A/N: Okay so I decided I'm writing Chapter 3 sooner than expected, for me at least. My mind keeps screaming that I should get on with it. I so should be doing my projects, yet here I am unable to resist this damn fic's temptation. Okay, read on now…

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 3

Hinata-sama this, Hinata-sama that. Each and every one of them just keeps coming…and the blonde kunoichi just had enough of it! With quick movements, she drew out her big fan and shouted in an angry tone, "Back off or I won't hold back in sending you all FLYING! And believe me, it won't be pretty!"

All eyes were on her, surprise and fear evident in their eyes, except one Hyuuga who tried to calm her down. "Temari-san, I'm sorry if we're being a bother. Please put your fan back, there's no need for violence." Hinata quietly said.

To Hinata's surprise, Temari smirked and withdrew her fan. "Damn right! Now can we go now?" she said her voice seemingly triumphant. Hinata, still confused, turned her head around to face the crowd that surrounded her…rather once surrounded her. The heiress's confusion was soon met with understanding as she saw the path cleared. Well, what do you know, Neji couldn't make them scurry off despite all of his efforts in attempting to do so yet Temari barely even made an effort. Not to mention, it was her first try.

Hinata couldn't help but smile; if ever her cousin would see this he would surely be ashamed of himself for not being able to be an effective "protector", as he calls it. The heiress turned around to look at Temari who has already started walking. Three days had already passed since Hinata became Temari's escort during her stay in Konoha. Though she noticed Temari was a little annoyed that Shikamaru was still too busy to accompany her during the past few days, it seemed the blonde kunoichi didn't mind that Hinata do the job in his stead.

Temari and Hinata became quite close recently – Temari would often joke around the Hyuuga only to be disappointed for her lack of reaction. At first, Temari shrugged the matter off thinking that Hinata might just lack in sense of humor. But as she spent more time with the Hyuuga heiress she started to notice something was really off. It happened on more than one occasion when Temari would talk about some random stuff, she would catch a glimpse of sadness in Hinata's eyes.

"Love?" Hinata echoed, her fake smile staying on her face. "Temari-san, can you please explain how love feels like?"

That was when she first suspected that something was going on. The strange reactions, the emotions in her eyes, even her smile seemed…fake – this all bothered Temari to no end, realizing that she started to care for Hinata like she was her own younger sister.

"Hinata?" Temari looked at the pale girl who was walking beside her. Ever since they grew close, Temari never again allowed Hinata to walk behind her.

"Yes, Temari-san?" smiled the Hyuuga at the blonde girl.

"Uh…" the dark green-eyed girl started. "Is something wrong? Something that you want to share with me?"

The look of confusion crossed Hinata's face. "Nothing that I know of. Why do you ask?"

Temari stared on her pale eyes before speaking. "It's just that I noticed something."

"Something?" Hinata asked while tilting her head to the side.

The blonde girl diverted her eyes to the ground. "You seemed like…"she paused trying to find the right words. "An emotionless doll to me." She finished in a very low voice.

Hinata couldn't hide her surprise. "W-what do you mean, Temari-san?" The heiress tried to put on a fake smile but only half-succeeded.

Temari's eyes now darted back to Hinata's pale ones. "I meant you don't react much. You lack emotions!"

Hinata remained silent. Her eyes were plastered to the ground but her attention was far beyond the solid surface. After a moment of silence from both parties, she spoke. "Temari-san, you're just over-thinking things." Hinata was smiling at the girl beside her.

"No, I'm not." Temari quickly said in a firm tone. And she knew it! She wasn't over-thinking; she was right about everything! Hyuuga Hinata, of all the expressions a person makes in a day, could only show one or two. Temari noticed this, thus her suspicion. Hinata deals with everything with a smile – a fake smile. And the heiress's action earlier just proved that she was a hundred percent correct. However, Temari decided not to say anything about the matter…at least for the time being. She was itching to know what's going on and she'll learn about it in her own way. But asking Hinata won't do her a favor as she realized the pale girl didn't want to talk about it.

"Perhaps, perhaps not" was all Hinata said before they started walking again.

"What's the matter, Neji? Is something bothering you?" Tenten asked the guy in front of her. Afternoon came when they were standing in front of the entrance of the Hyuuga compound. Tenten came to tell Neji personally that they were going to train later with Rock Lee, their teammate who always wears a disgusting green jumpsuit and who always talks about youth. When Neji and Tenten were at the entrance and were about to leave the compound, the kunoichi noticed that her teammate was deep in thought.

"It's Hinata-sama." Neji answered after a few moments.

"What about Hinata?" Tenten asked.

"I've been observing her for a few days now. To be honest, I've noticed something that's been bothering her since long before knowing her story. However, after hearing what happened, I began to understand why." He said.

Temari was walking the streets alone, passing by crowds and shops. She planned on going back to the inn where she was staying for the moment. Hinata would've walked her there but she refused to let her. She told the heiress that she could handle herself and that she go back first to her compound to rest. And now, there she was, thinking a lot of things to herself when she happened to spot the shop where Hinata had brought her for her breakfast the first time. Ever since they first went there, she hadn't had the chance to go there again. She loved the food she ate before and she wanted to go eat there again. And then, an idea crept up the blonde's mind. How about she ask Hinata to eat breakfast with her tomorrow at the same shop? Now, that sounds good to Temari.

She swiftly turned around and made a dash straight to the Hyuuga compound. When she arrived she heard unfamiliar voices near the entrance. Instinctively, she immediately hid herself behind the nearest tree. It was a good thing none of them had noticed her yet. She wasn't intentionally eavesdropping yet she was hiding. "Why am I hiding? It's not like their conversation holds any interest to me." she thought as soon as she realized her actions. Temari was about to step out of her hiding spot but stopped short as she heard her friend's name.

"…before knowing Hinata's story? What do you understand, Neji?" the girl with brown hair asked loud enough for Temari to hear.

The guy with long hair, as Temari guessed to be Neji, paused before answering. "Hinata-sama developed the inability to show her emotions due to what happened."

A gasp was heard from Tenten. Temari, who heard all of this, smirked. "I thought so…but what did he mean 'due to what happened'?" she muttered to herself.

"But that's impossible, Neji!" Tenten said disbelievingly. "Hinata is still able to smile! How did you get such an idea?"

"That girl just doesn't get it!" Temari muttered.

"Hinata-sama's smile may at times be warm and kind but never were her eyes showing the same thing!" Neji explained.

Tenten fell silent. Rather, she was unable to say anything. After all those years of being close to Hinata, she didn't notice it. Sure, she knew that the girl didn't show that she was angry or sad. However, never did Tenten realize that it was this bad. She wasn't the observant type after all.

"Tenten, shall we go?" Neji offered.

Tenten stared at his eyes for a while but then shook her head. "I'm sorry, Neji. You go ahead of me; I'll catch up with you guys later. I need some time to think and absorb what you had said."

Neji didn't have to be told twice. He quickly complied, nodding his head and dashing off from the compound with where they were. Tenten watched Neji leave in silence.

All this time Hinata was suffering with her inability?

"Hinata-sama's smile may at times be warm and kind but never were her eyes showing the same thing!" Neji explained.

Tenten felt so guilty and useless. And she was supposed to be the closest female friend to Hinata, yet she didn't know!

"Come on, Hinata! Everyone in the world would probably get angry if what happened to you happened to them, too!"

"Thank you, Tenten-san. But I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."

That time…Hinata told her she's fine. Was that because she was unable to show her how she exactly feels? Is that why she told her not to worry? Tenten felt so ashamed of herself! While Hinata was able to help her with her problems, she wasn't able to do anything in return.

Tenten's trail of thoughts was interrupted as soon as she sensed a presence somewhere near her. It was unfamiliar, yet she found it non-threatening. The kunoichi simply stood straight and asked in a calm tone. "Who's there? Show yourself."

As swift as the wind blew, Temari appeared in front of the brown-haired girl looking at her straight in the eyes. Tenten was about to say something when the blonde beat her to it. "What is this about Hinata's story? Tell me about it." She said imperatively.

"You're Temari-san, Suna's ambassador." Tenten said recognizing the female in front of her. "You were listening."

"You know me. So, it's only fair that I ask your name. Who are you?" Temari asked.

"I'm Tenten." The brown-haired girl answered.

"Tell me about your conversation with the Hyuuga particularly about Hinata."

Tenten could only gape in shock before finding her voice again. "Why should I tell you? It's a private conversation between me and Neji."

"Tell me because I want to know." The blonde stated as a matter-of-factly.

"No, I can't…I won't. I'm not the one who could decide that."

"Who, then?"

"It's the subject of the discussion, of course. Hinata won't like it if I tell somebody." Tenten refused to give in.

Temari didn't say anything. She just took a few steps forward, closing the distance between her and Tenten. She stopped once she was a foot away then whispered to her. "She won't have to know now, would she?"

"W-what?!" Tenten asked incredulous. "Are you saying I'm going to lie to someone who trusts me?"

"Who said anything about lying? I just told you she won't have to know. Jeez! You're so hard to deal with!" Temari sighed in exasperation.

"Speak for yourself!" Tenten huffed.

"Now, why don't you just tell me already so I can do something about it?"

"That's why I told you –! Wait…what?"

"Finally she's willing to listen!" Temari thought. "Tell me what happened and maybe I can do something for emotionless little Hinata." She explained slowly now.

Tenten's eyes narrowed on the blonde and eyed her suspiciously. "And why on earth would you do something like that?"

"Because Hinata's like a little sister to me. And, in my opinion, you're in no position to ask me that sort of thing, especially you who hadn't had the slightest idea of what's going on with her." Temari bluntly remarked.

Now, that hit the mark. Tenten winced as the blonde kunoichi pointed out something she was moping about earlier. Should she really tell Temari about Hinata's story? She said she was helping, so what bad could possibly happen? This, in Tenten's opinion, was her own way of helping the Hyuuga heiress of her problem. It was an act out of love and friendship towards her. It's just up to Temari how to put "help" into action.

In all honesty, Temari doesn't have any idea how to help Hinata at all. Maybe she has only said she would help on a whim just for the sake of satisfying her growing curiosity. Who knows, what's the reason! But what she knows is that once she has learned about what's going on with her new friend, she'll know the answer of the real reason behind her actions.

"Okay, I've decided I'll tell you. So better listen carefully." Tenten finally spoke.

"It's about time." Temari muttered.

Seeing in the training grounds at night was a very difficult feat…except for Hinata. With her Byakugan, seeing in the dark even with her eyes closed was easy as finding Naruto at Ichiraku's. She was with her teammates who were seated under a big tree while she trains for her gentle fist style, which was a hell times stronger than during the fourth great ninja war.

"Oi, Hinata! Take a break already!" Kiba, one of her teammates, told her. A loud bark followed after his sentence which was coming from Akamaru, his over-sized white dog.

"I agree. Why? Because you've been going on for about ten hours without resting for even a second." Shino, another one of her teammates, said.

"I'm fine, Kiba-kun and Shino-kun." Hinata said when a whine was heard from Akamaru. "And of course I wouldn't forget about you, Akamaru-kun." She smiled.

"There you go again, saying you're fine. You only make as a lot more worried when you say that. I mean, come now, Hinata! We'll walk you home or your over-protective cousin would strangle us in our sleep."

"Well, if you put it like that, then I'll stop." Hinata said. She secretly took pity on Shino and Kiba for having to go through this all the time.

The three-man team…and one dog made their way back to their homes ending their training session that night.

Temari arrived at her inn quietly while reflecting on what occurred earlier with her discussion with Tenten.

The brown-haired girl told her what happened with Hinata, of what happened three years ago. She learned on how the heiress started to overcome her shyness but in its place slowly became numb, this according to Neji. Then when Temari told Tenten about Hinata asking her to explain how love feels like, Tenten became speechless. She froze to her spot and took her a while to give her feedback.

"Maybe that's what Neji meant by her inability to show her true feelings." Tenten said.

"What's that got to do with that?" Temari asked.

Tenten's eyes bore into Temari's dark green ones. "She forgot the feeling she felt with Naruto. Or rather, her heart and mind purposefully erased that. Hinata became scared. She was scared to hurt again."

"Her first love was a fragile one. One tip to it and it shattered her whole being, huh? So, it's that shrimp's fault this has happened to Hinata. Really, that brat! He's nothing but stupid and trouble!" Temari mumbled to herself. After learning all she wanted to know from Tenten, she felt her heart ache with pity as she made her way to her inn.

She pitied Hinata. She pitied the girl who has no one to talk to about it. The heiress probably kept it to herself for the fear of being a burden, which is always…always how she thinks. Temari sighed. She was surely drained. She went to her bed and crawled sleepily underneath the covers.

Her mind drifted off to her home in Suna. She missed her siblings, Kankuro and Gaara. "I wonder how they're doing." she whispered. Suddenly, Gaara's question appeared on her mind.

"I just don't understand why or how someone…"

"Falls in love?"

"That."

A smiled curled on Temari's lips. Hinata kind of reminds her of her red-headed sibling.

"Love? Temari-san, can you please explain how love feels like?"

"She forgot the feeling she felt with Naruto."

Temari turned to her side. She was facing the window of the room that gave her the view of the starry sky. "One who hasn't experienced falling in love, and the other who has forgotten the feeling of being in love…" her smile widened. "They're both so the same yet so different. I've decided…in helping Hinata in any way I can!"

"Temari-san, why didn't you tell me you were leaving Konoha today?" Hinata asked. "You could have passed the message to Tenten-san when you told her to tell me to eat with you."

Hinata and Temari were in the shop she wanted to visit again. Since she hadn't had the chance to tell Hinata yesterday about eating breakfast in the shop, Temari asked Tenten to tell her instead.

"Sorry about that but I want to be the one to tell you personally. After all, it's my responsibility since I forgot to tell you yesterday before we went our separate ways." Temari said apologetically.

Hinata just smiled at this. "It's okay"

There was silence between them. Both were busy finishing their meals. Hinata was the one to break it. "Have you finished packing?" she asked as soon as she finished wiping her face with a tissue paper. Temari nodded her response as she continued eating. Today is the day she leaves the village to return to her own. So she wants to finish her meal as fast as she can.

As soon as Temari was done eating, she signaled to Hinata that she was through so they could leave. Both girls stood up and left the place after paying for their food.

They walked in silence as they arrived at the gates of Konoha where Temari will exit and return to Suna. Temari and Hinata noticed that there were others waiting for them. Shikamaru, being the first one Temari noticed, was leaning against a tree. He was looking straight into her with a smirk on his face.

The blonde kunoichi grinned back at him. "Were you waiting long, lazy man?" she asked as soon as they were in a hearing distance.

Shikamaru shook his head slowly. "Nah. I won't do something that troublesome."

Other than Shikamaru, there was Tenten and a group of unfamiliar men that Temari guessed to be Hinata's admirers. To put it simply, they were waiting for Hinata alone.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make them leave." Tenten apologized after noticing Temari glaring daggers at the men.

"That's quite alright. I'm leaving soon anyway." The blonde girl said. She turned around to face Hinata. "I'm going to miss you, Hinata. Thanks for escorting me all this time." She smiled.

The pale girl returned her smile with her own. "It's no problem at all, Temari-san. I'm going to miss you too."

With this, Temari nodded her head before turning to face Tenten. "Thanks for yesterday."

"It's all good as long as you to do your part." The brown-haired girl replied.

"You can count on it." Then, she turned to face Shikamaru who was still leaning against the tree. "I don't have to thank you for anything. Just make sure you'll be the one escorting me when I visit again."

"If that'll satisfy you." Shikamaru said with a nod.

Temari couldn't help but smile. "Well then, see ya!" she said to the three. Tenten and Hinata waved their hands as Temari leapt off .

After Temari was out of sight, Shikamaru spoke. "Don't miss her too much. That woman…" he paused and smirked. "Will be back for the Chuunin exams in six days. She's escort to the Kazekage…as usual."

"Oi Gaara, didn't Temari say she's going to be back after a week?" A male voice said. His face was covered in make-up and he was wearing a black cat-ear hood to match his black outfit.

Gaara just nodded. Every day, in his office, stacks of papers were a common thing. So, no one would be so surprised to see the Kazekage working his butt off in checking each papers and scrolls. And Kankuro was no exception. He kept on asking Gaara about their older sister for about an hour now. Gaara, on the other hand, was no different for he kept on nodding his head as he was asked. Never did his eyes leave his desk to spare a glance at his pacing brother.

It was then, that a knock on the door was heard. "Enter." Gaara said.

The door clicked and a jounin came in. "Kazekage-sama, Temari-sama has arrived." He said.

Almost immediately, Gaara and Kankuro left the office leaving the jounin standing all alone. As soon as the two siblings left the Kazekage tower, they spotted Temari who was taking her time in walking towards their direction. A smile was on her lips.

"Hoo! We were just talking about you!" Kankuro said with a grin.

"I'm back!" Temari chuckled. "So, how are my siblings doing?"

"We're fine! Right, Gaara?" Kankuro turned his head to Gaara who just nodded.

"Anyways, you guys finished packing? We're leaving." Temari said.

"Already?!" Kankuro exclaimed.

"You better rest first." Gaara finally spoke.

"Yeah, you better! Since I haven't finished packing yet…" Kankuro muttered with a sly grin. Temari just sighed and nodded her head. The three sand siblings made their way to the Kazekage tower.

"How's your stay in Konoha?" Kankuro asked breaking the silence that's beginning to get uncomfortable…for him. They were heading to Gaara's office.

Temari smiled. "Oh, it was okay. Though the lazy bum hadn't escorted me…"

An exasperated sigh was heard from Kankuro. "Here we go again…okay, get on with it!"

Temari glared at her brother. "What's that supposed to mean?! I'm not the one who asked!"

"Alright, alright…" Kankuro chuckled nervously. "So, what were you about to say?"

"Well, someone else has escorted me. Her name's Hinata."

"Oooh…A girl, eh?" Kankuro smirked.

Temari's eyes were focused on Gaara who she knew was silently listening. "And guess what? She's very interesting. Gaara, she asked me the same question you asked before I left."

As soon as he heard this, Gaara's head turned and his eyes were on Temari. "The same question?" he said in a quiet voice.

"What question?" Kankuro asked his curiosity in its peak.

"You see, before I left for Konoha, little Gaara here asked me how love feels like." Temari explained.

Kankuro's lips formed a wide grin. His tone became teasing. "Eh? Gaara, you curious now? You could have asked me, ya know! I'm expert at that area after all!" he said as he draped an arm around Gaara's shoulder.

"Oh shut up!" Temari smacked Kankuro at the back of his head. "You know nothing, silly. All you know are girls with pretty faces and huge busts! Anyways, you've met this girl already. She's from the Hyuuga clan, Hyuuga Hinata."

Both guys stopped in their tracks. "Hyuuga Hinata? Is that the girl back at the Chunnin exams when we were still kids?" Kankuro asked.

"Yup, that's her. She's pretty popular with guys now."

"Popular?" Kankuro echoed disbelievingly. "Jeez! That girl always stutters it's unnerving! I'm guessing whenever she's surrounded she faints." He chuckled.

"That's where you're wrong. I was surprised too myself and couldn't believe it. She never stutters anymore. Sure, she wears the same baggy pants and jacket but she's more outspoken than before." Temari said with a smirk.

"Really? Is she prettier?" Kankuro asked his flirty mode kicking in.

Temari nodded. "And sexier."

"Well, what are we waiting for, let's go Gaara!" Kankuro said to his silent brother.

"Kankuro, you haven't finished packing yet." Gaara said.

"Crap! You're right." After he said that, Kankuro was soon out of sight.

Temari chuckled. "Jeez, that guy. After he hears about a beautiful girl he runs off wanting to leave immediately."

"Why was the Hyuuga asking that sort of question?" Gaara asked.

"I was wondering about that too. Until, I discovered something interesting." Temari said with a smirk. She didn't miss the twitching of Gaara's ear. He was listening intently, and Temari was dragging the story.

"Apparently, she forgot the feeling of being in love. When you see her now, you could compare her to an emotionless doll." She said. However, to Temari's surprise, Gaara started walking again. "You don't seem to find it as interesting as I did." Surprise was evident in her voice.

It took Gaara a few seconds to reply. "It seemed private. And I don't hold interests for other people's private lives." Gaara said before walking away.

Temari stayed on her spot and stared on her brother's back. "Telling him about it won't capture his attention. Then I guess, showing him would do the trick." Temari said to herself. "Little Gaara must know about Hinata. After all, they both share the same predicament."

"Finally! You're both here! I was waiting forever, you know." Kankuro said with exasperation. He was already standing ready to leave at the entrance in Suna. Apparently, he arrived there first with some other Sand ninjas before Temari and Gaara.

"Shut up! We were waiting for you to finish packing. You didn't tell us you'll go ahead and wait here!" Temari shouted angrily. Gaara was walking beside her towards Kankuro.

As soon as they reached their brother, the three sand siblings said their goodbyes to the Sand ninjas. "Take care of Kazekage-sama!" one of them said as they waved their hands.

"Come back as soon as the exams are done!" another one said.

With a nod, Gaara, Kankuro and Temari turned around and started their journey to Konoha.

"Here we come, Konohagakure!" Kankuro said with a grin. "And pretty ladies!" he earned a slap at the back of his head from Temari.

A/N: End of chapter. Hope ya guys likey. By the way, thank you for the reviews! The following chapters will already have lots of GaaHina scenes, I promise. Reviews? Thankies. :)