Hinata rushed downstairs, practically running for her life. She didn't want Gaara to become angry with her and come after her, right as she was getting a little freedom. She reached Temari quickly who brushed off her frantic look and took her by the arm with a grin.

"Alright Hinata. It's time to go SHOPPING!" Temari exclaimed and she pulled her sister in law out onto the street.

People immediantly turned their eyes toward the two women. Many men tried to hold back their whistles but the first look at Hinata's long indigo hair, lithe body, and china eyes it took alot of effort most men didn't have. Hinata blushed a few shades of pink and temari elbowed her playfully.

"Come on. They like you. Maybe not the best like but you are their Kazekage's wife,might as well get used to it and wave." Temari whispered in her ear and hinata hesitantly waved before going red and dropping it.

Temari shook her head and once more tugged Hinata along.

Hinata's skin was noticeably pale from being kept inside. As they walked along the streets of Suna an old woman stopped them with a basket.

The woman who was bent over and heavily wrinkled looked up at Hinata with sad eyes. Temari sighed and told Hinata to wait there as she went to a fruit stand.

"Here." she said handing the basket to Hinata. "I know the look in your eyes just like I know that the sky is blue. Take this. It'll come in handy one day."

Hinata shook her head. "No.. I can't take this..you keep it-"

The woman cut her off with a scowl."Child. I am over a hundred years old and I have seen life and its shadows, now take this... I was once in the same place you are."

hinata looked closer at the woman, the indigo hair and opal eyes and she took a shaky step forward and put her hand to the woman's cheek.

"w-What is your name?" Hinata asked shakily and the woman smiled her eyes taking a devilish glint.

"HINATA!"

Hinata didn't look away to Temari, who had shouted, because the woman's grin widened and then the woman walked around her and when Hinata turned around a wind picked up, sand whipping in her face and when it settled she was gone.

"Hinata freak wind huh... hey, whats up? Your face is all red. That lady say something?" Temari asked panting with a basket of grapes dangling from her arms.

Hinata looked at her frantically and then away.

"No...no. Nothing, come on.. it'll be dark in a few hours." hinata said taking her arm, a protective insticnt kicking in as she brought Temari ontot he shops a fw blocks away.

Temari was glad Hinata suddenly wanted to go shopping and her eyes brightened and her voice got a little louder. hinata found herself smiling and enojoying the conversation, but the woman she encountered scared her. If that woman was herself in 80 years... then Gaara didn't kill her.. or was that why the woman came to give her the basket she hadn't looked in yet? To warn her and save her from her prisons.

'Hinata? You alright?" temari asked as she lifted a simple violet dress to Hinata's shoulder's. "You seem a bit scatterbrained. Thinking about Gaara?"

Hinata bit her lip and nodded, her thoughts switching from the mysterious woman to Gaara.

"Well what's wrong, something happened?" Temari asked lowering the dress, a look of immense concern coming into her features.

Hinata took a deep breath. "He told me.. he told me he loved me."

There was a moment of silence and Hinata waited anxiously.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? GAARA SAID-"

Hinata jabbed Temari in herthe stomach to keep her quiet.

"Shut up Temari! People are watching!" Hinata cried her face deep red.

Temari was too busy laughing to notice, but then suddenly she stopped. "Wait.. do you love him back?"

hinata said nothing and turned back to the shopping and she raised the dress to he shoulders by herself.

"Temari. This is nice. Do you think I would look good in it?" Hinata asked and Teamri snatched the dress away.

"Forget the dress- but yes you would- and answer my question?" temari said stomping her foot.

Hinata bawled her fists anger swelling. "I don't know. I'm afriad if I let myself then he'll.. Temari I'm frigtened. I want to love him.. really but.. I'm afraid." she whispered and Teamri took her by the shoulders.

"Listen Hinata. Gaara has never cared for anyone but himself all his life... and then when you guys were younger I knew he was happy.. now. I know he fights with himself every day for your safety. He will do anything to keep from hurting you. I know how you feel but he's fighting every day... at least know that." she said and Hinata nodded.

"i know. I do. I just can't help it." Hinata whispered and Temari gave in.

"Alright, but tonight talk to him." she said and before Hinata could object Temari buried herself in more clothes.

At the end of the day, Hinata was exhausted and still she hadn't a chance to peek into the basket as they found themselves back at home.

Hinata and Temari came inside bags on their wrists and Gaara was at the door waiting for them.

"Hinata. Let's talk." he said and Temari and her exchanged glances.

"I'll send them up as soon as I get my things out." Temari said as she took the bags and the basket to her room, without Hianta's objection or reply.

Hinata silently followed Gaara into their room. Her breath was becoming shaky and Gaara felt her fear. He wanted so terribly to pull her close but he didn't want to scare her.

"Hinata." he began softly as he watched her careful movements.

"Yes Gaara?"

he shivered in that voice. He hated his name but when she said it he didn't wish for any other.

"What I said this morning... Your right. I didn't mean it."

Hinata fell dead silent and cold. In a way she was relived but that anger was slowly overcoming it.

"Oh. but I thought-"

"You thought wrong." Gaara said coldly and he felt his alter self take over and for once he let it take over, for her sake.

He stepped toward her menancingly. "I am the Kazekage Hinata. You are a bought and paid for slave. No better then a whore." he said a small sand fist hitting the wall beside her head.

She let out a sharp cry and looked down, tears staining her eyes.

"I'm not.." she took a deep breath and then shoved Gaara, surprise flooding his eyes." Im not a whore!" she shouted punching him but he was ready this time and his sand locked around her wrist and slammed her inoto the opposite wall.

Black spots filled her vision as Gaara's alter ego licked his lip as he watched the blood run down Hinata's face.

He felt something prick his neck and he reached back and plucked out a needle.

"Oh, so it's a fight you want you bitch?" He growled and slammed her against the door the doorknob smacking painfully against her back.

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of her screams instead she spit at him.

"Go to hell you piece of-" She was cut off by a sharp impact to her stomach.

NO

Gaara took control just then as his sand impaled Hinata's stomach.

"No..no.no. dammit. Hinata look at me." he cried as he withdrew his sand and Hinata fell into his arms.

Her eyes were looking up at him and she turned her face away as blood dripped from her mouth. Gaara turned her face back as he shouted for help.

"Hinata.. I'm sorry, that wasn't me.. I'm so-"

"Shh Gaara..." she whispered leaning against his chest. "Don't talk. at least let me pretend I'll die loved in your arms." she said and he shook his head.

"No your going to be okay dammit." he said firmly as Temari came in.

"Jesus Gaara what the hell happened?" Temari shouted and took Hinata into his arms and ran downstairs to the medic.

"I love him." Hinata whispered her mind reeling as the blood seeped out from the wound.

Then she passed out.

end of this chapter

Will Hinata wake up? Duh of course she will! Next chapter coming soon.