Chapter 3: A Temporary Heaven
This chapter is kind of sweet, nothing too well yah lol. Except maybe a few realizations and a few nick-name slip ups lol. I know it's a really quick update but I've been on like a writing spree lol hope you enjoy!
"Bunny!" I said running over to Tenten who looked tired from the double-shift that she had taken that night. Other girls were getting out too but they didn't look as tired as she did and some were even hooking up with random guys on the road. This was normal for every girl in the Sex Kitten had to start somewhere and in the beginning money was tight so going after every man possible was the only option. I could still remember how I used to cry ever night, weeping bitterly for the hope that I did not possess any longer.
"Lilac?" Tenten said surprised. "What are you doing here? You're off shift and you're in regular clothing." Her eyes scanned from me to Gaara who stood behind me awkwardly for girls from every direction were taunting their fingers at him motioning him to come over to them for they must have noticed who he was already.
"Can we hurry up?" Gaara asked looking around. "I don't think I much like it in this area."
"He's your customer?" Tenten said excitedly. "Now that's a lucky catch indeed. How'd you land that one?"
"No it's not like that," I said my cheeks going bright red.
"Or is it like that," Tenten said with a smirk. "Pretending that the Kazekage is a good boy I see. I don't believe it for a second."
"Really it's not like that," I said almost going purple. "Subaku-san here saved me last night from a very bad situation. I told him our story and he has been compassionate enough to take us to the hokage tower till we can get back up on our feet. We don't have to do this job anymore!"
"You're joking right?" Tenten said in a shocked mode. "This is just a prank on me right?"
"When I say I'm going to do something I will always come through," Gaara said on an intense not. "I am not the type to joke."
"I believe you," Tenten said totally in a trance.
"Then lets go," I said grabbing her wrist.
"Don't we have to quit?" Tenten asked as I dragged her to a car that was parked a few blocks away.
"His people will be in touch," I said with a smile. This was true for Gaara was going to send someone to quit for them but never had it sounded more like a cliché movie before.
We got in and Gaara started the car backing out of the spot.
"Things are happening so fast," I said remembering that not even 8 hours ago I was lying in bed with a stranger and now I was going to be living in the hokage tower. It seemed like I was driving towards a temporary heaven where I'm not expected to be anyone else but myself. I didn't have to be a sex kitten anymore but then again people would stop paying attention to me again.
(break)
The tears fell down my cheeks uncontrollably as I stepped into my new room. I used to live in a cheap hotel that I had called home for so long but now I was staring upon a soft cream-coloured based room with a giant bed, a balcony, king set of drawer, and lovely night table. I felt like a pauper all the sudden a princess.
"Thank you so much," I said wiping the tears away with my sleeve. "This is the nicest thing that anyone has done for me. I don't deserve such a gift."
"You keep saying that and I'll keep saying the same thing back," Gaara said crossing his arms. "Everyone deserves a helping hand it's just someone has to be the one to help them when their down. Maybe someday when you are steady on your feet someone will need your help and you will give them the help they need. Your friend seemed very happy when she got into her own room too."
"We've been through a lot together," I said wiping away the tears as I came to realise that this wasn't just a dream but it was actually happening. "I couldn't have left her like that."
"I shall be going now," Gaara said pivoting on his heel about to leave down the hall. "Now is time to get back to work. Water shipments have to be made to Suna every month and I as Kazekage have to make sure that each shipment has enough water for each and ever family in Suna. It's boring work but it needs to be done or a family could run out of water before the next shipment and deaths are inevitable."
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," I said standing in my doorway watching him walk away down the hall. It was definitely strange how much he had changed. The Gaara I once known couldn't care less whether his people had water as long as he could keep killing with his cursed sand. I could still remember when Kiba had told us what Gaara had done to some of the Ninja in the Chunin exams and how Gaara had told them that he wanted to make the sky rain their blood. He killed them mercilessly without any regret. It was just so surreal.
"So," Tenten said with a smile and I shook my head out of the flashback. "Is there something going on between you two?"
"Hmm?" I said a little surprised. "Like in what way?"
"Well you seem to be pretty chummy with him," Tenten said with another mischievous grin. "I keep seeing the sparks fly."
"No it's not like that at all," I said feeling my cheeks go crimson red. "I am thankful that he saved me but I'm not in love with him!"
"I wasn't saying you were in love with him," Tenten laughed. "I just thought that you might like him a little. There is something about those eyes after all. Calming cool blue…"
"Aquamarine," I said and then I realised I fell in her trap.
"I knew it," Tenten laughed. "You like Gaara! You haven't had a crush on a guy since Naruto! Oh man this makes for some good chatting!"
"I don't like him!" I snapped a little louder then I thought I was going to which surprised Tenten a bit. "Just because I know the colour of his eyes doesn't make a difference. I know the colour of your eyes. Does that mean I'm in love with you?"
"Well you've known me for years and years," Tenten said. "You haven't seen Gaara in like 9 years and you've only known each other for like a day and now you all of the sudden know the exact colour of his eyes down to the mix of blue and green. That's not exactly what you call a normal thing to do."
"Well maybe it's a habit of mine," I said trying desperately to justify that I don't like Gaara but even I was starting to doubt myself. After all I did feel skittish and light headed when he hugged me…
"Someday you will tell me," Tenten said with a wink. "And I will wait for that. I'm going to bed. That drive was longer then I had expected and I haven't exactly slept in a while."
"Kay," I said watching her walk down the hall as well. I closed my door lightly and walked into the room. The sky outside was already lightly skimmed pink.
I ran my fingers along the soft sheets of my new bed. A bed that I thought could only be for a princess. I heard a light tapping at my door and I went to it and opened it up thinking that Tenten forgot to tell me something but it was actually a maid with a towel, bath robe, and night gown in the crook of her arm.
"A bath is ready for you," the maid said bowing her head lightly and walking down the hall. I followed behind her a little surprised but I did need to bath so I didn't question this. She walked back down the stairs and into the back yard towards a large hut with stem rising from it. I watched in awe as this was a bath house. The maid opened the door I peered into the large empty bath house.
"This is just for me?" I asked in even more awe.
The maid nodded and I stepped into the bath house totally surprised. I undressed quickly as the maid put the bath robe and towel down by the coals. She took my dirty clothing and left me in the bath house by myself.
"I will be back in an hour," the maid said closing the door.
I stepped into the hot water and felt my tense body relax. I sat down letting out a sigh. Showers were one of the delights of my day because it relaxed my aching muscles and washed the sweat of the day away but it cost a lot of money to be able to take long showers so I never did but now I had the whole bath house to myself so I could spend as long as I wanted just enjoying the relaxing water.
(break)
I dressed myself in the night gown that the maid gave me that was silk and went just above the knee for it was summer after all and the night robe that went above the knee as well. I opened the door of my balcony and stepped outside into the cool summer night looking up at the brilliant stars above. I had always loved the stars not because they were beautiful but because they were reassuring in a way. It was like when I stare out at the night sky I will see the same sky even when things change so much. It's the one thing that is real and permanent in my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
"Nobody knows who I really am," I sang lightly. "I never felt this empty before, and if I ever need someone to come along, who's going comfort me and keep me strong." I felt a tear fall down my cheek lightly as I sang the words to myself. "We are all rowing the boat of fate, the waves keep on coming and we can't escape, but if we ever get lost on our way, the waves will guide you through another day."
Not a sound was heard as I pronounced the words as the quiet night moved forward unchanging. I walked back inside and went to bed.
(break)
I blinked my eyes open lightly looking around inquisitively. I remembered where I was and sat up quickly looking around to see that everything was still the same as it was last night. I stood up and saw clean clothing lying on the dresser drawer. It was a soft lavender kimono that looked to go a bit above the knee. I undressed out of the night gown and into the kimono feeling the silk like material under my fingers. I looked in the mirror that was attached to the back of the door as I tied the bow in the back. My hair was a total mess and I saw a hairbrush on the counter so I grabbed it while removing the elastic from my hair. I ran the brush through my long navy hair and then began to tie it in a high ponytail but stopped. I needed a sophisticated hairstyle to go with the kimono so I let the hair go and began tying it Hyuuga style for the first time since I had left the Hyuuga clan. I looked at myself and saw all the bloodline traits of the Hyuuga clan. The defined cheekbones, the deep long hair, the pale skin, the light lavender eyes…
I snapped back to myself and opened the door looking out into the hall. I then saw the same maid that had brought me to the bath house was polishing a painting in the hall.
"Excuse me but do you possibly know where Subaku-san is?" I asked the maid as politely as I could for I was so used to talking like I didn't care what other people heard.
"Master Kankuro, Mistress Temari, or Master Gaara?" the maid asked putting the clothe she was using down so she could look to me.
"Oh Gaara-kun," I said before I knew what I was saying. The name just kind of slipped out like it was supposed to be naturally like that. I felt my cheeks go red hoping that she didn't here it.
"Master Gaara is outside meditating by the slanted oak tree," the maid said with a smile. "He goes out to meditate every morning when he comes to visit Master Naruto."
"Thank you," I said starting to walk away quickly.
"Oh um Miss Hinata!" the maid said as I was about to turn down the stairs.
"Yes?" I said lightly.
"Master Gaara doesn't see love the way you and I do," the maid said bowing her head lightly. "Please do not hurt him for he will break…"
I was a little surprised at this comment. The maid's cheeks were going red as she stared down shamefully.
"Did you know he saved my life?" I asked bowing my head lightly. "He took me away from the hate and pain of my old life. There is not a word in the world to express the thanks that I would give him. Don't worry Miss for I would never hurt him."
This made the maid brighten up a bit and she went back to polishing the picture frame once again. I walked down the stairs and along the hall that took me outside into the back yard. I slid the door open revealing a beautiful peaceful morning. There was the square yard kept in by a dirt path around the entire premises. A strong Oak tree was growing a little farther back then dead centre of the yard but the thing that caught my eye was not really a thing at all. It was the red-haired boy sitting in the ankle tall grass. He sat with his eyes lightly shut to the world remaining so calm and peaceful as the breeze lightly rippled his clothing and ruffled his hair. I sat down at least 3 meters away from him for I didn't want to disturb him.
"Good morning," Gaara said lightly which took me by surprise.
"Oh, um good morning," I said back feeling my cheeks burn red again. I hated feeling so self-conscious around him.
"I see you have discovered my sanctuary," Gaara said his aquamarine eyes flicking open. "This place is oddly spiritual but in a way reassuring."
"It is beautiful," I said with a quick smile. "I cans see why you like it so much."
"It's not really the place that makes it so beautiful but the calm," Gaara said. "To judge anything from the way it looks can be your ultimate undoing. Pretty words could be just lies. Love could be hate…"
"But hate could be love," I said. "For someone who shows great hatred and anger could also possess the greatest love."
"A strange way to put it but it makes sense," Gaara said nodding his head. "And then someone who tells great lies could be a very honest person… It's a strange way to think. Are you happy Hinata?"
"Hmm?" I asked a little surprised. "I'm very happy."
"Why," he asked his eyes all the sudden sad. A side of Gaara that I had never seen before sat in front of me.
"Because someone cared for me when no one else did," I said. "Some complete stranger showed me that I don't have to be sad anymore. I don't have to hurt anymore because of him and I have the chance to be happy so I will take it."
"But what happens when there is no one who cares about you?" Gaara asked even more sad. Someone who has never been told that they don't have to be sad anymore. Someone like me…"
"Be happy," I said lightly. "Because I care Gaara-kun…" The name slipped out again before I had the chance to stop it. He looked up with his eyes suddenly intense. I looked down feeling my cheeks burning bright.
"I have never been called Gaara-kun before," he said standing up starting to leave.
"I am sorry," I said flustered. "I didn't mean to say it. It just kind of slipped out…"
"Thank you," Gaara said and I could swear a tear fell down his cheek as he left but I would never know. "I like it."
I watched him leave inside as I sat in awe at what I had just done. I couldn't believe I said that name to him. I thought maybe it was just a slip up with the maid but then again why would I say it again? I shook my head in confusion as I walked inside.
(End chapter)
Love blossoms XD I luv leaving ppl on cliff hangers! And no I'm not cruel, I just like it when I get lost of reviews and stuff the update cause then I know that ppl actually like the story and it's good that I keep going with it!!! I wrote this chapter in like 3 hours cause I thought that it has a lot of important parts in it that lead up to some future…I cant go into details lol.
SandDemon4 out!
