Hinata awoke in her bed, still fully dressed and several people hovering around her quarters.
"She's awake!"
The bed shifted as Tenten threw herself across the wide bed towards her, Neji sitting on the edge beside her with a smug look on his face. Sakura, Ino, and her other ladies gathered at the foot of her bed with overlapping exclamations of relief.
"My Queen! Oh, thank God, we were so worried!" Tenten touched Hinata's forehead with the back of her hand. "You're not feeling too cold, are you? Too warm? Oh, please don't try to rise, not in your condition!"
"Lady Tenten, I assure you," Neji allowed himself to touch Tenten's arm for a brief moment. "The Queen is fine. I'm sure it was just a passing moment. Look, there is color in her pallor and therefore, no need to worry."
The woman retreated, her brow still furrowed with concern. "I'll go get the kitchens to prepare something for you." Without another word, she hurried out of the room.
Neji watched her back until she disappeared before turning back to Hinata. "Hmm, it's like she's never seen you faint before. You are alright then? Gaara didn't hurt you, did he?"
Hinata shot up. "Oh, God no! He was…" She trailed off, fingers touching the spot Gaara had kissed. Did this mean he felt more than friendship for her?
"Hinata?" Neji called, placing a hand on top of hers that was still resting at her side. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across his lips as he took in her stunned expression. "Oh? Is someone growing fond of her husband? Or perhaps, a particular part of him?"
Hinata flushed at the implication. She had told no one of her and Gaara's arrangement. "Oh, stop it, Neji, please!" She covered her face with her hands. "Gaara is a good husband and a good king. Of course I am fond of him…"
Her cousin chuckled lowly. "I jest, Hinata. I'm glad you have found a small piece of happiness here. I have found quite a comfortable home here myself."
Hinata lowered her hands, eyeing Neji suspiciously. "What happened to your 'trust no one' vehemence? You were so adamant when we arrived."
"Yes, well I suppose these damn Suna have won me over. They are quite the charismatic bunch, aren't they?"
"They are diplomats, Neji. Charming people is what they do best."
The two Hyuuga smiled at each other. Being away from home had strengthened their familial bond, and Hinata was happy that Neji was chosen to be her companion during this precarious journey.
She sighed and scooted off the bed, fixing her ruffled skirts as she stood. "What is the hour? And where is my husband?"
Neji peered outside. "It's early evening. As for the King, he is—"
"He's here, Your Majesty!" The door burst open and Gaara hurried in, his cloak billowing after him. Tenten followed, a kitchen maid trailing behind her with a tray of food and wine. Hinata nodded her thanks to the maid as her husband rushed up to her, taking both her hands in his own and bringing them to his lips. He held them there, closing his eyes as if relishing in her presence. After a few moment, he lowered their hands, but he did not let go.
"Are you well?" His eyes flitted up and down her form, searching for any injury or distress. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Neji, Tenten, and the rest of her ladies sneak out of the room, affording the couple a bit of privacy.
Hinata smiled kindly at Gaara and nodded her head. "Yes, I'm fine. There is no reason for worry, my King."
It was only then that he exhaled, deeply relieved. "Thank God. I fear I would've gone mad if I had lost you."
Hinata did her best to school her features at his confession. If he noticed her shock, he did not acknowledge it as he kissed her hands once more. She squeezed his fingers affectionately. "Well, your sanity remains intact, if only for today." She teased.
He smiled, a flash of white teeth that made Hinata's heart skip a beat. Nodding, he released her hands and dismissed himself. "Yes, well, let's see if I make it through tomorrow then. I'll leave you now."
"What's tomorrow?"
"Kumo dignitaries are arriving to discuss trade routes along the southern straits. Boring stuff, really, you would hate it." He paused at the door. "Hinata?"
"Yes, Gaara?"
"I really am relieved you're well. Good night."
"Good night, Gaara." He left then, closing the door behind him. Hinata was left standing in the room alone. She couldn't force the smile from her lips even if she tried. Sitting down to her meal, she pondered the day's events.
She wasn't sure when, but somewhere along the line, Gaara's feelings for her had changed. They respected each other as people, and she adored him as a just and fair king to his people. However, up until recent events, she thought him only a friend and protector. They crossed into new territory today, and surprisingly, Hinata was not bothered by this development.
From the beginning, she was never afraid to acknowledge Gaara as a handsome man. He carried himself with grace and pride, and though she was fearful of him, he intrigued her to no end. How they spoke of him in Konoha was no match to the man who became her husband. Instead of cruelty, there was kindness. There was no ice in his heart, but fire that burned brightly for his country and his people. She was proud to be his wife. And tonight, she would tell him.
A knock on the door interrupted her musings. Her ladies let themselves in and immediately busied themselves with tasks around the room. Sakura placed herself behind Hinata, swiftly undoing her intricate braids as the queen nibbled on a piece of bread. "That hasn't happened in a while. You didn't hit your head, did you?"
Hinata shook her head. "No, I'm quite certain he caught me before I fell."
"Oh? He must have been standing rather close to have gotten there in time, or does he just have extraordinary reflexes?" She could practically hear the smirk in Sakura's voice.
"You and Neji both, Lady Sakura. Please give my poor heart a rest."
"I apologize, Your Majesty." Sakura combed her fingers through Hinata's long midnight tresses before stepping around and sitting across the table. "We only tease. His Majesty was very worried for you, you know."
"Yes, he made that clear before he left…" Hinata sipped at her wine. "I… I do believe this union will grow to be a happy one, Sakura. I can grow to love him."
"Will you go to him tonight?" Sakura pressed excitedly.
With a blush, Hinata nodded. "Yes, later. I'll let him work first." She turned her attention to one of her ladies on the far side of the room. "Matsuri, will you bring me my embroidery please?"
The brown-haired girl curtsied and brought Hinata her current project. The handkerchief was a soft green, the stitching half-done along the bottom edge. Matsuri and Sakura aided Hinata out of her dress and into her bed clothes before she settled into her sewing. By the fire's light, she forced herself to focus for the next few hours. She smothered her impatience and apprehension until long after the sun had set.
About an hour after her ladies had retired, she set down her needle and stood. She didn't allow herself to hesitate before walking out of her quarters and down the hallway to her husband's room. The guards outside bowed at her approach.
"Is the king asleep?" She asked them.
The guard on the right answered her quietly, "Yes, Your Highness, His Majesty retired about an hour ago."
She was unsure if she should bother him if he was sleeping, but she doubted he would refuse her if she simply wanted to share his bed in innocence. Without knocking for fear of disturbing his rest, Hinata pushed the door open and slipped inside.
"Gaara?" She whispered. The fire still burned in the large furnace, casting enough of a dim glow for Hinata to see the form of her husband splayed on his bed.
He didn't seem to hear her, for he was rather… Preoccupied. Hinata covered her mouth as she flew to hide behind a curtain that hung near the door. Though positively crimson, she could not bring herself to leave. A grunt escaped Gaara's lips and she thought herself faint all over again. The wet sounds of skin sliding over skin echoed in the large chamber. At the sounds of his pleasure, Hinata was mortified to find her own body responding in kind and against her better judgement, she peeked out from behind the curtain.
He was a sight to behold. Head pressed back into the pillows, his neck, stomach, thighs toned and taut with his exertion. He curled upwards to prop himself on an elbow, gasping as he pumped himself faster.
"Hinata…" He groaned.
She had to grab the curtain in front of her in order to stay standing. He had caught her! Oh God, she would die from embarrassment in this little corner. They would find her body in the morning, surely without her soul! But despite all of this, Hinata was unable to tear her eyes from him. He was beautiful and his ecstasy. And it was her who fueled his passion.
He threw his head back with a shout as he came, his hips bucking upwards as he thrust into his own hand. "Oh, god! Hinata!"
As he descended from his high, Hinata cowered behind the cloth concealing her. She could feel her own desire dripping down her thigh, the heat threatening to overtake her right where she stood. However, she was frozen with fear of discovery. Instead, she waited until Gaara's breathing evened in slumber before bolting back out of the room.
She was in the middle of breakfast when there was a soft knock on her bedroom door. Sakura crossed the room and opened it. She gasped and immediately fell back into a curtsy as the king entered.
Oh God, he knows.
Hinata flew up, wiping her mouth quickly before sinking into a curtsy. She had no idea what to say, how to defend herself, and the gears in her mind stalled as he approached, straight-backed and rigid.
"Hinata." He looked down at her, not unkindly, but with… Reservation? Hesitance? There was something in his eyes that Hinata couldn't quite place.
She paled, throwing in place a facade of curiosity to hide her growing apprehension. "Gaara? Is there something you need?"
Gaara rubbed a hand down his face and sighed. "I want to ask you something, but please don't feel obligated to say yes."
Obligated to say yes?
Hinata's heart slowed a bit. It didn't sound like he knew what she was up to last night, where she was while he was—
She felt the blood rushing back to her cheeks and quickly changed her train of thought. "I'd be happy to do whatever my husband asks of me."
His shoulders seemed to relax a bit at her response. "Will you join me with the dignitaries today? I know I said that these meetings would be troublesome, but I know that Konoha has dealt with Kumo before and you had mentioned some days back that you knew some of the current officers."
The queen flushed. "I— I don't know, Gaara. I will do it, but… I'm a woman? What value do I hold in a room full of men?" What would they think of a king who let his wife speak out of turn? She would not jeopardize his standing, his power in front of these foreign leaders.
"My dear," he started, taking her hands in his. Those hands that she watched as he wrapped them around himself and— She made a show of a coughing fit, quickly pulling away from him. He moved towards her again, rubbing a palm soothingly across her back. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, sipping the cup of wine she still had from her meal. He still looked concerned, but continued along. "I ask that you appeal to their wives. They'll be here as well, and it would do well to have a familiar, beautiful face to greet the men before we go into these tedious negotiations. I don't wish to place you under obligation, but I do hope you'll say yes."
"Of course I say yes. For Suna… For you… Anything." Hinata ducked her head, but met his gaze shyly. His smile was subtle, but his blue eyes beamed proudly as he nodded in agreement.
He reached for her then, and she froze in place as he kissed her cheek and whispered, "I've always known you were the perfect choice, my queen. I'll see you in a little while. They arrive soon."
With that, he left Hinata to prepare for their guests' arrival. She fought the urge to keel over again with every ounce of her being, and after several seconds of struggle, managed to regain her composure. She finished eating and dressed quickly.
As she swept through the halls to the courtyard where she was to meet Gaara, she was joined by Temari in a billow of skirts as she briefed the queen quickly on the events that would occur throughout the day. She nodded along, glancing from page to page that the princess thrust in front of her.
"This is important, my queen," Temari mused. "It is the first time we've hosted dignitaries since your marriage to my brother. Even though you've already met them, impressions are important as they have never been here before. I usually do this, but I suppose it's your job now. I'll be by your side the whole time."
They rounded the corner and stepped into the sunny courtyard, where Gaara stood stiff-backed with his hands clasped behind him. He turned towards them, offering a nod of greeting as they approached. He kissed his sister gently on her offered hand before wrapping an arm around Hinata's waist. He pulled her closer to his side and watched his thumb stroke over the back of her hand.
"Please forgive me for the sudden displays of intimacy. I will explain later." He muttered lowly as to not be overheard.
A red-faced Hinata nodded absently as she attempted to restart her heart, which had evidently stopped beating when she felt Gaara's hard body against her own. She forced herself to rest a hand calmly on his chest and turn her head towards the crackling of carriage wheels as the Kumo company rolled into the grounds. They stayed that way as the two wagons and horde of men astride horses filled the stone-lined space, laughing and chatting amongst themselves. A few dismounted to help the women out of the compartment, leading them slowly towards the king and queen.
"King Gaara." A dark man approached then, arm in arm with a busty blonde woman. Hinata thought the look in her eyes was cold and vacant.
Gaara inclined his head and extended his hand. "Lord Darui. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've been informed you already know my wife?"
Darui bowed before taking the king's hand. "The pleasure is all ours. And yes, Princess— Oh, forgive me. Queen Hinata, it's marvelous to see you again. Ever the growing beauty." He bowed lowly to her, a playful smile gracing his lips.
Hinata giggled behind a hand and returned the expression. "Yes, it has been quite a while, hasn't it, Darui?"
"Indeed it has. Ten years about? We were but children. You have bloomed wonderfully, if you will allow me to say so, Your Majesty. Allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Samui." Gaara took the woman's hand and kissed it chastely, earning himself a coy smirk. Hinata offered Samui a warm smile, but the expression she received in return was anything but. Confused, Hinata looked to Gaara, but he was too busy looking to others in the company to notice the exchange.
He continued to hold her close, whispering names in her ear as they approached. Some she recognized, some she didn't, but she was having some trouble focusing on the task at hand when she could feel Gaara's voice rumbling in his chest as he spoke to her.
The last man to come before them did so alone. Hinata squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. Gaara had said he didn't really know who this man was, but he seemed to be an important part of the company. The king extended a hand in greeting. "Welcome, sir, to Suna."
"Yes, thank you for the warm welcome, Your Majesty." The man, significantly older than the both of them, introduced himself as Dodai, one of Kumo's chief advisors. As he took Hinata's hand to honor her, her fingers touched a deep scar along his palm. A chill ran through her and she gasped. The familiarity of such a mark… It couldn't be.
Hinata recoiled, pulling her hand back and fisting it against Gaara's shirt, struggling to keep the distress from making its way to her face. Dodai eyed her curiously, as if he wasn't at all surprised by her reaction. She prayed he couldn't see how violently she was shaking. Suddenly feeling sick to her stomach, she pressed a hand to her chest and curtsied quickly.
"It's… Ni-nice to meet you, Lo-lord Dodai."
Gaara looked down at her. "Are you alright, my love?"
"I'm suddenly no-not feeling very well. Please e-excuse me." She turned to Temari then and pressed a hand into hers as she whispered, "Ca-can someone please se-send for my cousin? I-I wish to speak to hi-him immediately."
Temari furrowed a brow, but nodded. She beckoned a servant as Hinata hurried out of the courtyard and back into the safety of her castle.
Neji. She needed Neji. He was the only one that could calm her down, keep her safe, protect her from the man with the scarred hand. A nasty knarl that had pressed into her neck as he had wrapped his hand around her throat. As he put the other one over her mouth to keep her from screaming, as he picked her up and smuggled her out of the castle, as he almost made it out the gates with her limp frame hidden under his cloak, as he—
"Hinata!"
His voice was cold water crashing over her, shocking her back to reality. She was on the floor in one of the corridors, her knees pulled her chest as she leaned heavily against the wall and struggled to breathe. There was more than one set of footsteps echoing down the hall towards her. Two faces appeared within her line of vision, more hovering concernedly in the background.
Neji.
He took her into his embrace, pulling her to her feet. The other person, Tenten, she realized, grabbed her other arm and together, they ushered her quickly back to her quarters. Dazed and dizzy, she allowed Tenten to sit her on the bed as Neji thrust a cup of wine into her hands.
"No, none of that right now. She needs to sleep." Tenten took the cup from Hinata's hands and gave to Neji. He seemed annoyed at the admonishment, but let the woman take him by the arm and lead him towards the door.
"Tenten," Hinata called. "Wi-will you stay with me?" She did not want to be alone at the moment.
Her lady nodded and curtsied to Neji, who kissed her hand in return before reaching for the door. "I'll be back later. Lady Tenten. Cousin."
Hinata threw back her covers and nestled herself into the middle while Tenten climbed in after her. She opened up her arms and Hinata settled against her, like they used to do when they were little. While the older woman stroked her hair, Hinata allowed herself to rest.
She awoke a few hours later to Tenten and Neji whispering in the corner of her room. At the sound of her stirring, they made their way to her side. Neji kneeled at the side of the bed, concern marring his usually composed features. "Do you want me to get the king?"
"No, please don't bother him," Hinata pleaded. "He's got enough on his plate right now."
Neji rose and crossed his arms. "Then will you tell me what is happening with you?"
The queen swallowed thickly, unable to meet his steady gaze. "Do… Do you remember when we were children? And the Kumo officials came to visit Konoha?" Neji hummed an affirmation and she continued. "Well, there was a man in the courtyard that I recognized from back then…"
"A lot of the dignitaries are the same as back then, Hinata."
Tenten shot him a look as she lowered herself beside Hinata on the bed, stroking her arm soothingly. "Lord Neji, we must be courteous," she scolded. "Her Majesty has not had an easy morning."
Hinata wrung her hands together as she tried to formulate her swirling thoughts. "There was one particular man, Dodai, he said his name was…" She started again. "He… I believe he tried to ki-kidnap me before." That word almost refused to escape her lips, but she had to tell them. They could help her. She wouldn't have to battle this alone.
"We have to tell the king."
"Please don't!" Hinata reached for Neji's hand. He hadn't move, but she couldn't let him go. "This deal is very important for Suna, and I have already ruined it by my absence. Do not make this any harder for Gaara. I will be fine."
"Hinata, as long as that man is in this castle, you are not safe." Neji's voice was adamant. His protective nature for her had come forward. "This is your home. You deserve to be safe in your home."
She leaned towards him, pulling him down so he was kneeling in front of her. "I am safe. Our guards are diligent and loyal. We do not need to bother my husband with such folly. It was so long ago."
"What do you not need to bother me with?"
The trio turned to face the doorway, where the king leaned nonchalantly against the frame. They all rose and bowed deeply. With a nod of his head, Gaara dismissed Neji and Tenten, who bowed again before casting one last warning look at Hinata and vacating the room. He pushed off the doorway as they approached, putting a hand on Neji's shoulder and whispering something to the Hyuuga before allowing them to leave.
Hinata sat back on the bed facing away from him, wringing her hands together. She didn't look up at him as he stood in front of her, so he knelt to meet her gaze. His eyes were gentle and worried.
"Hinata. What do you need to tell me?"
"Ple-please don't kneel, my king. It is no-not befitting." Hinata couldn't keep looking at him, guilt overflowing until tears welled at the corners of her eyes. He had asked her for something. She had failed him.
"If I kneel for anyone, it is because I worship them with every fiber of my being." He tipped her head up with a finger, wiping away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "God is the first, followed only by you, my queen."
The sincerity in his eyes only made her cry harder, and she folded forward, sobbing into her hands. He pushed himself up to meet her, hugging her to his chest as he moved to sit beside her in the bed. Gaara's calm radiated through her, in the way that he stroked her hair, the way he hushed her frantic breaths, the way he rocked back and forth gently until she grew quiet.
Hinata let him hold her, aware that this was the most contact they have had during their time together. She was surprised to find herself comfortable there, far more so than she had been in the courtyard with his arm around her waist possessively. She stiffened as she was once again reminded of her misconduct. Though she did not want to pull away, she straightened and wiped the salt tracks from beneath her eyes.
"Please fo-forgive me. I failed you a-again, my king…" She kept her eyes locked on her hands, which clung to each other despite how much she wished to reach out to him.
Gaara fixed her with a look. "There is nothing to forgive, Hinata. But you must talk to me. You left in such a hurry."
She contemplated for a moment. "You must promise me that you will not do anything to ruin this deal with Kumo."
"So this has to do with Kumo. With Dodai, specifically." She didn't expect him to have missed her reaction to his touch. One would've had to have been blind to miss it.
"When I was young," she began, "Kumo had come to Konoha to discuss our countries' allyship. Darui was the son of one of the visiting officials, which is how I knew him, along with a few others in the current company. We played as children while our parents went about business…
"It was the middle of the night, but I was alone in my quarters… I woke up because there was a noise across the room. In the darkness, I had assumed that it was my nursemaid, though she had told me that she was to retire for the evening. She often hovered after I had fallen asleep to make sure I was alright… A-and…" Hinata started shivering though her heart pounded from the memory.
Gaara took her hands into his own, allowing her to take the time she needed to recenter herself. She took a shaky breath before continuing. "It wasn't Ko. I didn't have time to scream before he had one hand wrapped around my throat, the other over my mouth for safe measure. I must've lost myself then, or something along those lines because the last thing I remember was being tucked under his arm in my room and then we were suddenly at the castle gates, which had been opened for the feast that night. He was caught then by the guards. I never knew what happened after that. Knowing me, I just fainted again…"
As she trailed off, she peeked behind her curtain of raven hair at her husband. He had taken his hands away while she was speaking. Now they curled into fists, gripping so tightly to the fabric of his pants that his already pale knuckles turned deathly white. He trembled with barely contained rage, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he bore holes into the floor.
Hinata reached towards him hesitantly. "...Gaara? Are you alright?"
He shot up then, heading towards the door, but he paused and turned back to her. "Why do you think it was him, Hinata? Why Dodai?"
She paused for a moment, frightened by the sudden calm that washed over him. "He ha-had that scar on his palm... Like a-a-a gnarl in a tree... There was no mi-mistaking it."
The cold blaze returned to Gaara's icy eyes. He swiveled on his heel and strode out of the room. "I'm going to kill him."
"No! Gaara, no! You ca-can't!" Hinata ran after him, dashing in front of him to block his path. "Please, listen to me! You musn't! I have no solid proof that this is the same man!"
The king stopped as to not run into her. "I'm going to do what your father should have done, Hinata. Stand aside." He took a step forward and Hinata planted her hands on his chest. Finally, he looked down to her. "You can't stop me."
"Yes I can! This isn't just about me!"
"I don't want to strike any deals with a country that thinks hurting my wife is acceptable. As your husband, I'm asking you to step aside. Don't make me ask as your king." He pushed against her hands, but she planted her feet and fought against him with all her might. After a moment of struggle, she grabbed his face in her hands and pulled him down to her.
They stared at each other, eyes flickering to study each other's faces before Hinata whispered, "As your wife, I'm asking you to refrain. As your queen, I am begging you. Don't do this. It was so long ago, and you are here to protect me. I love you and trust you, so please. Do not jeopardize this country's well-being for me. Trust yourself. As long as I am by your side, trust that I will be safe. Please."
She refused to start crying again. She needed to exude the same strength as her husband did, even if that facade was against him. The truth was that she was terrified to be existing in the same space as her attacker, but she also knew that she was relatively well-received among her people, and for Dodai to try to harm her again would be a perilous mistake on his part.
Gaara placed touched her hand on his cheek, taking a deep calming breath. "You think he was working alone?"
"I don't know. Even if my father hated me, if the whole Kumo company was involved, none of them would have lived to see morning."
Pursing his lips, he nodded slowly. Closing his eyes, he turned his head to kiss one of her palms. Hinata gasped at the shock wave that coursed through her. Gaara's eyes shot open, a different kind of fire in his eyes. Hooded eyes locked onto her lips and he leaned forward hesitantly, asking for permission. Though she could feel her face growing hot, she wanted this. Wanted him. He had been nothing but patient with her and she couldn't wait any longer.
She nodded, and that was all he needed. He pressed his lips gently against hers, unmoving as if he was afraid to scare her. Hinata's cheeks were on fire, but she cradled his head in her hands and angled her head to bring him closer. His lips were warm and much softer than she expected form the hard lines of his features.
She felt his hand leave hers to rest on her hip and pull her into him. He squeezed her hip and she gasped, heat blazing through her. Gaara pulled back for a breath, but Hinata chased after him with a whimper, not wanting this to end. He growled in response and crashed down on her again, his tongue running along her bottom lip. She opened herself to him and felt his arm wrap around her waist before her feet left the ground. He turned them, trapping her between the cold stone of the wall and his own body. Through the fabrics of her dress, she could feel his arousal pressing low against her stomach, but it only made her own desire increase tenfold.
His lips left hers to trail down her jaw, nipping gently at the flesh of his neck. She was lost to the world, having never felt this before. Her fingers tangled into the red locks at the nape of his neck as she allowed him more access. She felt his tongue lap against her pulse point and she almost lost herself right then. Her chest heaved and she could feel her peaks tighten under her bodice; she was drowning in his touch and couldn't care less if she was never able to breathe again.
Gaara's hand left her hip, trailing upwards. She could feel him tracing the underside of her breast, and she guided his face back up to hers, her tongue meeting his hesitantly. They danced together as he stroked the backs of his fingers over the exposed swell of her breasts. His other arm tightened around her waist, but he groaned and stepped away, leaving Hinata reeling. He threw himself to the opposite side of the narrow hallway, gasping for breath.
Hinata clutched at the wall behind her, struggling to quell the need in her belly. "Gaara…"
Her husband shook his head. "Don't speak right now, my love. I fear I won't be able to control myself." He swallowed thickly. "I'm sorry. I was too rough with you."
"You dare to apologize to me right now? After making me feel like that?" Hinata's voice was quiet, trembling, but fierce. She crossed the hall to wrap her arms around his neck while he stroked down her sides. Forehead to forehead, they basked in each other. "Please don't. I am well. Happy, even."
His eyes searched hers before he nodded, pulling her closer. "I should go. Would you like to come to the feast or would you prefer to eat in your quarters? I understand if you'd like to avoid that… man." He spit the last word as if it tasted bitter on his tongue.
Hinata stepped away, smoothing out the front of her dress. "Yes, I'll go to the feast. They shall not win this battle, one-sided as it may be." She gave Gaara a tight smile. "I did plan it after all. What kind of hostess would I be if I missed my own party?"
He reached out to stroke a thumb over Hinata's cheek before pushing himself off the wall and offering her his arm. "Come. I'll escort you to your quarters."
Hinata giggled. "But we're just down the hall!"
Gaara grinned at her. She'd never seen anything quite so lovely before. "Milady. I insist."
She allowed him to lead her around the corner to her chamber, almost coming chest to chest with a surprised Tenten.
"Oh! Your Grace!" Tenten dipped into a deep curtsy. "Forgive my inattention."
"Nothing to apologize for, Lady Tenten. Please get the other ladies and help my wife prepare for the feast tonight, if you don't mind." Gaara spoke to Tenten, but his eyes never left Hinata, who was practically glowing.
Tenten grinned and bowed again. "Yes, of course, Your Grace. Come, my queen?"
Gaara kissed Hinata's hand, smirking up at her before handing her to Tenten and heading back down the hall. The queen watched him go, unable to tamp down the smile that graced her lips.
Last part coming sometime this week! Just putting on the finishing touches ;) Thank you for reading!