Chapter 2: Plans

Summary: So little t i m e, so much to do…


Sunagakure/ Gaara's Home:

Sitting in his study, Gaara flipped through the many documents that had to be read over and signed. Laws, regulations, and trading policies all waiting to be passed, all they needed were his signature of approval. Sighing he leaned his back against his seat and began to rub his eyes, a habit he did when he was stressed. Letting out a bitter laugh, he picked up a new stack of papers and began reading over it.

I hope Uzumaki knows that being the leader of a country isn't all fun and games. Thoughts of Naruto made the young Kazekage remembered his country's alliance with Konoha. He quickly collected the many pages together and set them in the corner of the desk in a neat pile. Opening one of the side drawers within the mahogany desk, he pulled out a picture that was given to him by Temari.

It was a small wallet sized picture of a young woman around Gaara's age. Her midnight blue hair was blowing in the wind as her pale eyes smiled at the camera. Hinata Hyuuga. Her features weren't strong enough to be considered beautiful: pale skin, thin figure, and too pale eyes. The eyes of a Hyuuga. Looking at her, he still couldn't believe that he had agreed to take her as his wife. The future wife of the Kazekage…

Why is marriage such a necessity? He never could understand that. Sure it helped build stronger 'bonds' between countries (especially if it is a marriage between a leader and a member of a prestigious clan such as the Hyuuga Clan.) But how long would such a bond last between the actual husband and wife, especially if they were complete strangers in every sense.

He shook my head, running a hand through his sandy red hair. This is ridiculous! I shouldn't be thinking of such things. In this case, it was vital to remember the treaty: With this marriage the alliance with Konoha will be renewed so that both countries would benefit and watch out for each other's safety. If Konoha were ever in danger of being under siege, Suna's shinobis would intervene and stop the invaders. The same goes with Konoha if Sunagakure were ever in danger.

This is strange. Now that he thought about it, couldn't this treaty be made without a marriage? That was when a memory flashed back within Gaara's mind. Something that Tsunade-sama had mentioned when they last met, about how the eldest Hyuuga didn't seem to have a place within her own clan.

"She's much too gentle, not a good quality in order to become a full kunoichi." Tsunade sighed as she shook her head. "Her own father doesn't seem to claim her either."

I knew that feeling almost too well… As if remembering his own family, her eyes widened. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"

With his right hand raised high, he excused her from her statement. "It's all right. What was in the past was behind us for a reason, so that we can move on."

"Heh, right." She let out a relieved breath as her gaze turned serious again. "But you must understand this: I was not the one who wanted Hinata to be married to you."

Gaara's light jade eyes widened in surprise "Oh really? Then who wanted this marriage?"

She smiled a little sadly "Hiashi-san may not want her to be his clan's heiress, but he still wants her to remain safe and keep their bloodline going."

He nodded and waited for her to continue, still not being sure where she was going with this.

"There was once a time that he had considered Sasuke Uchiha the perfect candidate for her groom what with his bloodline and all."

That made sense. It was still believed that the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan eyes have been descended straight from the Hyuuga Clan's bloodline power, the Byakugan.

"But as you know why, that didn't work out all too well after the Massacre." He continued to nod, waiting for her explanation to end once it got to where he was involved. "Sasuke was the only surviving member, but with his present state there was no way a marriage could even be considered between the two of them."

She stared straight into his eyes. "But he still needed someone strong enough to protect his daughter. He wanted her to have children, for obvious reasons."

"And that is where you come in, Gaara-san." She stood from her seat, never tearing her gaze away from him. A fearless woman indeed. "With the extra riches that Hiashi Hyuuga has provided for your village, you must in turn protect Hinata and care for her as your wife."

What an awful father. Getting out of the desk, he took Hinata's picture and gazed out at the village from the open window. He was basically giving his daughter away, to a man that he barely even knows. Turning away from the scenery, he looked at Hinata's smiling photo as a strange feeling of warmth overcame him, calming the monster deep from within him. He realized something when he gazed her picture. The more he seemed to look at her features, the more beautiful she became…

~o~o~o~

-Meanwhile-

Area Unknown/ Forest:

Every day this deep darkness always seemed to find a way into his heart. It was like a disease, spreading throughout his veins, making his blood boil as it left a bitter, metallic taste within his mouth.

Sasuke Uchiha clenched and unclenched his hand and leaned his head back against the magnificent tree, gazing at the stars in the sky. He had to get back at Konoha, it was because of them that this pain had started on that fateful night.

Almost expecting to see the moon turn red, he turned and stared at the magnificent orb. Instead he was met with the cool autumn air, bringing the scent of newly fallen leaves along with the promise of winter. The young Uchiha breathed in the scent and remembered Hinata. Her eyes are like the pale moon.

Although he had forgotten most of everything from Konoha, his teammates, teacher, and those who surrounded him, feigning concern, he had never once forgotten about Hinata Hyuuga. She was probably the only girl the Uchiha had ever cared about.

He realized that they had grown apart since his clan's massacre, but that was to be expected. How could I focus on anything when I had lost everything that night?

He felt the fire within his body ignite again at the memory of it. The metallic taste began to grow stronger within his mouth with his vision taking on a scarlet tint. He got off from the tree and made plans for his next attack with his team.

Once I have my revenge, I will come back and get you Hinata. He jumped from branch to branch and made his way back to the hideout. Then I can fulfill my goals of restoring my clan.

~o~o~o~

~End Chapter~


This is now the start of a love triangle. What will happen next? Read, Review, and Enjoy, no reviews equals no updates and I thank you for giving this story a chance. :)