Finding Her Heart

Chapter 4

The next afternoon Hinata meet the others in the Kazekage's office. Joining them were the four counsel members of Suna. All there to witness the signing, of the new peace treaty . Hinata stood behind Gaara her hands resting on the handles of her sai's. Ready for any trouble that might arise. Akamaru stood alert, by her feet.

Gaara introduced Sasuke and Naruto to the four council members. All exchanging pleasantries. One council member in particular rubbed Hinata the wrong way. Her eyes narrowing as she watched the tall blonde haired man laugh at his own lame joke. His name forever engraved into her mind since the introduction. Masuyo Taro his name left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"So Kazekage are you not going to introduce us, to this pretty Kunoichi standing behind you?' His eyes looking her up and down. Apparently the looks of death she had been sending him had not deterred his interest in her.

Her hands tightened on the dark blue handles of her sai's . Oh how she wanted to rip this man's throat out. The way his black eyes leered, over her body. Hinata began to take a step forward. To put this insolent man in his place. She stopped as she felt Gaara's warm hand touch her shoulder.

"Councilman Taro, I would appreciate it if you did not eye up my bodyguard." He spoke through clenched teeth. "I can not guarantee your safety… if you anger her."

"My apologize Kazekage. I meant no offense." A fake smile appearing, on his face as he bowed to her . "My Lady… my heartfelt apologize to you also. I meant no disrespect." Hinata just glared at him.

After the meeting was over Hinata saw Sasuke and Naruto off at the village gates. Her head wrapped in the blue silk fabric that kept her skin from burning.

"Hinata promise me you will behave." Sasuke asked her his hands gripping her shoulders.

"Sasuke… don't worry. I am always well behaved." A sinister smile appearing on her face.

"Oi, Hinata! I think that is exactly what Sasuke is talking about." Naruto said as he paced back and forth anxious to get home.

"Shut up baka …or I will tell pinky about your hentai collection." Hinata hissed, turning on the blonde. Sasuke couldn't help but snicker at Naruto's horrified face.

"Seriously Hinata do not pull anything. Control your temper with the Kazekage…please for me." Sasuke pleaded. She didn't give him a reply just smiled. Sighing in defeat he brushed a kiss on her cheek, even though he knew she would never react.

"Let's go dobe." Pulling Naruto out of his daze. Walking through the gates. He turned back once, fear weighing heavy on his heart. He feared she would end up dead by Gaara's hand. She waved softly before turning away, slowly making her way back to the palace.

She was incredible bored and that familiar ache in her chest was returning. She had not been able to release any of her built up rage. Hitting Naruto on the head for being a dunderhead did not count.

'There has got to be something fun to do. Anything to make this pain go away.' She thought grinning mischievously. Sending Akamaru to her room she activated her byakugan. A sickly sweet smile crossed her lips.

It had been just too easy locating Gaara and Kankuro. Moving slowly through the halls, she slipped passed the guards. Making her way into the sitting room. Gaara and Kankuro were both crashed out on opposite couches, sound asleep. Kankuro loud snores filling the room.

'No wonder he needs a bodyguard! He doesn't even sense my chakra.' She thought shaking her head in disappointment. 'Then I guess you deserve this.' Picking up a black marker off the table she proceeded to have some fun. When she was done she snuck out of the room. Then ran the rest of the way to her room, laughing hysterically.

Akamaru barked when she opened her door. "Hey buddy," she leaned down and scratched his head. Jumping on the bed she laughed as she fell back against the puffy, white pillows.

'What the hell is wrong with me Akamaru…I …almost feel… "She stopped as the memories came back, her chest aching painfully. The laughter in her fading away as her chest burned. Curling up into a tight ball her arms warped tightly around her aching chest. Her eye lids grew heavy and she slipped into darkness. When her eyes fluttered open she saw the setting sun outside the balcony doors. With a sigh she went to the bathroom and changed for dinner.

As she made her way to the dining room she heard Temari and Gaara laughing and what sounded like a very pissed off Kankuro. She smirked knowing that afternoon fun might pay off. Then she might be able to ease the pain in her chest.

"I am going to kill that girl!" Kankuro roared.

"What's the matter Kanky?" Hinata smirked sadistically, as she walked into the room.

"You…you!" He shouted as Gaara held him back, laughing. Temari sat at the table holding her sides. Laughter falling from her lips. Her pale eyes feel on Kankuro's forehead . A kanji that represented idiot brushed across, in big black strokes.

"Gaara, I don't know what you find so funny. Take a look at your own head." Kankuro growled.

"Huh?" Gaara frowned. Temari just laughed harder.

"Well, Gaara… you always wanted eyebrows." Temari laughed. Gaara's eyes widened as he realized what she had done. Letting go of Kankuro, he went to find a mirror.

With his brothers hold on him gone. Kankuro made a dive to strangle Hinata. She smiled as she dodged his hands and punched him in the stomach. Not even bothering to use gentle fist. That would make her little game end to quickly. Jumping up he quickly swung his fist at her jaw. She ducked sliding down onto her knee. Her other leg swiping his feet from under him. As he landed on back. A small grimace of pain on his painted face. Hinata put her foot on his chest, pressing slightly. The pain in her chest hardly touched. She felt disappointment at how quick she could take him down.

Maybe if she had taunted him better he would have pulled out Karasu. Letting out a tired sigh she bent over staring him in the eyes.

"Kanky, I expected a little more out of you than that. How boring… I wanted to play more." She sneered down at him." Temari stopped laughing when she realized the truth of Hinata little prank.

"You did this to anger my brothers into a fight!" Her voice filled with shock. "You little bitch…why I ought to teach you a lesson. " Hinata smiled with glee. Her eyes begging the tall blonde to pull out her fan. Temari stopped catching the look. She wasn't stupid she knew Hinata was hoping to get her into a sparing match.

When Hinata realized she couldn't goad the wind user, she frowned.

"You know I am not hungry anymore. Goodnight Temari." Leaning down she gave Kankuro a pat on the cheek. Leaving the room she took the stairs by two's, quickly reaching the top floor.

As she walked into her room, she immediately felt his presence move up behind her. Making a move to sweep his feet from under him she miscalculated as he easily dodged her. His arm knocking her onto her back. Standing over her he smiled down at her.

"Having fun Hinata?" This just enraged her more. Flipping over to her stomach, she kicked her leg out sideways aiming for the back of his knees. He quickly dodged her leg. Jumping to her feet. Blind fury clouding her mind. Pulling out a kunai, the rooms soft lighting gleaming off the metal blade. She turned, making a strike, for his arm. Grabbing both her arms in his hands. He slammed her back painfully against the wall. The force knocking the kunai from her grasp. His right knee planted firmly between her legs. He held her arms, above her head. His body leaning in pinning her to the wall. His teal blue eyes pierced hers. s.

"What the hell is your damn problem… woman? " He growled at her through clenched teeth. Her moonstone eyes just stared right back into his. Her face expressionless.

"Do you have a damn death wish?" He yelled heatedly. Never blinking her eyes softened.

"Yes!" Her voice coming out, barely a whisper." His breath caught, eyes widening slightly, at her revelation. Leaning in his mouth roughly captured hers. His knee pushing up against her warmth as he deepened the kiss. She couldn't hold back, the soft moan that left her throat. Pulling back he let go of her hands. She glared at him. Her small hand reaching up, slapping him across the face.

"Bastard…I…I...hate you!" She screamed. He smiled at her before turning to the connecting doors.

"Maybe so Hinata. However for that to be true you have to have a heart that knows love." With that said he closed the door behind him. Hinata slowly slid down the wall. Her hand touching her swollen lips that he had just kissed savagely.

"No… no I have no heart I..I.. don't ever want to feel again." She whispered softly into the darkening room. A few tears slid down her cheek. Touching her cheek, she stared down in shock. She had not shed one tear since the day she buried them. How could one man cause her to cry once again. Pulling herself from the floor she fell onto the bed. Closing her eyes she let darkness fold in on her.

That night the same haunting nightmare returned.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o..o.o.o.o.o.

Gaara cookies for all who review!!