Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of Naruto. Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto and probably Shonen Jump, with license to Viz Media
To Change the Hyuuga
Chapter Three: A Night In Konoha
Hinata knew Shikamaru would show up soon to debrief and strategize. Her brilliant friend was very thorough.
Hinata was stronger and more confident then when she became Chunin. Still, she was a little surprised that she made it through the conversation with the Kazekage without fainting. She had only fainted once in the past three years since she began training for Jonin and not at all since she became a Jonin. It took a situation of extreme embarrassment. This situation certainly qualified. She blushed just thinking about how she had asked for his hand in marriage. Hinata was pleased they had discussed many concerns and Gaara had not rejected her…or… the proposal yet.
"So, Hinata-chan. How did it go?" Shikamaru asked as he slouched into the couch.
"You don't need to ask do you? You were listening. I bet you and Temari-sama both." She teased. Hinata sat down on the couch next to the supposedly lazy shinobi. She elbowed him. "Did you get distracted by Temari when you were supposed to be spying?" The Nara blushed but did not look away from her.
"Troublesome woman. You know that Temari had to find her own way to listen in. I can't share a spying spot on the Hokage's office with someone from another village." He replied without any real irritation. "I think she ended up in an office on the lower level and used a spying device she gave Gaara to carry."
"Well, what did you think Gaara?" Temari asked her little brother. Gaara had returned to their embassy and found his sister waiting for him. The other Sand nin had been dismissed or had other business. The Sunagakure Embassy was a small tower similar to the Hokage Tower with offices on the top level and living quarters and common areas on the lower levels. It was unusual to have a permanent residence for any foreign nin. But the strong and lasting peace between the Sand and Leaf villages was also unusual. Tsunade had felt it worthwhile to allow the official liaison from the Sand village have her own place and made sure there was enough room for a full delegation.
Temari was grateful and Gaara had eventually reciprocated and had a structure in Sunagakure designated as the Konohagakure Embassy. Between joint missions with the Leaf nin, when she was representing her brother during negotiations and the Chunin exams, Temari had spent a lot of time in the embassy over the last eight years. It had become a second home to her.
"Hm. I should ask you that question. You know these Leaf nin better then me." Gaara replied as he settled behind a desk.
"I can't read body language using that spying device, it's only audio." Temari grumbled as Gaara tossed it back to her. "I told you before. Hinata is not a complex person. She is sweet and determined but not naturally deceptive." She paused as Gaara looked up at her. "I think she is serious. Her reasoning made sense to me."
"Hm" he replied as he began to review the latest dispatches from Sunagakure. Gaara knew that if Temari had more to say, she would say it. He valued her opinion.
"She had a huge crush on Naruto for a long time. So she probably doesn't have any prejudice against you for Shukaku." Temari added. "According to those I have talked with, she is basically a shy and sweet girl with an awesomely powerful bloodline. But it took her a long time to become strong enough to be truly considered the Heir of the Hyuuga clan. She lived in the shadow of her cousin, Hyuuga Neji." Temari and Gaara both respected Hyuuga Neji. He had proven his worth as an elite shinobi on many joint missions.
Temari continued, "Hyuuga Hinata received acceptance and recognition from her clan when she became a Jonin with special responsibilities to the Hokage. That only happened within the last year, so I'm not sure how she was able to get the Hyuuga's to go along with this idea. Shikamaru told me that it was her idea from the start."
Gaara looked up at his sister in surprise. "So this wasn't something the Hyuuga's pushed her into to get her out of Konoha? It was her idea?" He asked incredulously.
"You know Shikamaru-kun, when I first talked to you about this idea… I didn't think it would actually get this far. I kind of thought the m-marriage proposal would be a show of good faith and then we would focus on the exchange program." Hinata said wistfully. Her eyes brightened as she looked directly at Shikamaru-kun. "I-I think I might be getting m-married this year." She was a little stunned, confused and strangely happy too. "I-I think he is actually going to consider it."
As much as a Hyuuga Sabaku marriage might advance his own plans, Shikamaru did not want Hinata to push herself into anything that would make her unhappy. "Hinata-chan, you don't have to go through with it if you are unsure." Shikamaru said seriously. "If you let it drop…If you don't pursue him, Gaara would let it drop too."
Hinata was slow. She knew that Shikamaru was saying something important. She just needed to think about it. "You-You mean, I-I have to pursue him? I have to make all the a-advances?" She stuttered.
Shikamaru just rolled his eyes and slouched further into the couch. Right. She had proposed marriage. She had initiated contact by asking to hold his hand. She had asked him on a date. Shy little Hinata-chan was growing up quickly and soon she was going to have to decide how far she wanted to go.
Shikamaru was an adviser to the Hokage and her friend. He needed to point out the obvious. "Hinata-chan, he's a man. A guy. You asked him to marry you and told him that you want to have children with him. You asked him on a date. Tonight." Shikamaru explained as if he was pointing out something obvious to his students. "As Kazekage and as a man, he might want to test you and see how far you will go." He sat up suddenly and seriously asked, "Hinata, are you sure you want to pursue this? To pursue him?"
Hinata looked at her worried friend. Shikamaru might not know when he was going to marry Temari. But it was going to happen sooner or later. Hinata knew she could help create a stronger alliance with the Kazekage, either through marriage or through the exchange program or through just becoming his friend. It would make it much easier for Shikamaru and Temari later. It was nice that Shikamaru wanted the best for her regardless of how it might impact his future prospects. That was all irrelevant to her decision. Hinata was not a martyr. She really did want to change the Hyuuga clan and herself.
Hinata nodded. "Shikamaru-kun, I think that I could m-make this work if he wanted to try. I d-don't want to leave Konoha but I think it would be best for me and the Hyuuga clan." She smiled at him. "You know all the reasons, we've discussed this a million times."
Shikamaru saw her genuine smile and gave her a weak smile back. He sighed and said, "Okay… But Hinata-chan, you know you aren't going to awaken a prince with a kiss. Gaara-sama does not have a warm lovable chibi inside him waiting to be discovered. " She giggled at the visual image he created. He paused to let the meaning of his words sink in. "I know that you will overcome any fear you may have."
She nodded. Gaara was still an incredibly powerful and intimidating shinobi. Even without the one-tailed demon, he still held the title of Kazekage. The strongest nin in Sunagakure. But Hinata was used to being around strong arrogant cold men. She even knew how to love them. Her father and Neji had benefited from her warm heart.
Shikamaru continued, "It may be very difficult to ever be close to Gaara-sama. Hinata, even if he agrees, you may be very lonely in the marriage."
Hinata blinked at her friend. He was so earnest! It was unlike him to be so worried about things they had already planned and discussed. She wanted to lighten her friend's mood and her own. She pasted on a ridiculously happy face and said bravely. "That's not really new news Shikamaru-kun. I know the risks. But I'm going to do my best! Now if you excuse me I have to get ready for a date." Hinata stood up and blushed.
"Especially since…I guess… I'll have to make all the moves too." She practically ran for the door as she tried not to faint from embarrassment. What was she going to do to keep him interested?
"Gaara, why are you even considering this marriage? There have been so many proposals you have simply refused to discuss." Temari asked.
Gaara thought about her question. The silence stretched over them. Temari waited. It was true that the Byakugan could be a great asset to Sunagakure. But Gaara was unmoved by offers of great power. He had once held the immense power of a demon within himself. Gaara understood that power alone would not bring prosperity or happiness to Sunagakure or himself.
Many women had been offered to the Kazekage over the last few years. The greedy families of attractive girls created marriage proposals with an expectation of influence. A very few women had approached him on their own behalf. These women usually fell into one of two categories: either the "fangirl" or the ruthlessly ambitious. "Shy" and "sweet" were not words used to describe these women. But these were the words that Temari had used to describe the Hyuuga girl.
Gaara meet his sister's gaze and replied. "Temari-neesan, I think 'Shy' and 'sweet' might be interesting." He paused and continued abstractly, "I think…I want to find something for myself."
Temari nodded. As the Kazekage, Gaara always thought of the village first. He had found some measure for peace and happiness by protecting and serving the village. Gaara had healed himself in the process and Sunagakure prospered.
Gaara knew he had the love and respect of his sister and brother. He had obtained his wish to be needed, not as a fearsome weapon, but as the Kazekage. Perhaps now he could allow himself the wish to be needed as a man.
Gaara was expected to marry eventually. Since Shukaku had been removed, the council had suggested it on several occasions. The political marriage proposals left a sour taste in Temari's mouth and most had been rejected outright.
"You deserve something for yourself." Temari said quietly. He deserved someone who would care for him as a person. Not just a as a tool or an opportunity. "Do you think she can give you what you want?"
"I intend to find out, "Gaara looked at her and smirked suddenly, "Or at least have fun trying." Temari was surprised by his sudden humor. Gaara further shocked her by laughing at his sister's stunned expression. The sound of Gaara's non-homicidal laugh was something Temari was still getting used to.
The sun was setting when Hinata arrived to collect Gaara for dinner. Since they were going to meet up with Naruto, the "date" portion of the evening consisted mostly of the walking to and from Ichiraku Ramen Bar. Hinata was determined to make the most of their short time together.
She had changed into a modern qipao, a high collared one-piece form fitting dress. The classic high-cut slits on the sides allowed for the easy movement required of a kunoichi as well as hinting at her feminine legs. Hinata had chosen a blue one with a simple pattern and long sleeves for the cool fall weather. The elegant yet simple outfit accentuated her figure while covering her almost completely. She looked like a young women of style and breeding rather then a war-harden kunoichi. Of course Hyuuga Hinata was both.
Hinata had stopped to ask Ino for last minute advice. Ino was more then happy to provide "tips" on attracting the attention of her date. By the time Hinata arrived at the embassy, she was certain that most of her blush had faded.
Gaara had opted to wear his casual clothes and left his Kage robes behind. The dark cheongsam was an unexpectedly good match to Hinata's choice of attire. He wore his sand gourd with ease. His red hair was as unruly as ever. After exchanging brief greetings the two set off together. Temari stated that she might "drop by" later. It was unusual for any Kage to travel without attendants or guards. But Gaara was unlike other Kage.
The walk to the Ichiraku Ramen Bar was uneventful. They walked together, closely but without touching. The silence between them was more companionable then either expected. Occasionally Hinata pointed out an interesting landmark of the village.
Hinata knew that Gaara, like herself, would have no desire to fill the silence with idle chatter. So she simply tried to share her knowledge and love of Konoha in small ways. Gaara appreciated the simple conversation. It was…comfortable to be with the Hyuuga Heiress. She was calm and her voice was full of warmth.
When they arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen Bar, Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi already occupied three of the six stools. They greeted Gaara and Hinata warmly and offered Gaara the seat next to Naruto.
"You started without us Naruto-kun." Hinata teased as she took the stool next to Gaara.
"Hey, you know me Hinata-chan, I love ramen. Especially Ichiraku Ramen. Here Gaara, I'll order for you! It will be my treat." Naruto declared loudly. He ordered for Gaara and then turned for Hinata. "Oh, thanks again for bringing Gaara-kun. Are you staying for ramen too?" He asked confused when he finally noticed that she had sat next to Gaara.
"Naruto, don't be rude!" Sakura said as Hinata blushed and started to say something. "Hinata-chan, we are glad you are staying for dinner." Sakura said warmly.
Hinata gave a small smile and ordered her own ramen. "I'm glad the Kazekage has time to spend with his friends and am happy that I can get to know him better too." she said. The others looked a little confused but Naruto broke the tension with a story he really wanted to tell Gaara about a rumor of the new jutsu form the Hidden Mist Village.
After a while, Hinata noticed that Gaara had not touched his ramen. Naruto was starting his third bowl and Hinata was halfway through her own. 'Maybe he doesn't like ramen?' she wondered to herself. She smiled as she noticed that Kakashi had managed to finish his bowl without ever seeming to remove his mask.
As Hinata took another bite of her noodles, it became clear that Gaara had not even tasted his ramen. His chopstick lay untouched on the counter. No one else seemed to notice as Gaara continued to talk quietly with his loud blond friend. Sakura would occasionally interject with a comment or to correct Naruto with a friendly jab.
Kakashi stood up and excused himself. He had a solo mission and was leaving later that evening. As he stepped out of the ramen stand, he called to Hinata for a minute. He spoke quietly to her as she stepped out to join him, "Hinata-chan, good luck with whatever you are planning." She blushed. "You might want to remember that he is the Kazekage. So he probably doesn't usually eat without other Sand nin present." The Copy Nin winked at her and waved goodbye as he disappeared.
Gaara gave her a curious look as she returned to sit on her stool next to him. She replied with a thoughtful look as she reached over and picked up his chopsticks. Naruto stopped talking and gawked at her as Hinata began stealing Gaara's food. She grinned at Gaara. "Kazekage-sama, the ramen here is very good." She said between bites of his ramen.
Gaara was surprised. He was a little hungry. But he only ate food that was prepared by or tested by a trusted Sand nin. Since his automatic sand shield no longer functioned, he relied on mundane precautions against drugging and poisoning. The Hyuuga Heiress must have deduced this and wanted to help him.
Naruto almost fell backward as Hinata turned to Gaara and offered him some ramen from the chopsticks. Rather then take the chopsticks from Hinata…Gaara leaned over and opened his mouth slightly. He enjoyed watching her as she change interesting colors as she reached over to fed him.
THUNK! "heh, excuse me." Sakura mumbled as she picked herself off the floor. Naruto stood up to help her and they both gawked at the sight of shy little Hinata feeding the most powerful Sand nin of their generation.
Naruto started to get angry, "Hey, Gaara-kun! Don't take advantage of Hinata-chan like that. She's only trying to be nice!" Naruto groused. Hinata hands trembled as she helped Gaara with the last part of the ramen noodles. Gaara slurped up the last bit of noodle and a tiny spray of soup flick at Hinata. She blinked and started to giggle. Gaara smiled and reach up with his napkin to wipe her cheek.
"Be quiet Naruto." Sakura hissed as she pulled him over to whisper something in his ear. Naruto paled and his eyes darted from Hinata to Gaara and back again.
Gaara ignored them and decided to drink his soup. It was very tasty ramen. Hinata looked at her friends. "Naruto, Sakura, I asked Garra-sama if I could spend some time with him. Please don't be upset."
Sakura started to say something when Shikamaru interrupted. "Hey." He startled the four ramen stuffed nin as he walked in with Temari. Temari grabbed the stool next to Hinata and ordered the house special ramen. The stool was at the end of the counter. Kakashi's former seat was available at the opposite end of the counter. Shikamaru huffed, "Excuse me Hinata-chan, can you switch seats?"
"Uh, I guess I'm done eating actually. So…I suppose I should get going." Hinata said uncertainly. She wanted to spend more time with Gaara, but she thought he probably wanted to spend some time with Naruto. Temari was here, so she would likely stay close to the Kazekage for the rest of the evening. She was his advisor, bodyguard and sister.
So Hinata was surprised when Gaara stood up as well. "Yes, we should get going. Naruto, I'll see you again before I leave Konoha." He nodded to the speechless young man and turned to Sakura. "Good evening, Sakura-san."
As Gaara and a confused Hinata started to leave together, Naruto found his voice again. "Wait Gaara-kun, un…I have one more thing to talk to you about and it can't wait." He cocked his head to the side and walked a little away from the ramen stand to speak with Gaara.
Wordlessly, Gaara followed Naruto. Hinata looked after them and then turned back to Shikamaru and Temari. It looked like Temari was giving Shikamaru some money. Shikamaru mumbled, "Don't be a sore loser, it's just a bet." Hinata arched her eyebrow at her friend. He coughed slightly and turned back to the ramen bar without meeting her eyes.
"How long were you watching us Shikamaru-kun?" Hinata asked slightly irritated.
"We've been watching since you left the embassy." Temari answered before she started on her ramen. "I bet him that Gaara would not initiate any kind of contact with you tonight. I lost." Hinata was confused. When did Gaara touch her? Oh yes, when he helped clean her face. She blushed a little. Temari continued after swallowing her first bite. "You know he doesn't like personal contact. So I thought it was a save bet. Guess I was wrong." Hinata blushed a little more.
Sakura was a bit irritated. "You know Temari-san, Hinata-chan is very cute. Even Gaara can't ignore that." Hinata blushed harder at the complement. "But he better not take advantage of her. Hinata-chan, you know how to say 'no', right?" Shikamaru and Temari choked on their ramen. Hinata started to feel dizzy. "I mean, don't do anything you don't want to do." Sakura pressed on in spite of Hinata's discomfort.
"I-I'll be fine Sakura-chan!" Hinata stammered. She was unused to so much attention on her personal life. "I mean, I was the one that asked Gaara-sama to date me…" she mumbled.
"Un, that great Hinata-chan," Naruto said from behind her. Gaara and he had returned just in time to hear her last statement. Hinata whirled around to face them and started to wobble when she felt faint. Naruto and Gaara both reached out to steady her. "Are you okay Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked.
Hinata blinked at Naruto. She looked at Gaara and blinked again. "I'm fine. Th-thank you." Her vision cleared and she stood up straight. Remembering her training she took a deep breath and made an effort to look up at Gaara and Naruto.
"Hyuuga-sama, let's walk." Gaara said as he turned away. Hinata gave a quick wave goodbye to her friends and followed.
At the Ichiraku Ramen stand, Temari and Shikamaru had recovered from their choking fits. They began to discuss other possible bets. Naruto tried to ignore them as he returned to his, slightly cold, third bowl of ramen. His eyes widened at phrases like, "with tongue or without" and "eyes open or closed". Naruto closed his eyes and concentrated on his ramen.
"Kiba's not going to be happy…." muttered Sakura.
"What did Naruto want to talk about?" Hinata asked curiously. She hoped it was not like her conversation with Sakura.
"He wanted to tell me that you are 'a nice girl.'" Gaara replied in a calm monotone. "I told him I was interested in your bloodline limit." Which was true. Though it was not the only thing Gaara found interesting about the girl.
"Oh." Hinata said. She was a little disappointed, but she wasn't sure why. At least he had some interest. Her bloodline limit was the reason most people were interested in her. She touched her cheek where he had wiped her face. He seemed almost nice in that moment. And funny too, she recalled as he slurped up his noodles like a child.
"Perhaps we could spend more of the night together." Gaara paused and looked around the streets of Konoha. "I don't sleep much. Even without Shukaku, I prefer mediation to sleep." Gaara reasoned that his time in Konoha was limited and if he was really considering her offer, he should as much time with her as he could.
Spend more of the night together…Hinata face flamed that the implication. She reminded herself that she initiated this. Any sign that Gaara was actually interested in her was a good sign. Even if he wanted something…like sex… on the first date… That was what Shikamaru was trying to tell her. Gaara may be Kazekage, but he was still a guy. Hinata noticed black spots starting to form in her vision and reminded herself to breathe.
Oblivious to her internal embarrassment, Gaara continued. "We can speak more as you show me the Academy and other parts of Konoha." Although Gaara had been to the Leaf village many times over the past eight years, he had never wondered thought the village. It would be interesting to see more of the village and spend more time alone with the Hyuuga Heiress.
Hinata nodded and silently began to lead the way to her old school.
After visiting the Academy, Hinata decided to take him to the monument near the Hokage wall. She wanted him to understand the love and sacrifice that was the foundation of the village. He nodded as she explained the purposed of the place and as he looked at the names of the dead heroes of Konohagakure.
Next Gaara asked to see a place that was important to her. He wanted to know more about her. She decided to take him to the former training grounds for Team 8. As they arrived, Hinata wondered how she could show him that she was sincere and really wanted to marry him and have a family with him. She thought of Ino's advice, "show him that you are interested and he will be more interested in you." Ino had given her a lot of suggestions, which involved touching, hugging, kissing or showing cleavage.
Hinata looked up at the tall, handsome and fearsome man next to her and wondered what he was thinking. She looked at the character on his forehead, love. Did he ever think about love?
Gaara was thinking about the Hyuuga bloodline limit. He had first seen the Gentle Fist style during the Chunin Exams when Hyuuga Hinata had fought Hyuuga Neji. He remembered her fierce sprit despite her clear weakness. Gaara had observed Hyuuga Neji on several other occasions when the Sand and Leaf Nin worked on missions together. He suddenly realized that the training ground that they were standing in was a good place to get a clear demonstration of the Hyuuga bloodline limit.
"Hinata-sama, I want a sample of what you are offering."
Hinata stumbled and stopped. "O-Okay…." A sample? What did he mean? Oh…OH! "Um, Gaara-sama, can I –can I look at your face first." She said as she began to blush.
"Eh," He responded confused as he turned toward her. The moonlight was good enough for them to see each other. But it was not bright enough to clearly see expressions. She reached up as he turned toward her and hesitantly placed her hand on his cheek. He froze in surprise. What was she doing? His brain was still stuck on that question when she put her other hand on the other side of his face and pulled him down into a gentle kiss.
Author's note: Thanks again to the wonderful people that reviewed. It is very encouraging. Unfortunately, I didn't like this chapter much. I couldn't seem to get it right. The humor didn't seem to work. The content was kind of boring. Rewriting it a couple of times helped some. I'm hoping to continue to increase the fluff factor next chapter. What do you think? Please review!
