Thanks for all the reviews. You reviewers and readers are the best. I am always worried that you will get fed up and be done with this story, but I just have to finish it like this because its really putting me outside my comfort zone and challenging me as a writer. Probably challenging me to much put I have to complete it. Thanks for your support!
She was practicing her walk. It was something the Kazekage insisted she get down. Her shuffling walk and bowed head was another irritation to him and he was firm on her caring herself with self-esteem, and pride that any Kages wife would show.
This was her third procession around her husband's office, shoulders down, back straight, head held high, chin out, book properly placed atop her dark mass of hair. It was beyond humiliating, it was degrading. She didn't feel like a wife. No, she felt like another one of his special projects.
Again, she walked the length of the room a little faster than last time but she forgot to keep her chin level with the floor, the book slid off, hitting the wooden floor with a loud thunk.
Turning around she met the icy green gaze of her husband and offered him a weak smile. He regarded her for a moment than his lips twitched up.
"Tell me how you got that scar?"
The question threw her off. Without thinking she slapped her hand across her neck in an automatic reaction. Fingers curled around the ribbon and beneath to the raised flesh of the scar. Hideous, a grotesque wound that would forever mark her. He was watching her so closely she could not very well lie to him. But she could stretch the truth.
"A-a- accident," she murmured lowly. "A mission went terribly wrong."
"I see," Gaara commented as he rose to his feet and walked around his desk. "If it wasn't for a necklace you'd be dead."
"Correct," Hinata replied as she watched Gaara stand in front of her. He casually leaned against his desk and surveyed her once more.
"Then why is that necklace now adorning the lovely neck of your sister?" Gaara mussed as he drummed his fingers across the desktop.
Unease ran down her spine at the conversation and his inquisitive questioning.
"It is an h-h-heirloom, passed down from generation to generation," Hinata paused as she tried to think. "It was Hanabi's t-t-turn to wear it."
"You take turns than?" Gaara asked than continued, "It reminds me of a story Temari told me as a child. Maybe you heard of it?"
"I am sure I have not," Hinata said with an edge to her voice.
"I will tell you it than," Gaara's eyes were intent as he continued. "As we all have known from childhood gods are selfish and egotistical."
"Kind of like the Kages," Hinata interrupted than promptly blushed at how rude she had just sounded.
The corner of the Kazekage's lips actually twitched with amusement. "In a way are not the Kages put into power by the gods themselves?" The question was rhetorical. "One such god became unusually attached to a pair of mortals, so much so that when the woman fell ill and life was ebbing from her very body the god gave the man a dagger that could not kill, and words that could only be used to the one he loved. It had to be a true love or the words would fall on deaf ears and the dagger would kill instead of heal. Alas the man loved the woman and saved her, they could live out the rest of their days together." He paused again as if to reevaluate how she was taking the story before continuing. "The problem is once a god gives a gift he can never take it back and once the gift is talked of everyone wants it. Soon the gift is lost and the true meaning behind it is no longer being used."
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she made eye contact with Gaara, it was as if he could read her mind. Her first thought was he knew, the secret was out, she had failed, so she scoffed at him as if he spoke nonsense when in reality he spoke the truth.
"Fairy tales are just that…tales of make believe,"
"Yet we religiously keep them alive by passing them down within our families," Gaara paused. "Carefully preserving the story word for word so that the next generation can carry on where we left off."
Hinata kept silent staring at him in anticipation for what he might say next. Thankfully there was a disruption in the hallway right outside the door. The doors flew open and Amun dragged Yaoki through. She took the moment to change the subject.
"You should walk your dog yourself," Hinata spoke out knowing from past experience with the Kazekage that if she pointed out what he was doing wrong he would grow irritated and irrational.
Everyone in the room froze at her lack of respect. Gaara's eyes widened at her brassiness while Yaoki was swallowing down his anxiousness. Amun completely unaware of the tension in the room was sitting there tongue out eyes bright as he looked from one person to the next.
"I'll take that into consideration," Gaara mussed softly taking everyone by surprise that he hadn't grown indigent. "However, only if you accompany me."
Hinata was somewhat surprised at his willingness to be kind so she gave him a smile.
"So that you can practice walking with dignity and grace," Gaara continued his lips teasing up ward as he picked up the book off the ground. "With the book upon your head."
Yaoki snickered in the back ground, while Hinata looked at Gaara with rage in her eyes.
"That is not funny," Hinata snapped out as she snatched the book from his hand.
She watched as Gaara took hold of the leash and followed her out into the hallway and then into the gardens. They were silent for a moment Gaara had unhooked the leash and Hinata stood flipping the book between her palms, puzzled by the Kazekage's strange since of humor.
"Well go on," Gaara ordered.
Hinata glanced at him and noticed the amusement dancing in his green eyes.
"Start walking,"
She stiffened, "I'm not a dog."
Her retort was pretty snotty and he must of got the hint for he offered her his arm and started a leisurely stroll through the greenery with Amun running around in front of them.
"I noticed that when you conduct yourself in my present that you have certain mannerism that give yourself away,"
Hinata's fingers clenched at his arm and she pressed a finger against her lip.
"Like this posture for instance," Gaara began. "The position of your hand in front of you shows your trying to protect yourself from others."
Hinata immediately dropped her hand.
"I also noticed that when you're lying or stretching the truth your eyes fall to the left,"
This sounded all together too familiar to what her cousin had said to her during the chunin exams so very long ago. Then she recalled that Gaara had been there, that he no doubt heard the entire exchange between Neji and herself. The sudden realization made her smile.
"So I have not improved since then?" Hinata asked with mirth in her voice.
"I fear you've become worse," Gaara replied in all seriousness, yet his eyes betrayed his amusement.
"Oh dear," Hinata whispered out in mock horror. "Whatever should I do?"
In all seriousness Gaara turned to her, "Don't hide yourself from me, your scars are beautiful, and you should never have to lie to me or stretch the truth in my presence."
He took the book from her numb fingers. "I only do this to give you confidence and to make you stronger. Being the wife of a Kage is not fun, the pressures and responsibilities we will face are daunting."
"I understand," Hinata replied.
"Secrets can be our undoing," His eyes were once again inquisitive.
It was like he already knew all the secrets she was holding from him. But was giving her a chance to tell him all. She stood between a rock and a hard place and she fell back into her usual habit.
"I have no secrets from you,"
Fortunately, Amun began barking and Gaara looked away just as Hinata's eyes lowered and slide to the left.
Ch 6
Gaara watched her closely. Long black hair shimmered with silken green leaves that were fastened in her thick locks of hair. Why it irked him he didn't really know, it felt like she was making a statement with her green leafed hair and dark blue dress. Did she purposely powder her face and neck white to hide her sun kissed skin. His green eyes narrowed, it was like she was rubbing in his face that she didn't belong in this desert heat that she belonged to Konohagakure.
Before he could suppress the urge he reached out and plucked one of the leaves from her hair and watched with satisfaction as the coil of black hair fell from its hold to land across her shoulder. Hinata automatically reach up a hand to pat her hair while turning accusing eyes on her husband. Gaara smirked as he twirled the pin between his fingers watching the green leaf dance around.
"What is this?" Gaara asked his voice cool.
"It is a hair pin I am sure you have seen them before," Hinata snapped back impatiently.
"You know what I meant," Gaara snapped out his fingers effortlessly bent the pin between his fingers. "Why do you have your hair littered with green leafs."
"Green looks good on me," Hinata snipped back as she plucked the pin from his hand and re-bent it back into position.
"Green is not your color," Gaara rasped out.
Hinata raised one of her slim eyebrows at him in question.
"Lavender is your color," Gaara continued, he reached out his hand and wiped his fingertips across the side of her neck smearing the white powder on his fingers. "From now on you will not cover your skin with this hideous residue."
"You know nothing of cosmetics, the powder covers blemishes, irregularity in skin color and..."
"And scars?" Gaara whispered menacingly. "Is that why you wear it, to cover this?"
Gaara reached out a second time dragging his fingers across her neck wiping more of the powder away. He was surprised to feel the increase in her pulse as he touched her. Was she just as out of breath as he felt when he touched her skin?
"Stop it," Hinata seethed through clenched teeth as she closed her fingers around his wrist and stilled his hand. "I wear powder to cover the scars."
"Be proud of them."
"Proud of them?" Hinata laughed out bitterly. "Proud of scars like how you are oh so proud of that damn tattoo on your forehead?"
"I will live the rest of my days with this symbol I am not ashamed of it."
"Of course not, you put that tattoo there, I didn't put this on my neck," Hinata hissed. "Scars diminish a woman's beauty, no woman wants that."
"When did you become so vain?" Gaara asked in anger.
The tension between them was strong. Gaara had the urge to drag her upstairs to their room and dominate her. Show her who was the master in their relationship, that even though he let her leave for the summer estate and rule herself, that was not the case here. In Sunagakure he was master, and she was nothing but a possession of his to do with as he pleased.
"How was your soirée?" Gaara asked changing the subject.
"I'm sure you know all about it," Hinata retorted snidely with a pointed look across the room.
Gaara followed her gaze across the room. In the corner stood Matsuri chatting quite happily with Kankuro no doubt about her genin team or some mission she completed above average.
"You think you know all." Gaara mussed dangerously next to her ear. "You are quite naïve."
"I am not stupid," Hinata hissed lowly.
"Watch it," Gaara warned his hand closed around her upper arm as he pulled her closer. "Don't look so irritated with me in public."
Hinata took a deep breath and placed a bright smile on her face leaning in to him as if they were having an intimate moment.
"I see the way she looks at you,"
"Your delusional," Gaara stated. "Your anger and hatred toward me is understandable but Matsuri has done nothing to deserve your ridicule."
Hinata's smile deepened and she placed her hand over the side of his neck her fingers laid strategically over his carotid artery. Gaara found himself staring into lavender eyes that were slowly turning white as the Byakugan began to manifest itself. The soft drumming of her fingers was starting to shoot involuntary muscle spasms down his side. He could feel the hot glow of her chakra that surrounded her fingertips.
"I believe your carotid artery is right about…" Hinata whispered in a chilling voice as her fingers began taping sporadically around right until her pointer finger jabbed into the artery making him flinch. "there. Does that hurt?"
Gaara stiffened, "That is enough,"
"It hurts doesn't it, hurts knowing that I have the power to send you into intense pain," Hinata's breath fell across his neck as her lips grazed his skin. "Now you know the pain I go through seeing the way you two carry on."
Gaara reached up and grabbed her hand in an intense grip bring it away from the side of his neck. "I will not defend myself to your delusional fantasies. You are so deep into your own secrets that you make things up form thin air."
Hinata blinked deactivating the Byakugan, before they could continue, Naruto appeared in all his black and orange glory. He placed a friendly arm around the Kazekage's shoulder and smiled into his face.
"Wonderful shindig Gaara, everyone is really enjoying the relaxation after an entire day of arguing and fighting over trading routes and such."
"I am pleased to hear it," Gaara replied blandly.
Naruto smiled as he took in Hinata's appearance. "My don't you look hot Hinata."
Hinata stiffen slightly and place a patient smile on her face.
"Hokage that is most inappropriate. For all you know Gaara could be a very jealous husband that would beat me if a man says such a thing in his presence," Hinata rebuked.
Gaara rolled his eyes knowing how childish an action it was and sipped his chilled green tea. His wife the wounded helpless woman married to a monster like him, she played that card so well. No one would have guessed that a moment earlier she had threatened his life. Naruto looked a little uneasy with her statement.
"If you will excuse me I must mingle with the guests," Hinata stated sweetly. "That is of course why I am present to see to their every need."
Gaara didn't respond as he watched his wife flit away into the group of people. He absently wiped his white powdered fingertips against Naruto's black robe thus placing a white streak across the garment.
"What the hell Gaara," Naruto cried out in anger staring down at the white powdery stain.
Gaara smiled to himself as Naruto had himself a little fit. At least he could gain some pleasure out of this boring evening activity. Naruto settled down and turned a serious gaze on his fellow leader.
"You're not happy with her are you?" Naruto asked his face was full of concern.
Gaara stared at Naruto for a long moment.
"Gaara you need to forgive and forget."
"You sound like my older brother," Gaara sneered.
"Time heals all wounds," Naruto replied trying to be philosophical.
"If that were so, than you would have put aside your difference with Sakura and pardoned her for her unfaithfulness," Gaara pointed out cruelly.
"Damn it Gaara my situation was different than yours," Naruto growled lowly "Hinata would never be unfaithful to you."
Gaara looked away realizing how he had hurt his friend. Naruto's blue eyes shimmered with anger and hurt. The Kazekage had successfully brought back a year's worth of pain and suffering with just a simple sentence Gaara knew how it had hurt Naruto when he had found out that Sakura had been unfaithful. The Hokage had been devastated that the love of his life the woman who could do no wrong in his eyes had hurt him in such a way. Gaara had heard through Temari that Naruto had offered Sakura her freedom, an annulment of their marriage. Sakura had refused on account of Minato, they would stay together because of the son they had.
Gaara admired Naruto's steadfast integrity regarding Sakura; Naruto never brought up the incident except to Gaara on rare occasions when the weight of the world was too much for the Hokage to bear. And Gaara being a good friend listened knowing full well that Naruto was still deeply hurt even if he hid it so well from everyone else. If it had been Gaara he would have sent the pink haired harpy packing and taken full custody of the child. As Kages they had the power to do such things.
Gaara stared at his wife with the grim realization that Hinata would never be unfaithful. Not because she respected her husband but because it was demeaning to herself, her clan, and her spotless reputation. Above everything Hinata held her reputation as her prized possession. Maybe she had a bit of fear for what Gaara might do if she did become unfaithful her previous statement alluded to the fact that she was slightly uneasy.
"Naruto are you feeling alright?" Sakura's voice questioned from beside Gaara.
Gaara watched Naruto put on a bright smile.
"Of course Sakura, just a little tired from a long day," Naruto lied easily through his teeth.
Gaara could see the pain in the Hokage's blue eyes as he looked at his wife.
"Maybe we should retire for the evening," Sakura suggested taking her husband's arm.
"I will follow you shortly," Naruto said pleasantly.
Sakura hesitated, her green eyes regarding Naruto for a moment before she kissed him on the cheek, turned a wary glance at Gaara and walked away. Gaara smirked inwardly Sakura knew that the Kazekage hated her for what she had done to his friend. She knew perfectly well that Naruto and Gaara told each other almost everything and that Gaara had advised Naruto to get rid of her.
"I make the best of a rotten situation Gaara. I do so for my son so that he will grow up with a Mother and a Father and I believe in time I will forget. That in time I won't worry that Sakura would pull such a thing again," Naruto began his voice hard. "Be thankful you have a wife that has stayed true to you."
"Be thankful that you have a son," Gaara replied evenly.
"I do so every day, my friend," Naruto whispered.
They parted ways down the hallway, still friends even after Gaara's cruel remark and Naruto's lecture on being thankful for what you did have in life. Gaara's feet led him to the family suites. Until he was standing before the door that was always locked, his fingers dipped into the pocket of his robes until he located the cool metal of the key. Withdrawing the key he stared at the door took a breath and inserted the key. There was the metallic click and the door swung open. The room was dark the only light came from the moon that shined through the window. The room was empty save for the humming bird crystals that hung from the mobile attached to the ceiling; it sparkled in the dark room as the moonbeams hit it. One single piece of furniture was in the room; a rocking chair sat in the corner looking out the window alone and forgotten.
Moving across the soft carpet he picked up the blue blanket from the rocking chair and sat down. He didn't spend much time in the room, because it brought back memories, of happier times, of laughter and smiles. Gaara glanced at the window and spotted the small wooden hand puppet doll on the window sill.
Items held memories, just like people did. They evoked emotions and feelings of things in the past. Although he had gotten rid of everything that reminded him of the past but he couldn't part with these three items. It was his way of punishing himself for what happened in the past.
...
There was a clear distinction of who was in control. The placement of the desk, the height it sat at, the angle of the chair, even the lighting of one candle that burned to the side. It was a power play and she was irritated by it. The Hyuuga reclined against a mass of silken pillows a well manicure hand laid on top of the rich oak of the table. The light melodic strain of music echoed throughout the room. Temari visibly frowned at the young woman who was playing the Hocchiku. The vertical bamboo flute held gently in the woman's capable hands as she played the instrument.
"Is this really necessary?" Temari questioned, after several minutes of enduring the little show.
Neji didn't acknowledge her question. Instead he raised a hand for silence, his closed eyes and relaxed his face showed how thoroughly he was enjoying the music. Temari bristled under his action and gave a huffed sigh of irritation. They were supposed to go through the list of indiscretions against the Lady Hinata. But at the rate this was going they would never get to the subject.
She was beginning to think the Hyuuga heir was soft, that he enjoyed his creature comforts too much. None of her family went to excess like the Hyuuga did. Maybe Gaara did but he was the Kazekage, and most of the comforts he invested in were lucrative money well spent. One big difference was Gaara never laid around like this, indulging in beautiful woman to sing and play music for him or laying around on silken throw rugs and pillows wasting the day away.
Her thoughts were disturbed as Neji's deep voice broke the silence.
"That was exquisitely done,"
The woman rose from her crossed legged seat and bowed low, her rich dark black hair cascaded around her shoulders. As the woman straighten she gave a beguiling smile.
"My lord will you need my presence tonight,"
Temari blanched at the woman's question. It wasn't just the inquiry, it was the way the woman said it, the look in her dark eyes, the curve of her lips, and the revealing stance of her body. Like any man confronted with a beautiful woman the Hyuuga gave an appreciating look.
"I will indeed," Neji practically purred the statement out.
The woman's smile broadened as she walked out of the room and Neji's eyes followed her.
"Are you ready?" Temari asked.
Neji turned an amusing gaze on her.
"I find it beneficial to clear one's mind before beginning such a serious discussion,"
"Really," Tamari drawled. "You find it necessary to have a beautiful woman distract you every morning before you begin the day?"
"I find music helps clear the mind of any preconceived notions," Neji actually smiled at her. "You wouldn't want me to be biased over these charges would you?"
"I assumed you had enough wisdom to judge these charges with fairness in mind," Temari grounded out.
Neji's smile widened putting Temari in mind of a cat that ate the bird. "How wrong you are, you see, Hinata is my cousin, and by default I will always take the side of family."
Temari glared at the man, "Than by your own words so will I."
"How was your talk with the Nara,"
Temari looked up in surprise at the Hyuugas question. He was changing the subject again but she wanted to tell him how it went.
"It went rather well," Temari replied softly.
"He is engaged to the heiress of the Yamanaka clan,"
"I am happy for him, Ino will be good to him, and she will keep him in his place,"
"It took him a long time to get over you," Neji paused. "I am beginning to think the people of Sunagakure are heartbreakers."
"My family needed me," Temari snapped back. "My brothers are all I have, any man in my life must know that."
"Your brothers are grown men with wives of their own they do not need their big sister running to their rescue," Neji pointed out with blunt honesty. "Do you honestly think the Kazekage and his wife are the only ones to have suffered a loss in their family?"
Temari was silent; everything the Hyuuga said was very true. It was like she didn't trust Gaara to take care of his personal problems himself she couldn't forget the past. Gaara would always be unstable in her eyes and any emotional strain put on him could be the straw that broke the camel's back. So she ran to his rescue whether Gaara asked for her help or not she came and she tried to fix things. Just like now, she was trying to fix things. In a way she was ruining her brothers.
"I'm trying to fix this," Temari tried to explain.
"You need to understand that your presence here will not fix this, you're in a sense, breaking it," I grim look formed on Neji's face and he finally asked. "Shall we begin?"
Temari watched as Neji unrolled the scroll. She observed him intently, but his face gave nothing away.
"Ah the first disobedient act," Neji mussed with hidden sarcasm, "cruel and abusive treatment."
Neji looked up at Temari with a raised eyebrow and a glint of amusement in his dark lavender eyes.
"For some reason I find it hard to picture my petite cousin being cruel and abusive to the Kazekage?" Neji actually smirked. "Hinata is not a violent person"
"Cruel and abusive encompasses a broad field," Temari replied tightly. "For instance, abusive speech, malicious behavior resulting in cruel intentions"
"So my quiet, calm cousin has been using obscene language toward her husband,"
Temari bristled as Neji gave a deep throaty laugh.
"I have witnessed several of her abusive speech and cruel behavior toward the Kazekage,"
Her tone of voice and look brought Neji to attention and he leaned forward a menacing snarl on his lips. "Your behavior the past day has shown that your family has a problem with being civil and kind. I would not be surprised in the least if the Kazekage had provoked my cousin into such un-lady like behavior."
Temari didn't show her fear of him she met him face to face and snapped, "Is this how you want Hinata to spend the rest of her life, unhappy and spiteful?"
Neji was silent as he settled back.
In a gentler tone Temari continued, "I have heard Hinata say she hated him"
"I believe you were in Konohagakure when that incident took place,"
Temari glared fiercely at him for correcting her. Neji's smile was tight his eyes icy with controlled anger, and then with a very slight inclined of his head he continued.
"I will concede that they have both behaved in a detestable manner toward each other," he paused as he took a slow sip of his green tea before continuing. "Such behavior is not condoned in the Hyuuga clan, and upon hearing of his daughter's behavior Hiashi was firm in reproving her."
Temari felt compelled to admit that her younger brother should have known better also.
"It is never just one person's fault," Temari replied. "It takes two to make a relationship work, and if one person is selfish and the other shuts down things are bound to fall apart."
She could tell the Hyuuga approved of her answer, his lips curved upward, and she found herself giddy with excitement. It had been awhile since she had felt excitement over a look a male had given her.
"Shall we set that first offense aside and continue on to the next one,"
Temari nodded her head, was it just her or did his voice deepen. The light hearted atmosphere soon disappeared as he read the second offense. A thunderous look fell across his features.
"Downright desertion and abandonment?"
"Even you cannot reject the fact that she refuses to live under the same roof as her husband,"
"I will not deny the fact that the Kazekage sent her away to live at some god forsaken summer estate a good half a day's journey from Sunagakure,"
"It was a decision made on emotions, one that Gaara came to regret,"
"This offense is one that the Kazekage inflicted upon himself," Neji's eyes narrowed. "I hold the Kazekage in contempt of deserting his wife in her time of need."
"The Kazekage requested her return and she refused him,"
"I applaud her for her wisdom,"
"You encourage a wife to show such disrespect,"
"If my cousin felt that staying in confinement away from her husband was best I will not argue with her," Neji stopped and glanced down at the next offense. "You've got to be pulling me leg."
"I beg your pardon," Temari hissed indignantly.
Neji threw the scroll down on the table the noise echoed throughout the room. Temari felt the coldness crawl down her spine at the fury that was emanating off the man across from her.
"Impotency?" Neji snarled like some feral animal. "That is not only a direct insult upon my cousin but a slap in the face to the Hyuuga name."
Temari knew that last one was a spiteful thing to use against Hinata.
"Your family would sink to this level of cruelty is beyond astonishing," Neji's voice suddenly turned bland and emotionalist.
She watched warily as he stood and looked down at her. The killer intent was rolling off his shoulder likes waves off the sea, his face was unreadable but his stance said it all.
"You will have to excuse me," Neji began stiffly. "I am not feeling myself, I will bring what we have discussed to the councils attention."
Without another word he walked out. Temari didn't know what to do she should have felt elation but she felt sick to her stomach. On shaky legs she stood up and that's when she spotted it hidden behind a small potted plant but in view of where Neji had sat. With fumbling fingers she picked up the small portrait. The rough wooden frame felt familiar beneath her fingertips, it was the frame Kankuro had whittled.
The portrait of a small redheaded boy laughing in delight stared back at her. The picture blurred out as tears fell. Five years later and there was still pain and anguish.
