Trials
Gaarazlilmiss
NOTICE!!-For all of you that have never seen the story "Ai?" please go back and find it because it is the first story, and this one will end up making no sense if you haven't read that one first!!
Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto, so be happy…or not… :P
Hello! Guess what everybody? In ROTC (in case you don't know what it is, it's a program in High schools and private schools that teaches military bearing) , we just had Federal inspection, and we won best marching company!! Woot woot! Yeah, I'm pretty happy with our company, and now that means we have Best Marching Company, Honor Company, AND Best Company all on our title. We are the best! Big accomplishment especially when you're competing with five other companies in the battalion that are pretty darn good! Okay, enough with my personal life, the chapter being posted today, to answer your long awaited question: WILL GAARA MEET HINATA IN THIS CHAPPIE??? YES!! They do finally meet, and it's an awkward one at first, but it will slowly warp into a sweet little fic, with a couple of lemons and limes in between, but you get the point! Sorry it's taken me so long to post, I've been really busy! Thanks for waiting. Hope you all like it, thanks muchies for reading for so long and waiting patiently for me to update! I'm hoping you'll enjoy this chapter, see ya at the end!
Gaara : What's a battalion and all that you just said???
Gaarazlilmiss : Wow…welcome to the USA Gaara.
Hinata : She's happy about it Gaara-kun, so it must be something really good.
Gaara : ((crosses arms)) I don't care anymore…
Chapter 3 : Reunited
The night had arrived, and the festival had already started. Hinata nervously applied her make up in the small mirror. Her hands shook so furiously from her apparent anxiety that the lipstick she was applying didn't grace her lip, and instead ended up on her cheek. Hinata cursed quietly as she took the rag she had and began to quickly wipe it off.
While her friends could wear their comfortable Jounin or ANBU clothes, she had to wear a dressy kimono, a pale lavender design on a deep violet background that collided wonderfully with her hair and eyes, and a lavender obi wrapped around her. It was irritating , but Tsunade had said "she must be presentable for the Kazekage." Hinata groaned as she began to slowly twist he hair into an elegant bun and gelled the stray strands of hair down. She put the elegant pins in her hair to hold it in place firmly, and add to the overall appearance. When she finally considered herself finished, she walked through the sliding door and out onto the busy streets of Konoha.
She wasn't the only one dressed in a kimono. Some other konoha women wore theirs as well, men dressed in their formal wear too. The women who came from the sand village, however, dressed in plain everyday clothing, looking slightly embarrassed within the crowd of nicely dressed konoha women and keeping a close eye on their husbands. Hinata almost tripped over a young girl running by in her kimono. It looked like she was having fun. Sometimes, Hinata wished she was still young. Or maybe she didn't. She didn't have much of a life then either. Her father made that concrete from the start. Out of all the women though, Hinata seemed to be the flashiest, and attracted quite a bit of attention as she walked by. She almost hurled about a million times so many eyes were on her. She was so focused on trying to block out all the staring, she didn't realize that Sakura had stopped in front of her, and she bumped into her, falling flat on her butt. She quickly stood, dusting off the back of her kimono and blushing furiously as she smiled sheepishly at Sakura.
Sakura grinned. "Glad I bumped into you Hinata." she said with a wink.
Hinata smiled. Sakura was always really supportive of her, no matter how embarrassing her acts were. It made Hinata smile she didn't burst out laughing and walk off like SOME people would do. "W-why do you say that, Sakura-Chan?" asked Hianta quietly.
"Because Tsunade-Sama told me to escort you to the hokage building. I knew I was running late, I was trying to shove Naruto and Lee off of me. They're experiencing a hang over. Yes, a hang over and our mission has just started. Wise, huh?" she asked as they walked.
Hinata looked at Sakura. "Are you serious? Naruto has a hangover? That's not something I'd expect out of him." Hinata said.
"Well do believe it, as he'd say. Lee I'm not so worried about, but Naruto…that's scary." Sakura said rolling her eyes.
Hinata looked at Sakura curiously. "Um, just curious Sakura-Chan…Why do I need an escort? I'm more than capable of finding my way to the building myself…" Hinata asked.
"Because you are escorting the Kazekage around for a week. Do you honestly think you won't be targeted by a few assassins? Impossible in this world. So many things could happen to you, it's ridiculous, and therefore, to ensure you make it safely there, I must escort you, so no complaining. Besides, your role in this mission's so important and I'm jealous actually. I mean, the Kazekage. That's a big responsibility, and in your case…a privilege." said Sakura.
Hinata couldn't come to understand how Sakura considered her job a privilege. It was so much work and so easy to fail, now that she thought about it. What if the Kazekage didn't like her? What if he was a mean old man? What if he was a sleazy young kage that liked to use his power…unfairly? Hinata shivered at the last thought. She'd seen how noble men treated younger women who were willing or unwilling, either way. Why that thought crossed her mind, she didn't know right away. But the thought drew her to thinking about Kiba and herself. She was still shocked about that whole scenario, but it made her feel pleasure just thinking about it. What could she say, but a feeling like that was something she hoped later on in her life when she was absolutely ready she'd feel again. Hinata pushed the thoughts back and nodded to Sakura.
"Hey Hinata…?" Sakura asked. "Do you think the new Kazekage will be like the one that almost tried to destroy Konoha during the first Chuunin exams?" Sakura asked. Although she knew who the Kazekage was, Hinata didn't, and Sakura couldn't help but feel slightly paranoid about Gaara. He was a monster awhile ago…he might try it again, and the chances were high. She wanted to hear Hinata's pre-thought before she met Gaara again.
"…N-no. I'm sure that Sunagakure wouldn't allow such a leader to come up again. Also, that figure was actually Orochimaru, but I'm pretty sure that this Kazekage is wonderful. After all, he did agree to come to Konoha for our festival." Hinata answered, but deep down, she was wondering almost the same thing as Sakura, although her thoughts were more about what she'd have to endure with this mystery Kage.
"Well…maybe." Sakura said. Hinata was such an optimist even after such terrible turns in her life. Sakura admired her for that, but she wondered if being so naïve about some situations was a good thing. After all, a ninja always had to consider the worst case scenario of any situation, and the best case scenario. Hinata only tried to think positively about everything, and maybe that's why she was so hard on herself as well.
As Hinata walked, she glanced over in the direction of a familiar voice. As she turned her head, she could have sworn she saw someone VERY familiar. Their eyes…they were rimmed black, and the iris of each eye were a sky blue, almost icy. The voice stopped for a second, and the figure glanced over at her, eyes widening for a second, but they quickly went into a normal stare, one that Hinata swore she knew well. The body of the person was concealed in a deep darkness they were a good distance away, but it was enough to give Hinata the shock of her life. She stopped suddenly, and Sakura glanced back at her, one eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Hinata?" Sakura asked.
Hinata didn't move.
"HINATA!! Answer come on!" said Sakura.
Hinata turned slowly to Sakura, her milky lavender eyes in a daze. She then shook her head and began to walk slowly with Sakura, who asked nothing else, but was deeply confused by her previous actions.
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The two sand siblings followed their youngest brother at a hasty pace. He had started to walk away suddenly, just when he was in mid-sentence about telling both of them what to do about the strange acting sand Shinobi. Trying to keep up was almost impossible, and it was amazing how he could move so fast with that heavy gourd strapped on his back.
Finally, Kankuro decided to speak up. "Hey Gaara…you okay?" he asked.
Gaara looked at Kankuro quickly, then turned his head back around. "Why do you ask?" he asked.
"Because you're walking so fast we can barely keep up." said Temari.
"So? It's not my fault you two are slow as snails. Keep up, or fall back." he said.
"You know we can't do that Gaara." said Kankuro.
Gaara said nothing.
"Where are the sand shinobi that accompanied us earlier?" Gaara asked.
"Don't try to change the subject Gaara. Tell us what's up." Kankuro said.
"Nothing is your business. Stay out of it, and keep quiet." he said hastily.
Temari looked at Kankuro, telling him that it was a lost case, and that it was no use in arguing with him any longer about the situation. They both nodded to each other and followed Gaara, not saying a word.
Funny how the youngest, most horribly treated out of the three of us leads us and tells us what to do. I never thought I'd see the day…
Kankuro thought.
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Tsunade stood in the window along with Shizune watching the bustling streets of Konoha fill with people from Sand and Leaf both. It was nice to see some large fireworks every once in awhile, and gaze upon the colorful streets of Konoha. The place was more lively than Tsunade had seen it in a long time, and she had to admit it excited her. "The Kazekage is late." said Shizune as she looked at Tsunade.
"So? If he wants to take his time, I'm not complaining. Besides, this is a wonderful sight, and I enjoy seeing it. Don't ru-"
Just as Tsunade was about to finish her sentence a few firm knocks hit the door.
Tsunade sighed. "Shizune, you'd be such a stiff of a hokage if you had been picked. I'd love to see that." she said. "Come in." Tsunade said.
Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro stepped into the room, all looking stern.
"Awww. Lighten up! This is a festival you know. You don't have to act so Shinobi-like now…Just lighten up." Tsunade said.
"A shinobi can never lighten up." said Gaara in reply.
Tsunade sighed. "Whatever…" she said. "Anyway, Kazekage-sama, please have a seat if you'd like. Temari-san, Kankuro-san, you may also." said Tsunade.
Kankuro and Temari took seats, but Gaara remained standing, his arms folded across his chest.
This guy's a stiff too. He and Shizune would get along so well.
She thought. "Um, okay. As you should have been informed, you will have an escort. She will arrive shortly." said Tsunade
"She…?" Gaara questioned.
"Yes she. Is that a problem?" asked Tsunade with a small grin.
"…No." said Gaara. He didn't expect his escort to be a she. He'd ditch her when he got the right chance. There was someone he really wanted to see while he was here. He couldn't help it. He told himself he wouldn't let this matter bother him anymore, but it was so tempting. She was right here, in this very village, with him. There was absolutely no way he would leave without visiting the person who opened him up, even if only slightly. Gaara almost smiled. It would be a whole week. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
"Great. Now, your quarters-" Tsunade was yet again interrupted as a few light taps hit the door.
"Come in…" Tsunade said.
Gaara noticed her quick glance at him.
Temari and Kankuro turned to see who was entering the room.
Hinata stepped shyly in, her eyes downcast and her skin paler than it should be, along with Sakura who bowed respectfully to Tsunade, and then to Gaara. "Hokage-sama, Kazekage-sama." she said quickly and humbly.
Gaara took no notice. His eyes were fixed on Hinata, who hadn't looked up once, and his mouth, even though he didn't realize it, was agape.
"H-hokage-sama…Hinata Hyuuga…as you requested." Hinata said quietly as she looked up finally. "Ka-…." Hinata suddenly stopped as she looked at the Kazekage, all the words she'd conjured up to say to the him lost.
There was an awkward silence as everyone looked between the two. Both of them had almost the same expression on their faces for a split second, until Gaara quickly regained his composure and stood upright stiffly while still looking at Hinata. He resisted the strong urge to say something unprofessional to her.
"Kazekage-sama…I believe you've met before. But just in case, Hinata Hyuuga, your escort." said Tsunade.
Hinata shook her head slightly, a pin that was placed in her bun flying across the room to the floor. She blushed with embarrassment as she began to walk over to retrieve it.
"Hinata-Chan…it's been too long." said Temari with a wide grin.
Hinata placed the pin back into her hair and smiled nervously at Temari. "Y-yes it h-has…" said Hinata.
Gaara slowly walked forward. He was unsure of what he should do. Something must be done, after all, this was HIS Hinata, the girl he hadn't seen for almost three years that he claimed as his. "Hinata-Chan." Gaara said.
Hinata was shaky with nervousness. She hadn't in a MILLION years expected the Kazekage to be Gaara. It just didn't make sense. She looked to Tsunade and then to Sakura. It all started making sense then, what they had said to her. When Tsunade had said she had a bond with the Kazekage and Neji couldn't do it, and when Sakura said it was, for her, a privilege to be escorting the kazekage around for a week…now it all clicked. She was indeed lucky, but afraid at the same time. A lot could change in three years. Their appearances for one. Gaara was much taller than her, almost a head. He was lean, but his kage robes hid most of his other features for the moment. His shaggy red hair was much longer, touching his neck now, but not so much. The only thing Hinata found the same, no matter how much time had passed were his eyes. Still so deep, and so complicated to understand, yet mesmerizing.
She smiled at Gaara finally. "G-gaara-kun." she said.
"Alright, alright! Kazekage-sama, you have now received your escort, she will show you to your quarters first, then she will escort you around Konoha for the festival until you decided you'd like to rest." Tsunade said with a grin. "Temari-san, Kankuro-san, if you'd like, you can leave now. Feel free to help yourselves to anything. Our village is your village during your stay." Tsunade said.
At that, Kankuro jumped up. "Oh yeah! So does that mean free food?" he asked excitedly.
Temari sighed. "Pig." she said under her breath.
"Of course not! We have to pay for our food too, you know. " said Tsuande.
Kankuro walked out slowly, with Temari rushing him out the door. Once it shut, Tsunade looked at the two before her. "Gaara-sama, I hope you enjoy your time here. Our first meeting concerning the alliance will be held tomorrow afternoon. Have fun, oh, and Hinata…" Tsunade called.
Hinata turned to her.
"You have fun too. Don't get all nervous and too focused on business. That can be handled later. This is a time for us all to relax…well, you all anyway…" she said.
Hinata blushed furiously but bowed respectfully to Tsunade. "Hai, Hokage-sama." she said.
Hinata led Gaara out the door. The time had come. They had met again, and that was something they thought would never happen.
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Very sorry that this chapter might be a little boring, but the next chapter will be…I can't spoil it, but you'll like it! Thanks for reading again.
Gaara : Did you know that she wrote this 3 days ago, and forgot to put this part up?
Gaarazlilmiss : It's not my fault that chemistry is killing me!!! --
Hinata : Gaara, give lilmiss-san a break.
Gaara : …