A/N: For those of you waiting on the lemon for "On The Coldest Night" it's almost finished and will be updated once it is…so expect it later this week. Nothing hardcore though, but, it is a lemon...

As for this fiction, there's some fluff and otherwise sprinkled in throughout the chapter. Also, just to answer the question ahead of time, the characters in the ladies council are all lesser Suna characters. Either from the book media, the fan events/drama CD's, or the anime itself. We just don't see some of these women too often...and the ones that go on unnamed have been given names by me, but their affiliation to Suna still stands.

Particularly the Hoki clan and the Shirogane clan.

Hindsight 20/20
Chapter 4: 20/200
Blind Part 3

He was the type of man late to sleep, and early to rise.

He didn't require much rest, and he was never accustomed to mindless idleness. It was a bad habit, but he wasn't keen to break it. He worked when he couldn't stop thinking, keeping himself busy and his village running smoothly. No one could claim he was a lazy man. Even when he wasn't behind his desk, he wasn't lax about village matters. Gaara kept himself busy, either at the academy, or among the newly promoted genin.

Gaara was no stranger to the village markets. He just didn't make it a habit to make purchases. His most common reason for visiting, was to fix the problems that life in the desert supplied. Without warning sandstorms could topple buildings, and the foundation could crack. He made sure that important buildings remained strong. Since he so rarely went shopping, many store owners found themselves shocked when he started selecting items personally.

He picked the finest, often at exorbitant prices.

Hinata was browsing a clothing store, having purchased unavoidable essentials. She needed long sleeved tunics to wear under her regular clothes. Otherwise she might get burned by the sun. She couldn't decline the whole line of skin care products for the same reason. She even agreed when Gaara told her that she needed to consider purchasing a few full bodied dresses. Ones that would keep her covered during wind gusts, and yet cool in the heat.

However, when he gestured to the scarves, she found it rather strange. "Are those actually a requirement?"

"Perhaps." Gaara flicked his gaze to a few young girls who were walking around. They had some tied around their waists. "Sandstorms." He murmured quietly so as not to be overheard. "Scarves are practical." They were also a fashion statement, and all the rage for both men and women. He thought he ought not to say that last part. "It would behoove you to have a few."

"I suppose it would be better." She looked to him. There were so many styles. "What would you suggest?"

Being the utilitarian that he was, he pulled from the pile a black one. Then, a cream colored one. Both for the sake of decency. Even Temari kept those two colors in her wardrobe. He found himself torn between the colorful ones. He held up the thin sky blue scarf, and then did the same to a gentle violet. While they were lovely, and made of silk, he wasn't so taken with either color.

Then, his eyes then caught one with silvery thread. Feeling himself drawn to it, he plucked it from the pile. "This." He commented as he lifted it for inspection. "It is adequate."

He would willingly adorn her with silver and gold because the delicately rich colors complimented her so well. He watched her fingers pull the thin material from his hand, sliding it around her neck. She spent some time gazing into the mirror. The whole while, his green eyes refused to leave her form. The silk was a soft contrast to the black garments she wore while shopping, adding just the right pop of brightness.

"So, what do you think?" She asked him, trying to discern what that fixed gaze of his meant.

Gaara only nodded the slightest bit. "Befitting."

Their day continued in that similar sort of fashion. They would pass by stalls and boutiques, purchasing a few bits and pieces wherever they went. All of the money spent was at Gaara's behest, as his insisted on more things he deemed important for Hinata to have. He wondered if she would ever ask for something herself. So far, she had made no requests.

There was one store they passed that seemed to catch Hinata's eye. It was a china shop, and he recalled during their travels that she found glassware interesting. The objects she peered at were teacups. They were of fine make, the glass was thin. It showcased designs of crows that rested upon tree branches.

He didn't ask why the cups intrigued her. Honestly, he didn't care. All that he needed to know was that she had become smitten with them. They were merely trinkets. If she so desired them, they would be hers. "The teacups…" He murmured just above a whisper. "You find them desirable?"

"I was just looking." Hinata said as she began to walk along again. Gaara followed her. "I do like to window-shop every now and then."

"Window-shop?" Gaara tasted the phrase that was so new to him.

"Browse, but not buy." Hinata told him as they continued on. "Sometimes, it can be fun just to look."

"Hmm." The sound soft, completely neutral. "Whimsical practice."

"Maybe so, but that's what makes it fun." Hinata said with a small laugh. "It isn't practical to buy every little thing that catches your attention."

Gaara supposed that was true. He carried several bags in hand already, and those were only the ones Hinata would allow him to. She had a few bags in her own hands. Still, she hadn't taken an interest in the other stores. Not quite in the same way. He idly flicked a glace back to the china shop. He would have to see to the matter later.

…

It was honestly only the start of their long day together. After a morning of shopping, they returned home, where Gaara found havoc ensuing. Apparently there was a mix-up with the boarder patrol, and he would have to deal with the corresponding documents.

His brother and several others had escaped the offices for the rest of the day, but he didn't pay any mind to it. He didn't have any reason to. He was sure their dinner was going to be loud and that his brother was going to get drunk. He had no doubt that several others would start throwing back drinks too. That's what they did after Gaara returned from being way at length.

In fact, Gaara was sure that at least one female ninja was going to be staying where she ought not to...at least not without the council's approval. He just prayed that Kankuro kept his involvement with the girl quiet until they were both ready to settle down...Then again, Temari was going with the group too. It would be a small grace of god if she didn't end up bedding that Nara fellow for the umpteenth time.

just thinking about his sister bedding anyone made a disgusted chill roll up his spine, and he held back a dark snarl. He was so busy, and mentally agitated that he even skipped dinner.

Gaara rarely took his meals at decent hours, he just wasn't interested in eating for the joy of it. He partook only what he needed to, and never imbibed beyond that. He knew that wasn't how most people thought. Eating was a social grace, and a drinking liquor was a way to unwind after a long day. He never did understand it, or why his brother stumbled through the halls in a stupor.

Matsuri seemed to be in high spirits upon returning, and Hinata so rarely saw the younger girl at ease. It was a welcome change, and even a little gratifying to see the girl ever so slightly embarrassed. Apparently Gaara had never seen her drunk before, and Hinata wasn't surprised by that.

"Blithering idiot…" Gaara muttered when his office door slammed closed, laughter could be heard on the other side as Kankuro crashed into something.

"They must have had a good time." Hinata replied simply, as she tried to withhold a smile.

Gaara didn't respond to that. If being hungover the next day would also qualify as having a good time, then he supposed the world was a lost cause. In fact, his mind drifted from his brother to the woman that owned the bar. "I'll send condolences to the establishment."

"I doubt you'd need to do that." Hinata said honestly.

Looking up from the document in his hand, Gaara paused. "You would be incorrect."

Hinata smiled a bit nervously. "I've never known a bar to expect reparations from the village leader before."

Offering that same impassive gaze that he always did, it lingered for a moment. Then he busied himself with signing the document with elegant script, and sealing the scroll to be delivered later. It was only after he did this, that he found Hinata still regarding him. It was as if she was prompting him into speech.

If she wanted to converse about the topic, so be it.

Gaara meticulously set his pen down. "Kankuro fails to act with proper recourse. As the Kazekage, it is my job to ensure that no harm comes to his character, or to my own." He then picked up his pen again, a small hint of disgust lacing his words. "Inebriation is insulting."

If only Gaara could have seen Tsunade at her worst. Then again, all of Konohagakure knew of her love for drinking. She wasn't exactly a lush, but she wasn't particularly the paragon of sobriety either. Hinata could only laugh gently. "You've never had alcohol before, have you?"

"No."

It was such a curt response that Hinata wondered about it. "Personal choice?"

It had nothing to do with choices. "I am the Kazekage." Gaara replied darkly. "I must be aware of my faculties at all times."

"Yes, I suppose that's true." Even she found warm Sake rather tasty on cold nights. "I've never been without mine, but, ceremonial sake is a commonality among the Hyuga." In fact, thanks to her father, she had developed quite the tolerance. "Although, I am surprised that you weren't raised to imbibe with dinner."

Gaara considered this. "Strange, is it not?" Kankuro and Temari certainly were raised as socialites. He knew they always had watered down wine with their dinners as children. During the appropriate council gatherings, they drank sake too. Just as Hinata had. It all came down to one simple fact, and nothing more. "I was never permitted to have the morality of others. As such, I also wasn't offered the same rights as others of my station."

"O-oh, I see." She left it at that, averting her gaze. She began up-taking the task that rested on the table beside her.

Black rimmed eyes took in the sight before him. She began working with a set of knitting needles, and a few balls of yarn. Reaching for his some of now cold tea, he sipped at it idly. Black and red, he had no idea why she had chosen those colors particularly. She had a little bit of white too, but that one had gone untouched. Leaving her to her hobby, he also returned to work.

The idleness was so strange, as he had never before needed to appease a woman who sat in his office.

Matsuri was always keen to linger on his every word as a dutiful student. Furthermore, her affections for his older brother were obvious. As for his sister, Temari wasn't someone who needed to be appeased, most certainly not by himself. In fact, she was the one who often kept him calm and collected...lastly, there were the several female Jonin under his employ. They avoided him outside of missions, and the same held true for the older chunin as well.

In fact, it seemed as if only the young genin and academy students truly saw fit to idolize him.

So what then, did all of that say to him about Hinata? She was a woman he had to appease, because he made a promise to do so. That, and to curry favor would be in his best interest later on. Favorable women were obedient ones. Much less volatile towards a male's advance, and he would need to make advances eventually. Especially after they were married.

How could he even begin to try that? He let a growl fall from his lips. It was deep and louder than he intended.

"Gaara?"

He didn't lift his gaze. "Think nothing of it."

She was thinking about it though. "You sound…upset…"

"Pondering something." He replied, his voice still wavering.

"You…" She looked back to her project, but she just had to know. "You do that when you think?" She asked timidly.

He nodded, but she didn't see it.

"Doing that..." Hinata wondered if she should say what was on her mind. She struggled with it.

He growled again, and put his chin in his palm agitatedly. "Out with it."

"It makes you sound angry." She told him, her eyes falling to the floor. The woven rug was expensive looking, regal and perfect. "I..I wanted to be sure that I was not the cause...or that...that if I am the cause, you will tell me how to rectify that."

Well, he was angry, but not particularly at her. He was angry at himself. "Do not concern yourself."

He did a great many things when he found himself at odds. At that moment, she was the cause of his mental anguish. She probably didn't even have a clue, but there she was, sitting there in his office. She was promised to be his, and she took a strange fascination in his thoughts, and his actions. Considering all of that, what wasn't there to be annoyed about?

She was perhaps the one woman he'd ever come into contact with that didn't challenge his mentality.

She seemed worried about him, worried that she had still done something terribly wrong. That bothered him even more. All he could do was tap idly at his desk with his pointer finger. He had no words for her, nothing that would be acceptable, anyway.

He would think of a way to explain, he had to.

…

He hadn't slept well, and the next day, he was not keen to be sociable. He still had no idea how to explain his feelings to Hinata, or even how he could deal with her properly. He would have to come up with a viable answer for that problem soon, but first and foremost, he had to deal with his insipid council. It was going to be a hard day for his betrothed, because she would have to meet them, and then be swiftly taken out of the room to join her own meetings.

He didn't even have time to explain that much, since he had to issue out mission detailing's early that morning.

Slowly, he had begun to understand what she meant by complicated political affairs. This marriage would be hard, and the council would be breathing down his back until he produced an heir. Even more bothersome was that Gaara had no idea how to achieve a measure of peace between the head strong Konoha woman he intended to marry, and the bigoted council of his elders...

He grumbled yet again as he was told by his elder sister that the council acted she expected them to. Women were to be seen, but not heard in Sunagakure. Especially not women who were trying to curry favor with the elderly council of representatives.

"I don't understand." Hinata lamented. "Shouldn't I stay with Gaara?" It was rather strange that she had to leave.

"In this instance, no." Matsuri told her quietly. "Keep your head bowed and back out of the room slowly. Don't turn your back to them."

Hinata did as she was told, but she did it reluctantly. As the door closed, she finally sighed. "I've never met a group of people who thought so little of me before. It's it really just because I'm a woman?" There were still a few around that big round table council that were female. Temari just so happened to be one of them.

"I'm afraid so, yes. We're not allowed in there once the proceedings start." Matsuri said as she attended Hinata's gathering instead. "I'm sure you will be accepted, once you're married. If you decided to be part of the war council it's a requirement."

"Oh she doesn't want to sit there with those blaspheming peacocks." One of the older women said gently from her place. "The men have their woes, we have our own. Leave them to bicker so that we can discuss our matters peacefully."

Matsuri gave a deep bow to the aging woman. "This is Shimako of the distinguished Hoki clan. Beside her sits Shijima, her distant relative."

"A pleasure to meet you both." Hinata said in greeting.

"Likewise." Shijima said quietly, as per her namesake.

"It's been a while since I've seen a Hyuga in our midst. Our clan hailed from Konoha once ourselves, you know. That makes us kin long before any of this wedding nonsense. It's a grand scheme the war council's cooked up." The aging woman laughed at bit as she offered a kind smile. "It is an honor to have you among our ilk, Hinata-sama." Shimako gestured to the open seat at the table. "Matsuri, if you would be so kind as to gather some tea. I'll be happy to help our lady get settled."

Matsuri nodded, wandering off, leaving Hinata to sit at the circle of complete strangers.

"Now then, I suppose I should catch you up to speed. You see, normally Temari sits in on these gatherings. Though she is a fine diplomat in her own way, she has much more of her father in her than many would like to believe. The village council is mostly comprised of our husbands. While they often do wonderful work when it comes to shinobi matters, they lack the finesse to properly guide the civilian quadrant of the village. Since many of us are retired Kunoichi ourselves, we decided to become quite the meddlers in political affairs."

Matsuri came back in, wheeling the tea tray. "The ladies you see before you, are members of what we call the peace council."

Hinata nodded. She assumed that made sense. Her mind shifted quietly composing herself. Just like she would during her own clan meetings back at home. "May I ask what the goal of these meetings are?"

"To keep our husbands out of trouble." Another aging woman said.

"To maintain what they cannot." Shijima murmured.

"That too." Shimako murmured as she nodded to her niece. "Despite the ages of many among you, this council is quite young. It was founded by Karura before her death, and we have honored her wish to maintain what she started."

Temari had walked in during the bantering, and took her place against the wall. She hated sitting around when she didn't have to. "I don't think my mother expected gossiping at this table."

"Your mother was the lead gossiper, I'll have you know." Shimako said while wagging a finger. "Now sit down and join us for tea would you. We cannot start this meeting without you."

"Here we go again." This came from a young woman, who seemed to elbow another. "Yome what do you think our fathers are complaining about now?"

"Who knows, Sen?" Yome replied, glancing up to Temari. "Care to dish?"

If Hinata didn't know any better, she could have worn she had just sat down to tea with Ino and Sakura, and not a bunch of Sunagakure's elite. She gave Temari a questioning look.

The blonde female just shrugged. "When I get hitched to Shikamaru, that's what you're going to have to deal with. Better get used to it." Deciding she better sit down before her friends dragged her down, she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "The items on today's agenda include the wedding plans, and not much else. No one's decided on those new plans for the hospital yet, and missions are about as expected."

"What about the Jonin exams?" Yome asked.

"Why do you care?" Temari asked with a huff. "You're still just a genin."

"Retired genin…" Yome corrected pointing to the ring on her finger. "The reason I'm asking is because according to the active rosters, we're short. We need more." The fourth great war was her last service to Sunagakure, and now she was happily married. Her place was best behind a desk. Dealing with allied villages, or looking after the hawks in the tower.

That's true." Sen agreed. "Sooner or later, we're even going to lose you."

"Hinata will take my place." Temari said with a shrug.

"Um, Temari, if I may be so bold…I'm only a chunin." Hinata admitted quietly.

"You have the credentials to be promoted, and you will be." Temari said, not even questioning Hinata's ability. "Gaara has already decided on that. Even if you're merely on the reserved list. There's plenty a retired jonin can still do to help out around here."

"Yes, I see...Well...if they're discussing wedding details, then maybe we should do the same." Hinata said a bit nervously. "I'm sure they could use some help."

Temari gave Hinata a questioning glance, but then slowly nodded. "I'll go borrow the magazines already approved by the council."

…

There was far more to wedding planning than what Hinata thought, and she found herself drowning in all of the choices laid out before her. It had taken her hours to go over what the council had already decided. It took several more to make the adjustments that she needed to. Finally, with Temari acting as the go-between, both councils came to an agreement about everything.

From the clothing, to the decorations, and even the seating arrangements, it was all sorted out.

By the time she was done, she was exhausted. All she wanted to do was relax and get back to knitting. She wasn't even hungry for supper, choosing to avoid the large meal she knew was going on in the dining hall.

"You should seek sustenance."

She lifted her eyes of the monotone voice that she knew belonged to her betrothed. Gaara was dressed in silk robes, white as winter's first snow. They were not like the Kazekage robes he had on during the council. These were thinner, made for the relaxation of evening. Lavished with golden trim around the hems, they made him seem like a king. His chest was left partly exposed due to the sharp-V-neckline. Only golden chains connecting the two sides of the robe from being left entirely open. With this robe were a set of white pants, but his feet went without his usual sandals.

He looked like a bejeweled god sent from the heavens, and she found it hard to speak to him in such a state. "I'm sorry." She dragged her eyes away. "I'm just not very hungry."

Gaara considered this. Perhaps she wasn't, but to go without food was never a wise plan. He placed a cloth onto the table, warmed rolls hidden within. "Partake of these."

She could smell them from her place, and put her knitting aside. "You are being too good to me."

"I promised to see to your every need." Gaara explained dryly.

"Yes, you did promise that, didn't you?" Hinata had forgotten how forward thinking Gaara could be. She stood from her place. "What do…what do you ask of me?"

His green eyes slid behind closed lids. "You must eat to survive." He was only doing as he said he would. It wasn't any more complicated than that. Still, her soft question plucked at him. He was grossly unused to it, and it bothered him. "I promised, that is all."

"Then I'm glad." Hinata murmured, fearing Gaara's words to be a lie. "I…I don't want to be an inconvenience for you though."

"Hm." He thought on this, highly unimpressed by the statement. "Strange." If anyone was to be an inconvenience, it was him, surely. He was the man in need of a wife, of children, of absolute power and authority over his people. "Explain your reasoning."

"I never want to be seen as incompetent, especially not by you." She felt as if she was. As she wasn't living up to his needs. If she was falling sort of his requirements, she wanted to be told. "Please tell me if I ever become a burden to you. I will need to know my shortcomings if I am to correct them."

"Foolishness." Gaara corrected. "You speak foolishness."

Hinata blushed, but it was one of shame. "I...I wouldn't begin to guess at what you might find unsatisfactory." She told him with honesty in her every word. "But...I know that I would never want to be that way...I...I really just want to be a good wife." Be a good wife so that he wouldn't leave her. So that he would stay be her side always. So that she could protect him, just as he would protect her.

"I do not view you in any negative capacity." At this Gaara sighed. She wasn't a burden, she was just confusing to him. That wasn't her fault. "You are not unsatisfactory. Hinata, you must understand. You will submit yourself to me soon enough, as was the promise you made to me. That corresponds with our agreement, so you have not yet failed in anything."

"I…" Hinata's voice shook ever so slightly. "I won't deny you."

"Of course not." He lifted his fingers, running them along the chain he had given the woman. "We are nothing without our promises." It was befitting of her. It was perfection. Utterly so. He wished he could prove that further.

"I agree." she said softly.

"Our words govern great laws." Gold was a signature of the Kazekage. A meaning to his people, a power his father once commanded. "Our promises too." The moment he'd put that chain around her neck, she was his. Somehow, even she had managed to understand that. "Without that, we are powerless. If you did not understand this, I would not have chosen you." Saying that still didn't please him.

It didn't seem to please her either. She was worried again, he could tell. How in the bloody hell was he supposed to ease that fear in her eyes?

He nearly choked on his angry growl to keep it from her ears. "You..." He had to keep his voice even. Had to maintain perfect and balanced composure. "I do not like it when you needlessly worry. Please, cease doing that. As if this time, it is unwarranted." Without meaning to, he had tangled his fingers in that golden chain, lifting it to his lips.

He was so close he could smell her scent. So lovely, perfect, in every single way.