It was late evening when Hinata finally came around. She sat up and scanned the room a tad bit disoriented. It took quite some time for her surroundings to register. Once she realized where she was she began to wonder how she got there.

She begun reviewing her memories of the last few hours. She had been at the cafe, enjoying her tea, and Gaara had shown up. At the thought of the young kazekage the girl colored. Their brief conversation, if it could be called that, came floating back to her.

Deciding she'd rather not dwell on it she rose to her feet and made her way to her vanity intending on brushing her hair. The simple action always seemed to calm the young kunoichi down. As she glanced down to get her brush, her note pad caught her attention.

There, written in very pristine hand writing was a note signed by the red head himself. It read 'dear Hinata, as the kazekage of Suna, I respectfully request your presence along with my comrades at the main gate tomorrow to see me off. We are leaving at 0700. I would like for you to be there at 0645. - Gaara Sabaku.' Hinata quickly decided she needed air.

The girl tore through the house making her way to the door, only she wasn't quite as lucky as Gaara, because there blocking her path was a very angry Hiashi Hyuuga. Hinata froze.

"Would you mind telling me why Suna's Kazekage was carrying you home? Or why I had to console your sobbing cousin because you had told him he has a stick up his rear?" Hiashi's voice was deadly.

But Hinata was in no mood. Instead of cowering and apologizing profusely as per usual the girl stood tall. She felt the not so foreign feeling from the day before slither into its claimed territory in her lower belly. She gave the man she use to fear a mean glare.

"Yes, I do mind. Now if you'll excuse me I'm sure Neji won't mind referring you to his surgeon. " Hinata growled, before rudely pushing past him and making her way to the door.

Hiashi stood there in shock. What on earth had gotten into that girl? He must be losing his touch. That or the girl had finally found the infamous hyuuga temper. Judging by the slam of the door it had to be the latter. He couldn't help but be proud.

Hinata was speed walking down the street. As she started to cool off the reality of what she had done started to sink in. She had stood up to her father! He would be livid when she got home. All at once however, her fathers words hit her like a ton of bricks. Both his and her anger forgotten. She stopped walking.

So that's how she had gotten home! Her face flushed red and she reached up to place her hand on it. Gaara had carried her the whole nine blocks home. Which for a shinobi, especially the kazekage, that would by no means be a difficult task. But the idea that he had taken the time to carry her all the way home, and then faced her father made the girls eyes light up.

Majority of the time people just left her be. It wasn't an uncommon sight to see the young Hyuuga unconscious in various places around the village. At first it gave many of the villagers a shock, but over time they had all grown use to it, and let her come around in her own time.

Naruto's voice is what brought the young girl back to reality. He was shouting to passerby's that he had finally gotten Sakura to agree to a date. When she looked up she noted that the pink haired girl was walking awkwardly next to him half hiding her face in shame.

Hinata found that the sight didn't bother her so much. The two were headed her way and she quickly decided that she would stay put and attempt an apology to the pair. After all she didn't really mean what she said, even though it was at least half true. When the pair approached her however, they attempted to give her a wide birth pretending not to notice that she stood there.

"Sakura-San, Naruto-kun" she called out.

The pair stopped dead in their tracks. When they turned to face her the embarrassment and apprehension was clear on their faces.

"Hinata-chan" Naruto returned.

"I..I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I didn't mean it. Enjoy your date. " Hinata blurted.

The blonde and the cherry haired teens exchanged glances. It was Sakura who spoke.

"That's okay Hinata-chan. I myself have a notorious temper. It's just that nobody knew you had it in you."

Naruto nodded in agreement. Hinata smiled. That wasn't nearly as difficult as she thought. At that she bid the two a quick goodbye and begun making her way back home. Maybe she hadn't loved the blonde like she believed. Simple infatuation was much more likely. She decided if the boy was happy she could be happy for him.

It was dinner time when she made it back to the hyuuga manor. Once she remembered how angry her father would be she shut the door as quietly as possible. She then begun making her way through the hyuuga household being as quiet as she could. But not quiet enough for the well trained ears of Hiashi hyuuga.

"Hinata-chan, could you please come here?" The man called.

There was no hint of anger in his voice. Hinata dared to follow the sound. Once she rounded the corner into the kitchen and dining area she stopped. Seated at the head of the table was her father, and spread out down the beautiful mahogany was all of the heiresses favorite foods.

"What's going on?" He could hear the fear in her voice.

"Nothing sweetheart." Sweetheart? That was new.

"What's with all the food?" She ask.

"Only the best for my daughter. Come have a seat."

It was then she notice Hanabi's usual spot that he was gesturing to was empty, and that the younger girl was seated next to neji. Both of them were glaring daggers at her. Also, since when had she been 'his daughter'? Something weird was going on for sure. Hinata slowly made her way to the spot, and sat down without making a sound. Hiashi spoke causing the blunette to jump.

"I'm very proud of you Hinata. For standing up to me today."

Hinata only nodded, still freaked out by the whole ordeal. Instead of trying to make conversation she filled her plate with an assortment of delicious delicacies. Her father had really went all out. It was then Hanabi decided to have her turn. Her voice obnoxiously rung through the dining room.

"Like this weakling has ever done anything noteworthy."

At that Nejis face turned fearful. He tried to get the youngest hyuuga to stop before she triggered another fit of rage from the once timid teen, but after he caught sight of her face he realized it was far too late. Before anyone had time to react Hinata stood up and gave her younger sibling as very harsh slap across her cheek. The sound of the smack bounced off the walls.

"Don't you ever speak of me like that again" Hinata hissed.

Then took her seat and resumed her meal as nothing happened. Hanabi could only gawk and hold her stinging cheek. Hiashi on the other hand was crying. He was so proud of his eldest.

The rest of dinner continued without incident. Hinata went to help tidy up as usual but her father insisted she let the maids handle it. At that Hinata went into her room and prepared for bed. She made sure to set her alarm clock for the appropriate time, knocked out a couple chapters of the book she'd been reading, and finally she got some sleep. The whole night her dreams were filled with a certain kazekage.

AUTHORS NOTES.

Hello everyone. Sorry that Gaara wasn't in this chapter. But I promise I have something pretty big planned for the next one. As always reveiws and constructive criticism is very welcome. See you next time.