on her shoulder, his arm around her waist. She placed a hand on his hair and the other on his back.

"You really must hate me..."

She stiffened slightly and he sighed against her shoulder. She quickly appeased him before he could get angry and something terrible could come of it. She kissed his hair.

"No. I dont hate you." she paused." Gaara. I would never hate you. Just sometimes I get confused. Thats all." she whispered and he laid her down on the bed. and kissed her forehead.

"thanks.. I'm trying though. I'm really trying to control myself." he said softly and she fought hard to keep her doubts and worries from her face but he saw them like he saw her face and he pulled away.

She wanted so desperatelyto call for him to come back but she touched the bruise on her cheek that was just starting to turn purple, and it shut her up. She watched as her husband walked out of the room, whispering goodnight.

She shut her eyes, never falling asleep. As he came back in after two hours and twelve minutes (she had been counting) he came back in and climed into bed. She slowly and inconspicously started to shift, untill she rolled over and snuggled into his chest. She only did this because she felt terrible for making him feel guilty.

She felt his hand on his hair as his sand drew the balnkets over them.

"I love you." he whispered.

i hate you. A part of her thought.

Next morning

Hinata gently pulled her hair into a ponytail when he felt her behin him.

" I hate it when you put your hair up." Gaara said with a sigh and she turned to look at him, somehow, because of last night she averted her eyes.

"Sorry.. I-I'm going to go out-" she stopped when Gaara raised an eyebrow. "dont worry, I'll just be going to shop with Temari..."

Gaara rolled his eyes,"No."

She opened her mouth to object but she shut it just as quick and locked away her emotions. She nodded.

"Okay." she said and took down her hair.

Gaara watched as she walked out to the balcony, watching the city go by her. She was so angry ahse wanted to throw herself down and die. She could never do anything! A husband wouldnt contain his wife like a prisoner or rape her because he had a bad day. She sat down on the stone floor of the balcony and peered through the bars. A prison.

Gaara hated doing this to her, but she had tried to run away twice... he couldnt risk losing her again. He knew if she left and was found later, he would surely kill her... so he was protecting her in his own way by keeping her locked inside this house.

Temari came in all smiles. "Are you ready Hinata?" she asked walking past Gaara to where Hinata was sitting.

"I'm sorry Temari. I cant go with you." Gaara heard her give a small reply and he inwardly smacked hiimself in the face.

"GAARA YOU ASSHOLE!" Temaris voice blared and she stormed back in.

"Whats your issue? She's going to be with me! Why not let her go and I know its you who's not letting her go." she growled and Hinata saw Gaara's eyes narrow.

"She is my wife! Therefore I will do whatever I want." he said shortly and Temari snorted.

"No! A husband wouldnt lock her up like a slave... oh wait thats what you bought her for in the first place!" she shouted. " You treat her like a child and you hurt her.. you dont even care! Have you ever stopped to think that maybe if you were a little less selfish-"

"Stop it Temari." hinata said shakingly and they looked at her. "Just stop fighting! Please..."she whimpered and he took a step toward her but she ran to the balcony.

"No! No!" she shouted tears in her eyes. "You cant do what you want! Don't hurt me..."

Gaara pulled her sharply into his chest. "Temari. Get the hell out. She'll be ready to go in a few minutes."

Temari knew he hated to see her tears and he was doing this only to keep her from jumping off that balcony. She nodded and walked out.

Hinata slumped against him, trying hard not to cry, Gaara eased her into his lap as he sat down on the bed.

"Hinata.. Hinata please stop crying. I'm sorry it went that far." he whispered and he waited as she softly stopped her crying.

He wiped away her tears and touched the bruise on her cheek lightly before looking away.

"You should get ready... Temari is waiting for you." he whispered.

He let her stand and she returned to press her warm lips to his. He shivered and pulled her to him and this time she didn't fight it, she moved with him and when he pulled away she was smiling at him her cheeks flushed.

"I love you." he blurted and she froze.

He quickly amended himself. "I meant.. I love it when you kiss me."

But the damage was done and hinata was pushing her fingers together and tying her hair back in a ponytail.

"hinata."

She jumped, startled. "No. You can't trick me. I know you dont mean it.. your trying to trick me." she said backing up into the wall her eyes wide with fright, her mind on the edge of a psychotic break.

he cringed. "I'm... not... I'm sorry.. Hinata... I'm not trying to trick you."

She watched him carefully and then slowly walked backwards to the door and she bowed.

"...Hai. Kazekage- Gaara. " she said and ran out.

Gaara growled as he sunk into his bed. If she didn't hate him before she sure hates him now!

Nice going Gaara.

Shukaku had long been expelled but instead he was left with an angry other self. HE growled.

SHUT UP! I know she will love me.

Even if you have to force her?

The question lingered dangerously in his mind.

up next

More to come! Read and review. Next chapter is a bit longer.