Blind Dates and Moonflowers

Chapter 2

The whole trip to Konoha was more like a funeral march then a trip. Gaara growled and snarled the whole way there. Temari thought she would lose it when Kankuro added to her stress by whining "Are we there yet?"

"I am surrounded by children. " She sighed then quickly shut up after the dirty look Gaara gave her. So to relieve her stress she hit Kankuro over the head the next time he started with his whining. When they reached the leaf village it was close to dark. Gaara was happy with that since it ment another day delay in this cursed blind date his sister was forcing him into going on. When he noticed they were asleep he snuck out and went for an early night stroll. Even though he no longer had Shukaku in his body he still was a nocturnal person.

The streets were deserted. It seemed to him all of Konoha village were morning people. He thought he would see at least a few late niters like himself. Not that he wanted company he preferred to be left alone especially after the week he had just had.

"I don't need a stinking woman in my life to be Kazekage." He grumbled out loud as he headed out to the forest. The night was filled with a glowing full moon which cast a brightness to everything around. It was actually quite pleasant for a late summer evening. There was a soft cooling breeze blowing through the trees as he jumped from one to another. Soon he heard the sound of water and went to investigate. Looking down he saw a small pond surround by vines and plants. To his surprise he could see a young woman sitting on a log staring at what he was not sure. The only thing he could see really was her long dark blue hair. 'What on earth is she staring at?' Jumping down he slowly approached her.

Tilting his head he frowned. "What on earth are you looking at?"

"Huh! What the…!" The startled woman squeaked. Turning to face him .He took note of her she was quite stunning.

"K… Kazekage." She stuttered is shock giving a quick bow.

"Please no Kazekage just call me Gaara. I have had enough of formalities this week."

"Hai." She smiled sitting back down on the log and staring ahead. Gaara thought her smile was the most stunning one he had ever seen. Taking a seat next to her he tried to figure what she was looking at.

"What are you looking at?" He asked as he squinted ahead thinking maybe it was something hard to see.

"Oh, I am waiting for the moonflowers to open." She laughed lightly.

"What is a Moonflower and why do you need to wait for it to open?" He was totally perplexed by this unusual woman. Looking over at him she giggled her hand going to her mouth.

"See these vines here." Her small hand reaching out and touching one. "When it is fully dark and the moon is high these little buds will open up to a beautiful white flower that has a heavenly scent. That is the only time they will open. "Looking over at him she smiled. "I plan on picking some to use in my herbal remedies." When he looked back at her he noticed her lavender moonstone eyes.

"You are a Hyuga are you not?" She looked at him unable to read his face and sighed.

"Yes I am a Hyuga. My name is Hinata and yes you don't even have to say it I know I have weird eyes." She was so use to Naruto telling her that. Why she had ever had a crush on that clueless boy she would never know. Letting out another sigh she turned back to watch for the flowers to open.

"I don't think they are weird. They are rather pretty they remind me of a moonstone." She turned to him in surprise. Her eyes widened at his statement.

"Thank you. You are the first person to say something nice about my eyes. So Gaara what are you doing out here?"

"Getting away from my sister and the rest of my stress." His eyes traveled back to the vine wondering how much longer till they opened.

"Sorry to hear you are stressed. If you don't mind my asking what did your sister do that has you wanting to get away from her?"

"Blind dates!" He growled causing Hinata to look at him funny.

"Beg your pardon." She frowned as he looked at her and let out a big sigh.

"My sister and the elders of Suna think I need to." He gulped. "Find a girlfriend and start to get serious about marriage."

Hinata started laughing holding her sides. Gaara did not see what was so funny and just glared at her.

"S…sorry." was all she could get out between laughs. Her laugh was rather contagious and Gaara could not help but smirk a bit at this unique woman.

"So Lady Hinata what is so funny about my horrible dilemma?" Raising an eyebrow or what would have been if he had eyebrows.

"I thought I was the only one whose family was so old fashioned that they force dating and marriage.' Her giggles slowly subsiding. He then laughed loudly.

"Ahh, I see why you think it is funny. So you are being force into blind dates by your family also."

"Hai!" She smiled looking back at the vines. "Gaara look." As he looked to where she was pointing he saw the small buds opening. A fragrance he had never smelled filled the air. It was quite intoxicating. Looking around them he noticed the whole area was filled with these Moonflowers the white petals glowing in the moonlight. He was actually awed by the beauty.

Hinata looked over at him smiling. "It is rather breath taking isn't it." He seemed to be at a loss of words and just nodded. Grabbing the basket next to her she stood up and began picking some of the moonflowers.

"Can I help you?" He asked as he watched her small hands gently tug on the blossoms.

"Hai if you would like." They spent the next fifteen minutes quietly picking blossoms and placing them in her basket till it was full.

"Thank you Gaara for your help." Looking up at him a small shy smile on her pink lips.

"My pleasure Lady Hinata." Smiling back at her. "It is getting late I should walk you home."

"You do not need to do that. " Her finger poking together a childhood habit she was never able to break.

"What kind of a gentleman would I be if I did not escort you safely home?" Taking the basket from her hands he began to walk away causing Hinata to quickly catch up with him. They talked quietly as they walked the streets of Konoha and before they knew it they were in front of the Hyuga compound.

He handed her the basket as they neared the door.

"Gaara thank you for helping me pick moonflowers tonight and also for the walk home." Leaning over she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran into the house before he knew what had happened. His hand went to his cheek. 'Did she just kiss me?' He thought as he walked back to his temporary visitor's quarters.

Author notes and facts

Japanese words
Ano...um
Hai...yes
Kami...God

Moonflowers are a real vine flower they are white and it is true they open at dusk (yes i know i said at night when the moon is up but that was for the story)and yes they are very fragrant.

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