Title What do you see when
you look at me?
Author lonelywhisperz
Genre
Romance/General
Rating 13+ (For now anyways)
Disclaimer
Naruto and all of the characters of Naruto belong to Masashi
Kishimoto! Duh! I am not profiting at all by publishing this piece of
fiction. I am writing and 'publishing' this work of fan fiction
for my pleasure and the pleasure of other Naruto fans! Besides… It
isn't worth suing me because I don't own anything but some old
smelly socks and some unidentified gooey stuff under my bed. So…
Yeah.
Summary Hinata finally takes the leap… Gaara
returns to Konoha… Omgoodness! O.O What is going to
happen!
Chapter Four Changes…
Gaara watched the ever changing sand dunes surrounding Sunagakure, moving and swirling as the wind forced it to dance under the moonlight.
It has been exactly two weeks now…
He had kept track of the days that passed so that he knew precisely how many days it has been since he was last in Konohagakure. He was aware that he would not have any missions requiring his presence in Konohagakure for at least another two to four weeks. Normally, he didn't care but this time… there was definite frustration at the thought of being away from Konohagakure for much longer.
He wanted to go back.
He didn't pretend to himself that it was for any reason other than the Hyuuga girl. She intrigued him. Their encounter on her rooftop still echoed in his mind. The memory of her brief contact, the smooth skin he touched when he'd grabbed her wrist, and her soft feminine voice often filled his thoughts and kept him occupied during the long hours he spent in solitude at night. It all stirred something raw, masculine and untouched deep inside him.
He did not try to simulate sleep tonight. His thoughts were almost constantly focused on the Hyuuga girl during his free time and although it took little to no effort for him to detect a person approach him in his sleep-simulated state, he preferred not to be unexpectedly surprised.
Enthralled, he watched the landscape continue to change before his very eyes. He thought it was ironic how the immense dessert that could consume lives with its ferocious heat and daunting emptiness was powerless against the seemingly harmless, soft and cool but insistent wind to change and shift.
As soon as he felt the slight wind movement change, he sensed the other person. He waited. It was only a few seconds before he was joined on the roof of the old temple. He shifted his eyes to look at the newcomer.
"Kazekage-sama." A simple greeting, but then again, he has never been known for being talkative.
Temari made a face at him. She was as tall as Gaara was, standing a decidedly impressive 5 foot 10 inches.
"You know I dislike that title." Her eyes narrowed as she glared at his unwelcoming stance and obvious cold-shoulder.
Not that she was surprised by the welcome. This was normal. He was distant. But at least she now felt him to be a brother rather than a ticking time bomb. Instead of leaving Kankurou and herself with threats to kill them, he now left unwashed laundry for her to clean. Instead of snarling at her, he now chose to irritate her with carefully chosen words.
Now, as he probably expected, she was just plain annoyed with him.
What were brothers for?
But something was off.
She couldn't quite put her finger on it but she definitely sensed something out of place tonight. Gaara was projecting tension from every pore of his body for some reason. She could feel it.
She waited.
"I have a request."
There it was. As long as she waited for him to sort himself out, he would always find the words to bring up whatever was on his mind.
"Yes?" She was careful to sound uninterested yet compliant. He never liked being pushed.
"…. I wish to return to Konohagakure as soon as possible and to stay for a longer period of time than usual..."
She was quiet for awhile, unsure if he was done. Obviously, he felt no reason to elaborate. He simply watched the unseen horizon waiting for her reply.
"Is there a specific… motive for this request?" She knew she was threading on thin ice but it was rare that Gaara made a request, especially one as strange as this.
"That is none of your concern." His eyes looked straight into her own, fire aflame within them. Cold fire. She said nothing. "However, I assure you that I have no intention of causing… unneeded difficulty or strain between our village's alliance. I simply… require to be there for the time being."
Silently, she mulled over his request. She knew he was more intelligent than to cause trouble in Konohagakure no matter what the reason. That was not what concerned her.
She trusted him.
Still… if he went so far to ask a favor from her, it must be somewhat important to him. But how was she…
Inspiration struck her.
Is it any wonder she was made Kazekage? She was pleased with the decision she had come to. They would both benefit from the outcome, she was sure.
"Yes… I think I can arrange for it to be done."
He looked away from the sand dunes to consider her carefully. Satisfied that she was serious, he cocked a brow at her, waiting expectantly for her elaboration. She graciously complied to answer his unsounded inquiry.
"Instead of having a group of sandnins go to Konohagakure every few weeks for several days at a time, I think it would be much more preferable to have one ninja posted in the village for a few weeks at a time. The said ninja would return to their respective village to hand in a report to their council before returning once more to their given post."
She looked at Gaara for approval of her idea. He simply looked at her, his face firm and his eyes pondering.
She was sure he would accept. He had his reasons to be in Konohagakure and she was giving him the opportunity to go and sort them out. She on the other hand, as Kazekage, was in no position to leave the village as easily so this would be a practical solution to the frustrating problem she has been facing for months…
"Think about it, Gaara. You will be able to stay in Konohagakure for as long as a month at a time before you returned to give a report to me or the council. Then you may go back to Konohagakure, if you wish. Otherwise, we could always send another sandnin to hold the position. This would put less strain on each village as we won't have to constantly look over our shoulders at the small platoon sent by each village. The ninja holding the said post would be as much a member of the community in broad daylight as the other ninjas of the village and would be easier to observe in comparison to a platoon constantly hidden in the shadows. They will contribute to the village by completing lower classed missions and perhaps even one or two higher classed missions if the village deems it acceptable…"
She paused awhile to allow him to process everything she said. "I shouldn't have any trouble getting Konohagakure's fifth Hokage to agree to such a proposal."
"Even if it is me you propose to hold the post?"
She smirked at him. Sometimes boys underestimated the ability and mind of a female. "Even if it is you, dear brother. She won't refuse you based on history alone. She knows better than others that one is not able to judge another individual based on their past alone." Temari reassured her younger brother confidently. She has corresponded with the fifth Hokage often and she was certain the proposition would not be rejected.
Gaara continued to stare. But his eyes were now filled with intent interest. It seems he has come to a decision. However…
"Won't you need the council's approval first? Even if you are the Kazekage…"
Again, she made a face at him. He was definitely annoying her. "They don't rule me you know. But since you brought it up… I will inform them of my decision later today. As you seem well aware of, they are far more comfortable having you away from the village than in it, so I very much doubt there will be much, if any, opposition from them."
"There is something in it for you. You are being much too accommodating not to be profiting from this somehow…"
Pursing her lips slightly, she didn't bother to deny his slightly teasing accusation. He was sharp and knew her well enough to know when she was hiding something. "Well… As long as we are both going to benefit from this harmless arrangement, I don't think there is any need for the other to be concerned as to the whys of it. Do you?"
He nodded at her in agreement. He turned to watch the landscape once more. "When do I leave?"
She smiled at her brother. "Dawn. I will have the proposal for the fifth ready for you to deliver then. She will send it back to me along with the leafnin they choose to post here. I will see you in a few hours."
Without a second glance, Temari took off for her office. Adrenaline rushed through her veins as she flew from roof to roof. This was going to be a very satisfying proposal indeed… Temari wasn't simply going to 'suggest' Gaara for the post in Konohagakure, she was also going to 'suggest' a particular leafnin to hold the post in Sunagakure whom she was fairly certain Tsunade would be agreeable to.
She was looking forward to seeing Shikamaru again…
On the roof of the old temple, Gaara mused over the sudden turn of events.
He had not truly expected his request to have been so easily fulfilled even if his sister was the Kazekage… But he was, admittedly, extremely satisfied with the outcome.
Dawn…
It was about 3 days journey to Konohagakure… He would have no trouble reaching there in as little as 2 days since he would be traveling alone…
Yes… He could feel his blood rushing as he thought of seeing the Hyuuga girl again.
Eyes…
His newly acquired post in Konohagakure was going to be very interesting… Very interesting indeed…
Patiently bidding his time, Gaara waited for the sun to rise…
--- o O o ---
Hinata couldn't sleep.
For the last three hours she has lain in her bed staring at the ceiling. Obviously, she wasn't going to be able to get any rest. It wasn't really surprising when she thought of what she was about to do.
Everything has been prepared over the last few weeks. Now she simply had to carry out the most daunting task she has ever had to do in her life.
She was afraid…
The clock continued to tick. The sound resounded in her ear as she waited…
Soon…
She couldn't back out now. It was too late.
Finally, the alarm clock rang. Hinata quietly turned it off and got up.
It was time…
She took her time showering and putting on her plain gray kimono. There was no rush. The seconds moved so slowly… Minutes seemed endless… Perhaps it was only because she wished it so…
She was ready.
Slowly, she turned to look at herself in the mirror of her vanity. She saw a pale, demure looking girl with milk colored eyes stare back at her. This girl was about to change the course of her future… Was she truly capable of such a feat?
She looked away.
It was time to go.
Hinata made her way quietly through the corridors of the Hyuuga house. It was terrifyingly silent. Even her footsteps made no sound.
As she approached the Hyuuga council room, she slowed down further, prolonging her arrival at the entrance of the room. She briefly studied the pattern on the opaque paper of the door wondering how such simple, bold strokes could come together in such graceful beauty. Hesitantly, she opened the traditional wood framed sliding door.
Several members of the Hyuuga council were already inside. It was only eleven forty five. A quarter to midnight. Evidently, they were curious to know what she had arranged by inviting them to the council room at midnight.
She smiled at them as she closed the door behind her and made her way to the front of the room. The floor in the front area of the room was slightly elevated in the center with a zabuton(1) placed directly in the middle. Usually, her father or other Hyuuga elders who called a meeting would sit there to address the council. For the first and last time, it was her turn to sit in this respected place and address every member of her family council.
She waited.
Breathing deeply, she closed her eyes and blanked out her mind. It would not do to become nervous from thinking too much before she spoke. She might stutter and that would only leave a bad impression.
She was unaware of how much time passed until she heard the grandfather clock strike twelve. She opened her eyes, taking in the scene in front of her. Almost everyone had arrived…
The door slid open.
She knew who it was without looking. He was to be seated directly in front of her. Nervously, she looked up.
Hyuuga Hiashi.
Hinata respectfully bowed her head slightly at her father as he sat on the zabuton set for him. She barely noticed the rest of the council members who entered after him or Hanabi who proceeded to sit beside him.
She surveyed the hall to ensure everyone was present. It was an unwelcoming sight.
Colorless…
The room was colorless. Emotionless white and black and grays were all she saw… No smiles or warmth. Just colorless kimonos and blank faces stared back at her. How had she ever survived in such a world? Was it any wonder no one ever noticed her? Her world had no colors to fill the void…
Hinata breathed in deeply to prepare herself for what was to come and licked her dry lips to moisten them. Her throat felt so dry…
"Why have you called us all here tonight, Hinata?"
Startled, she looked at the unexpected voice of her father.
"If this is about your 18th birthday tomorrow-" He stopped abruptly as he realized the slight mistake he made. "-or rather, today. Rest assured we have not forgotten."
They looked at each other. Hinata wondered if he would look at her with the same devoid eyes after all was said and done.
"As a matter of fact… It does have some relation to that. But that is not the main reason I have requested your presence here this evening, father." Despite the softness of her voice, every word she spoke echoed through the silent crowd. She lowered her eyes in a show of modesty and respect of her elders, but more than anything else, to calm her own quacking nerves.
"As you know, I am now 18. And in accordance to our family's traditions, I am to be officially named as the heiress and to begin to shoulder the duties expected of me until it is my time to guide the clan…" She paused. Swallowing with great difficulty, she forced herself to continue.
It was now or never.
"However, I will not be doing so."
If it was quiet before, then it was deadly so now. Hinata could have sworn that everyone present could hear her heart pounding in her chest.
"What do you mean by this, Hinata?" Her father's tone was devoid of emotion, but she noticed the slight clenching of his jaw. The very picture of serenity, Hinata looked into his eye and smiled.
"I mean, father, that I will not be the Hyuuga heiress." Looking towards the rest of the crowd, she addressed the elders as well as her father. "I am renouncing my birthright as the heiress of our clan. I know that most, if not all, of you have always favored Hanabi-sama and with good reason. So, I refuse to be trapped in a position which I am not qualified to hold when there is a better alternative. Another heiress. My sister."
Hinata refused to look at Hanabi. She couldn't afford to be distracted now. She could only imagine the look on her sister's face. This was not the time...
This time the silence was broken by another member of the room. A well respected female member of the Hyuuga council. "Hinata-sama, are you certain this is wise? You are not simply giving up your clan's heritage but also effectively be cutting your ties with the Hyuuga clan. Surely you realize that while you are not totally severing these ties, it is enough to no longer be acknowledged by the clan as whom you were before? Your lineage will hardly be accepted as a Hyuuga of the main or branch family since no heir has ever forfeited their birthright…"
The voices of agreement and persuasion of other elders could also be heard whispering in the back of the room. Her father said nothing.
Perhaps he truly does want her to stay…
"Yes Sempai, I am aware of the repercussions of my decision… But I am firm. I… I am not strong enough to carry the burden of this clan. I am not destined to lead our clan to greatness…" Suddenly her throat felt constricted. It was a familiar feeling.
She wanted to cry…
Forcing the knot in her throat, she continued. "It is too difficult for me… I am not destined for greatness…"
Hiashi stood up abruptly, cutting her off. Shocked, Hinata looked at him. He looked tense.
Then he spoke.
"What makes you think any of us are destined for such a thing? Do you imagine any form of greatness can be achieved without difficulty? Suffering?" He looked as though he had more to say but he clenched his jaws, as if holding the words he wanted to speak back physically.
Looking away in disgust, Hiashi walked out the room without looking back. His words resounded in the corridors as he walked further and further away from his daughter.
So be it…
So be it…
So be it…
Hinata sat there, not sure if she could believe what had just occurred. She had told them. She had finally freed herself from the Hyuuga family's legacy.
Finally, she respectfully bowed down to the floor to rest of the council elders and took her leave.
Her room seemed unfamiliar now. She looked around and wondered why she had never decorated it to her liking. The plain walls and unchanged furnishings all mocked her.
You don't belong here… You don't belong… You never belonged…
Now it was true.
The door burst opened and slammed behind her. Hinata could hear it, register it in her mind. But for some reason, she didn't move.
She was numb.
Hands grabbed her upper arms and roughly turned her around.
She looked at Hanabi's pale face, felt her clammy hands and listened to her ragged breaths… She felt sorry. Sorry for herself, sorry for the clan and most of all, sorry for her sister… But she had had to do it. She could not simply exist to be what was expected of her any longer…
She needed to live…
She didn't stop Hanabi as she shook her. Hanabi needed to let it out.
"How could you Hinata! How could you! Your leaving? You are just going to leave after everything? How could you! This is your birthright! Yours! Not mine!"
Hinata couldn't find anything to say. What could she say to console her sister? The person every member of the clan wanted to be the heiress. The person they had always secretly wished had been the first born.
"Hanabi…" She grasped Hanabi's arms and steadied herself. "Don't… Don't do this. You are the clan's heiress now. You have to be strong…"
"Then why couldn't you have been the strong one? Why didn't you stand up and take what was yours?" Angry tears filled the young girl's eyes.
"I can't Hanabi… I couldn't. I'm not strong enough…"
"Don't give me that! You don't think I feel your power? The strength you hide? Don't you think I am able to perceive the power you suppress in your body when you spar with me? When you hit me? I can feel the strength you refuse to release!"
Hanabi stared at her accusingly. Hinata let her go. What was she supposed to say?
Nothing…
"Just go Hanabi… Just go… There is nothing to discuss anymore… Father has accepted this and so should you…" She turned her back to her sister. "You will achieve and become everything I am not able to…"
"Fine! Leave! Leave like everyone else! I don't need you… I… I wont ever need anybody but myself!"
The door slammed behind her once again.
Alone…
No tears… She had promised that she wouldn't cry no matter what the outcome. She had to be strong now…
The knocking on her room door a few minutes later immediately distracted her from her packing. "Yes?"
Her father's servant peered inside hesitantly and informed her that her father requested her presence as soon as she was free. Hinata told him that she would be right with him and he took his leave to inform Hiashi.
Hinata quickly threw the last few things she wanted to leave with into her knapsack. She wondered if she should change back into her kimono before seeing her father. She looked down at her old jacket and pants then decided against it.
This was who she was.
Her father was looking out the window of his study when she arrived.
"Father."
He turned around and what Hinata saw unnerved her.
His eyes were filled with sadness.
"Hinata… I asked you to come because… because… I want you to know that I understand your decision. I accept it. Regardless of the fact that I am not happy with it… Not happy with the fact that I had driven you to this…" He rubbed his eyes before continuing. "I realize that I have not been the best father…"
"No…"
"It is true…"
"I… I don't think you have been a bad father… You… You were my father the only way you could be and that could not be wrong… It was not wrong…"
He sighed in frustration. "I would change things if I could. I want you to know that Hinata… I wish things were different. Your mother-" His voice broke with emotion. Hinata watched in fascination at the man whom she had thought was not capable of feeling any sort of emotion.
"Your mother would have been disappointed in me." He looked at Hinata, not really seeing her, lost in a past she was not a part of. "She was beautiful… You look like her. Everyday you grow older, you look more and more like your mother. Beautiful…"
He gestured at a box on his desk and turned towards the window again.
Puzzled, Hinata went to open the box. She had never seen it before. What was in it? Carefully, she opened it and looked inside. She gasped as she looked on what was the most beautiful kimono she had ever laid eyes on. It was every shade of lavender she had ever imagined possible, from the lightest almost undetectable shade to the darkest richest shade of lavender. The detailed decorations of silver arched bridges and light pastel plum flowers were scattered on every corner of the kimono and looked so perfect and fragile, she wouldn't have been surprised if they fell right off if she touched them.
"W-what is this?"
"Your Furisode Kimono(2). I was going to give it to you tomorrow before your 'birthright ceremony'(3) but it seems that there isn't going to be one now… It… it was your mothers…"
"It… It's beautiful… B-but shouldn't Ha-Ha-Hanabi get this… I… I am not the clan's heiress any longer…"
"It is yours. Your mother wanted you to have it…"
Hinata was stunned. She would never have imagined that her father would present her with such a beautiful and sentimental gift in her life. That it had been her mother's wish for her to have it. Her mother's furisode kimono…
"I also want you to know that I am proud of you."
Hinata was sure she would have fainted from pure shock if she hadn't been so shocked already. The tears she had sworn would not fall were now threatening to escape from the eyes.
"It… it is never easy to be a Hyuuga. Whether you were born to join the main or branch family. I know this well. My brother and I both… knew this well. But know this, even though you believe that you are not destined for greatness, you will be great. You will reach heights no other Hyuuga will ever dream of achieving." The reflection in the window pane looked at her as he spoke. "And it is because you are brave enough to thread upon the path that no other Hyuuga has ever dared to. You are freeing yourself."
"Th-thank you, father."
"Now go. You have a new life to live and it is not here." His reflection broke their gaze.
Hinata stared at the man who had never been her father in anything but name before this moment, tears hanging from her lashes, and wondered if she would ever understand him.
Uncertainly, she took the box containing her mother's – No. Her – Furisode kimono and turned to leave. Before she left, she looked back at Hiashi.
"Fa-Father… I am your daughter and I am still a Hyuuga. You are my father and that will never change… Pl-please take care of Hanabi-sama…"
She ran all the way back to her room, not wanting anyone to see proof of her pain run down her cheeks. She clutched the kimono box against her.
Mother's…
--- o O o ---
Gaara looked up at the waning moon.
It was almost completely dark save for the bit of light the moon reflected…
But not so dark he could not make out the Hyuuga girl's crouching form against the tree.
After her little announcement, he had kept close to her, anticipating her eventual departure.
He had just arrived in Konohagakure that evening around 5 o'clock and after handing Temari's proposal to Tsunade-sama, which she agreed to almost immediately, he was escorted to a comfortable apartment which he was to consider his own while he stayed in Konoha.
Shortly after he had finished exploring every inch of his apartment, he left in search of the Hyuuga girl. However, she unexpectedly elusive and he had not managed to track her down until later that night when she returned to her house.
At first, he as going to simply go into her room, invited or not. But something in the way she moved, the stance of her body, the look in her eye… persuaded him to be patient and wait a little longer.
He had already come so far and waited so long… A while more was not of consequence.
The evening took the most unexpected turn when she made her announcement to, whom he assumed were, her family's council members.
She had freed herself…
Yet now she huddled by a tree like a small child with her head on her knees and arms wrapped around herself. Her knapsack and parcel, almost as large as her crouching form, dwarfed her appearance. If he had not known better, he would have thought she was simply a random child crying over a broken toy.
But she was no child…
She was a woman…
A woman who had managed to enslave every moment of his solitude to nothing more than thoughts of her…
A broken woman…
Soundlessly, he jumped off the tree branch which he had been standing on and walked towards the sniveling form until he was right in front of her, barely two feet away.
"Hyuuga."
--- o O o ---
Hinata didn't want to lift her head.
She just wanted to sit there and cry and grieve. She had a lot to grieve for. Her dead mother… Her heritage… Her family and clan… A future that was not to be hers… A past that had not been…
She simply wanted to cry…
The voice was insistent though.
It forced its way through her tormented subconscious and relentlessly forced her to open her eyes to look at the man before her.
Gaara…
What in the world?
She wasn't sure how she could comprehend anything in her present state, but she knew that he shouldn't be there. He wasn't supposed to be in Konoha for at least another two weeks. Sakura had told her so.
Wiping her nose and drying her eyes quickly, she registered the absurdity of being concerned of how she looked to him. Her whole world had just been turned upside down, albeit by her own hand, and she was concerned how she looked in front of this sand nin.
"What are you doing here?"
She didn't stutter. Good. The first time they had met she stuttered like a silly school girl, no doubt making him think she was all sorts of dim-witted-twit's rolled into one. At least this time she won't embarrass herself the same way.
"I heard."
Her eyes swung away from the distant shrub to his face, her eyes wide with surprise. "Y-you heard?"
"Yes."
Hinata narrowed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously, unsure to believe him or not. "How?"
"I was on the roof."
"You still should not have been able to hear the gathering in the council room…" She trailed off uncertainly. Perhaps he had a method. "How could you have possibly managed it?"
Rather than becoming frustrated at her insistence, as she expected, his expression and eyes still did not change. They remained blank and shuttered. He inclined his head slightly and answered her.
"I have always been able to 'see' with my sand, using my uniquely created ninjutsu to make an 'eye'. I used chakra to connect the optic nerve to the 'eye' of sand I created. It is useful for spying. Recently, about a year ago, I began experimenting to create a jutsu that would allow me to 'hear' as well. I managed to form chakra that I could connect from my eardrum to a small flat surface of sand. I then position the sand somewhere where it is able to 'collect' the sound waves and send the vibrations along the connecting chakra to my eardrums. It is as though I am in the very room listening to you speak. Very simple and very useful for spying."
Despite his last statement, his expression showed neither guilt nor remorse over his obviously improper conduct. She didn't care.
By tomorrow evening, the whole village would find out what she had said and done, word for word. If Gaara was here, then he would have found out sooner or later. Either way made no difference to her and she was too emotionally drained to feel anything stronger than annoyed.
"One of us might have activated our Byaakugan and caught you on our roof eavesdropping on a private family gathering… That was terribly risky. You should have known that." She was too weary to continue preaching. She watched his hair flutter as the cold wind danced around them, finding herself enjoying the show.
His hair, the color of molten sand, fluttering around his head in the wind…
It just made her want to touch it.
But she wouldn't. Of course she wouldn't. The last time was disastrous enough to convince her never to attempt such a thing again…
Gaara simply shrugged and displayed no concern over the possibility that he might have been caught using his ninjutsu to spy on their gathering.
"How long are you going to stay huddled like a pathetic ball sobbing over something you chose to do?"
There was no expression on his face but the sneer in his voice grated against her nerves. What right did he have to scorn her when he had no idea how she was feeling.
And all he did was stare at her like some insect on the ground to be studied before being trampled on.
What Hinata didn't realize was how her eyes had flashed when he had sparked the anger swelling in her chest, and that they had transformed from calm milky orbs to transparent lavender pools of swirling emotions. Gaara was almost sure he could gaze into her soul if he delved any deeper.
Hinata stood up abruptly, angry that he was able to stand over her looking calm as ever after he had intentionally and successfully upset her.
Now the few inches of height he had over her made no difference to Hinata. All she knew was that he had no right to judge her. No right to stand over her. No right to look down at her. No right to question her grieving a life she chose to gave up.
He had no right over her period.
The words wouldn't come out. Everything she thought rushed through her mind as quickly as she could process. None could make it past her lips.
Tears welled up in her eyes again as she felt the frustration overcome her physically. It wasn't fair. She couldn't even tell this obnoxious male off because she didn't know how to speak her mind.
So she shoved him.
Or rather, she tried to.
Hinata's arms were braced against Gaara's chest, forcing her entirely body's momentum to push him back.
Nothing.
Gaara didn't budge.
That was the last straw. Groaning, she kept trying to push him backwards futilely. The tears streamed down her cheeks again. "WHY CANT YOU JUST MOVE!" She was so angry at herself and she needed an outlet. He was right here.
He didn't do anything. He didn't even his arms from his side to stop her useless efforts. He simply stood there looking at her.
Finally, exhausted, Hinata stood in front of him feeling defeated by her own weakness. She didn't bother to wipe her face. Who cared what she looked like?
"Why can't you just move out of my way…?" Slowly, Hinata let her hand wander over the cloth of his shirt. Beneath it, she could feel the barest trace of his warmth. Marvelling at the fact that this cold statue of a man could emit any warmth, her other hand slowly began to touch the cloth as well.
Then she felt it.
His body stiffened against her.
He was rejecting her touch…
Hinata looked up at him to see if the sudden conclusion she had come to was correct.
It was.
He glared at her, his eyes obviously warning her of the folly of her action, his lips pulled back to reveal his teeth and growl at her threateningly. But he was shaking. Very slightly. But she was sure it was there.
Fascinated, Hinata's hands continued to explore. The numbness was making easy not to think of how he was about to react. She had found his weakness… And it was a very enjoyable weakness for her to take advantage of.
She wondered what he felt like beneath all the layers of clothes…
Her hand reached the nape of his neck.
He pounced. He was shaking noticeably by now. His breathing slightly labored as he hissed through his teeth for oxygen.
"You are crazy Hyuuga. I had warned you once that you should never do that."
Hinata simply looked at his hands.
He wasn't hurting her.
She felt confused. Why would he be careful not to hurt her? He must have been more than capable of crushing her fragile bones yet he was barely putting pressure against her sensitive skin. All he was doing was holding her in place.
He hadn't hurt her the last time either.
"You aren't hurting me."
Gaara looked as though he was about to strangle her when she said that. "Hurt you? You want me to hurt you? I can kill you." He hissed fiercely.
"Then why don't you Gaara-sama?"
Hinata didn't bother to shield the emptiness in her eyes. Let him see the weariness inside her. The darkness. The loneliness…
Abruptly, he threw her hands down against her sides and reappeared 20 feet away from where he stood in front of her before.
"What is your name Hyuuga?"
She looked at him wondering if she heard him right. Her name?
He looked calm and collected once more. Not the man who had trembled uncontrollably from her innocent touch…
"M-My name..?"
He simply waited for the answer he wanted, his arms crossed at his chest, eyes shielded and hair unruly in the wind.
Hinata considered leaving quickly without answering him but then thought better of it. She knew his name. What was the harm of telling him her name? There was no danger in him knowing her name. And besides, if she chose not to oblige him, Tsunade-sama may become upset with her for not treating an ally with courtesy.
"It is Hinata… Hyuuga Hinata."
He did not so much as nod in her direction before disappearing in a small tornado of sand.
Hinata stood there for a few moments before collapsing. How was it that everything had managed to change in the span of a few hours?
Now was a time of changes in her life…
Nothing was going to be the same again…
Author
Note
(1) Zabuton - In Japanese, a zabuton (za, sitting + futon) is a cushion for sitting on. Zabuton are often used for sitting on tatami floors.
(2) Furisode Kimono - When a young Japanese woman turns 20 years old, she is recognised as an adult. Many parents buy the Furisode for their daughters to celebrate this significant point in a young woman's life. Furisode is a formal kimono for single women, it is brightly colored and made of very fine quality silk. In the very modest Japanese society wearing a Furisode is a very obvious statement. In the case of this fanfiction, I made it such that Hinata 'inherits' rather than receives a brand new furisode kimono AND I made it 18 rather than 20 years old. Why? Because I think in Konohagakure, 18 is old enough to be considered a fullfledged adult. If they old enough to kill in missions, they are adults in my opinion.
(3) Birthright Ceremony – A term I came up with to name the ceremony the Hyuuga have to "Officially" announce the next clan leader. This means that the person will DEFINITELY be the next leader. After the ceremony, the heir/heiress is officially accepting their 'birthright' and is groomed for his/her imminent succession as clan leader. I doubt such a thing actually exists in the Manga so please don't go looking for it
Follow Up Authors Note
LW : This Chapter is dedicated to briea22! I was so surprised when u messaged me but at least you pushed me :-P I hope you weren't toooooo tortured! So sorry for the wait! OMG! OVER A MONTH SINCE I LAST UPDATED! Please please please don't kill me! Seriously I will be good from now on! Just a lot of crap came up and loads of weird stuff and my life and college all somehow mushing together to make a weird crepe of crap… Okay. Not making sense any more. I just wanna say Im uber sorry for this long awaited chapter. Not the best I think but right now I think it about time I updated. Maybe I will take time to rewrite this chapter a little better later… Anyways I like how Hinata still has demons to fight despite releasing herself from her family legacy and wat not More realistic. Gaara becoming a little more love struck than he wants to admit… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! More drool worthy action to come I promise! I is ebil!
Hinata/Gaara : WHAT!
LW : Ehhhhhhhh…… I am innocent! Honest:runs off:
OMG! I never thought it would come to this!
When I originally began writing this fanfiction I hadn't expected more than a few favs and pity reviews! Talk about exceeding my original expectations! Geeezzzz! I am sooooo happy though! This helps reaffirm that I am good at doing something I love:hugs: Please continue to support me by dropping a little note and some feedback! A push always helps ne? ;-)
Kudari-Chan – Yeah it was wasn't it? But in the end, she had to make peace with the memory of a boy she didn't truly love. Otherwise it would be way difficult to move on ne? I will try not to be so angsty in future chapters. ;-) I have other plans for Hinata.
naash – Thank you! Its nice to know some people think my work is 'great' instead of just good. LoL! Sorry for taking so long in updating! Hope you enjoy this!
Rx79guntank – Hahaha! Thanks! I liked the 'ending' of chapter 3 too! And I wasn't angry at your comment la! I was just surprised that I have a 'standard' writing! hahaha! I think this chapter needs work but thanks for the comment! Btw! What you mean kill you in college? What blasphemy has Kenny been feeding you? Lies I tell you Lies! I did not do it! Whatever it was. Because I don't know what it was. Because I didn't do it. Yeah. Ok. See ya -.-
Juliagulia1017 – hahaha! Great to know that there is no longer confusion as to where Naruto stands in Hinata's affections. I apologise a gazillion times at how long you had to wait for this chapter! I think it started out ok but I kinda wish the ending was better. -- Maybe a rewrite in the near future. For now, hope it keeps ya hanging on! ;)
Captain jimmy – yeah chapter 3 was sad. I was surprised at the amount of torture I put poor Hinata through emotionally. :P I don't think I was much kinder in this chapter. Sorry! Do watch out for the next one. I will try not to make it too tear jerking. Thanks!
Kikei-kii – Thank You so much for the comment! Yeah I do try to keep it believable! It is tempting to just zoom past through the whole plot but I really want to try to make this fiction as lovely as possible since it is my first attempt at a proper chaptered fic. Hope you liked this chapter!
lordatomosk – Yup yup! I am surprised there aren't more! It seems a lot of GaaSaku fics! Well, I hope I am making a good contribution to this coupling! It needs more! Hahaha! Hope you liked this chapter! Will do better next one!
Chibi 1 – thank you for the support! Hope you liked this chapter! Please stayed tuned for the next one ok!
Maiyuko-Chan – eh heh heh heh :sweatdrop: There will be more fluff in the following fics! Now I can focus on their relationship in Konohagakure! I know a lot of fics LOVE transporting Hinata to Sunagakure but I thought it would be nicer if Gaara came to Konoha instead! I mean, a guy is supposed to go after the girl after all right! Stay tuned k! And thnx sooo much for the support!
Galance – Heeheehee! She is certainly getting attention from our little sand nin whether she wants it or not… Intriguing! Thank you for your concern! Things are better now. I hope you liked this chapter and will continue supporting until I post the next one! Thank you!
Shiz – awww… I hope it wasn't too bad. I tried to make it realistic so I guess some people might be able to relate to the chapter more than I realized. Anyways Hopes you like this one! Thanks for the support!
KUURI26 – hahaha! Oh my! Dilemma isn't it! Hahaha! Anyways sori abt the long wait for this chapter! Hope you will continue to support this fic! Thank You!
Namiko321 – Oh I am not THAT good! I am trying to improve (although it seems that I am getting worse! EEKS!) but yeah, I try my best :P Happy you are all no longer confused about Hinata's crush on Naruto. Please enjoy the rest of the story and sorry abt the delay in updating! Thank You!
Kya Jaganshi – Omg! Poor Gaara! Hahaha! Oh well:P Gaara will just have to be the 'good' guy here in my fic then. I am always happy to help non-gaara fans see the light! Hahaha! Please accept my apologies for the super late update but thank you for supporting my fic and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Bloodlustfreak46 – hahaha! I am happy you liked the previous chapters! And I am definitely going to try and incorporate that phrase in my fic somewhere! Hahaha! Thank You! Sorry for the terribly late update but enjoy!
Galaxya – Hahahaah! Thank you love! I appreciate every bit of support you give me! Im sorry again for the delay of updating but please continue to enjoy the story please! Thanks!
Cube – Why thank you! I love this fic too. It be my baby and I feal awful for ignoring it so long! It be needing a lots of love! And while I am utterly flattered at the offer for my hand, Im afraid I must decline until further notice ;-) :hugs: Thank you for the support love!
MorganPavil – LoL! Thank you for the compliment! Hope this fic provides you with the fix you need!
Nami-chan – Omg! Someone is making fanart for my fic! Amazing… Thank you so much for the amazing support! Im touched and flattered! Hope you aren't too pisssed at me taking so long to update! I be good now! Pwomiss!
TsukiKunai – LoL! You are soooo sweet! I hope I didn't upset you too much by taking so long to update! I promise to be better:hugs: And thank you Kawaii for that sweet comment Im sure TsukiKunai will eventually allow you to 'party' if you asked really nicely and promised to behave ;-P Good luck! LoL! Thanks so much for all the support babes!
KyuubiPandoraChan – Hee hee! Thank You so much! My ego is so big with compliments like these! I will try to continue to improve! I hope I am not getting worse though it seems I am… Please don't be mad at my late update! Im SUPER SORRY! Keep supporting the story cuz I love u for it:hugs: Thank You!
Demeterr – Awww! Im touched you think my fic is so good! Im trying not to disappoint! Do keep reading! I wont be soo long to update any more! I promise! Do enjoy! Love, me. LoL!
Kitty demon – CHOCOLATE COOKIE:pounces: OO Cookie! Thank you so much for the idea! Definitely noted and hopefully used in a future fic ;-) And of course I will give you credit! LoL! Thank You soooo much for the marvelous support and please continue to read! I try not to be so long in updating any more!
iLychLuna – Oh MY! Such lovely feedback and enthusiasm! Thank You So much love! I try to keep things as realistic and close to their personalities as possible I too don't feel comfortable with major personality turn overs or out of character (in my opinion) situations. Please accept my sincerest apologies for taking so long to update but I hope you still enjoyed this chapter and will enjoy the future chapters! Thank You! P/S:I will definitely gift you all with more Gaara/Hinata fics:P I gotta work on em and my Kiba/Hinata fics too! LoL!
xHonokax – Hahaha! Thank you for the compliment! I hope it continues to live up to your expectations:) Sori for the LOOOOONG wait but I promise it wont happen again! Keep up the support:hugs: Thank YoU!
Sunnydayz0691 – Thank You! Such lovely one words those are:P Really hope those words stay applicable throughout the whole fic! Will do my best! SOOOOOO SORRY for the super long wait for this chapter but I hope you continue to love and support it! I will not take as long to update next time! Sorry! Thank YOU!
AnimeGirl2006 – And here it is (finally!)! Sorry for the long wait! Please enjoy!
Kakashilover13 – Hahahah! I find Kuuri26's enthusiasm charming! LoL! Its harmless anyways ;-) Glad u like the fic! Sorry for the long wait! Hope you continue to enjoy and support it anyways! Thank You!
Gaara'sOtome – Then wat is this chapter SUPER LONG! Too make up for my long time non-update status! Sorry! PLZ continue to support it! I love you for it! Thank You!
Ichigopop – LoL! And I shall continue to do so! Sorry for taking so long! Please support and enjoy the fic anyways! Thank You!
Dreaming-freak – Yeah! But it makes the story flow much nicer ne? And I don't like Naruto/Sakura couplings either! Ewww But somehow they fit in this story so fine They can have each other. Blah! Hinata too good for him anyways! LoL! Sori you had to wait so long love! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please continue to support the fic:hugs: Thanks!
looSUrxinxDiego – Yes she is adorable isn't she? I sure do hope Gaara deserves her! ;-) We will just have to wait and see ne? Sorry for being so late to update! Enjoy!
budgiebee – As you wish! ;-) Sori for the late reply! Hope you enjoyed the fic anyways! Please keep supporting it too! Thank You!
Neurotic.Engel – Ohhhhhhhh THANK YOU! I must thank you for your thoughtfully written review! Im so happy to know my efforts are so appreciated and highly regarded! I shall endeavor not to disappoint you! Please enjoy the story! Sorry for the delay!
BlueQuartzFoxie – LoL! As you wish my lord! Accept my humble apologies for the lateness of this chapter! Please savour and enjoy it until I present you with the next delicacy:bows: Thank YoU!
Plummet – ohkay! Good to know I 'saved' this coupling! LoL! An exaggeration but still good to stroke my ego with :P Thank you for pointing that out! I never knew that OO I will incorporate it in the future! This chapter has not been proofread so yeah I will keep that in mind for the future chapters though! Thank You! Sori for waiting for this chapter so long though! Thanks for the support!
NarutosMego – Thank You! I didn't want to just put in some nonsensical analogy so yeah! Im glad it didn't go unnoticed! Thank You sooooo much for the amount of support you are giving me:hugs: I love Gaara and Naruto and Hinata too! LoL! But I love Gaara/Hinata couplings more! Hahaha!
CelestialGlowEquivalence – ne? What was 120 words? LoL! Sorry for the late reply! Please continue to support my story! I promise I wont take so long again! Thank You! Hope you like this chapter even if it was kinda rushed!
Yuki'slover – Thank You for your comments! Im happy you liked it sooo much! LoL! And ummm Sasuke didn't die love. OO Sasuka killed orochimaru infront of Naruto (In this fic anyways). Sorry if I wasn't clear! I will try to clean up the chapter! Sorry for the long wait for this chapter! I wont take so long next time! Enjoy! Thank You!
MasterChimChim – Sorry you had to wait so long for it! Hope you continue to enjoy and support this fic! Thank You!
NightBeauty – Oh my! No no no! LoL! I just added the Hinata-beat-ino and sasuke-kill-orochimaru plots myself. The manga hasn't even gone so far as to 'reveal' grownup sasuke yet! Im waiting! LoL! And yeah, the anime is filler till now (179) but it will be continuing the manga soon! I hope they do Kakashi's childhood flashback! ;-) Sorry u had to wait forever for this chapter! Please enjoy! I wont take as long in the future! Thank You!
Rynx-Too-Genki – I have to tell you I am as surprised as you are! I didn't expect it to be as popular as this when it began! I hope I don't let you all down! Please enjoy! I will not take as long to update next time! Thank YoU!
Gaara-Kun – Yes I must conclude the other story I have lined up then I can post it here. First I want to settle my Kiba/Hinata and this story though Then it will be less hectic! LoL! Hope u enjoyed this chapter! I promise my next chapter wont be as long awaited! LoL! Thank You!
Meadowcroft – Thank YoU! Sorry you had to wait so long for this chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! I will keep trying to get better! Thank You!
1337m3 – Im sorry she isn't happy yet! Maybe soon ne:P Please continue to read and enjoy my fic! Im sorry it was such a long wait for this chapter! Thank You!
Baka'sAngel – Your wish is my command! ;-) Enjoy! Sorry for the long wait! Next chappy be out sooner! Thank You!
SsAnImE – Hahahaha! This is one of my most beloved odd couples! I just adore Gaara/Hinata! It is only fitting they have a wonderful story! Im so happy I didn't disappoint! I hope I keep this story 'amazing'! AND I certainly hope you continue to enjoy and support my fic after such an inconveniently long wait! Thank You:-D
Faerie-killer – LoL! I know! He isssss sooooooo smexy! I lub Gaara! X3 And I will definitely write a few fics where he is the Kazekage in the future! Thank you for the marvelous support:hugs: Sorry for the super long wait of this chapter! Wont be so long next time! Thank You again!
Railey – Yeah They are aren't they! LoL! I am so happy I made a believer out of you ;-P LoL! Please continue to support and enjoy this fic despite my late update! Thank You!