Good news I'm alive, though my laptop is not, and I didn't forget this existed. I've had a lot of changes happening in my life as well as some writers block. I have been trying to work on this and managed to create a couple of chapters that were discarded and one that will fit in later in the story. Also 1 Happy New Year to you too. I just got your message. Anyway I hope this will get things back on track.
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Hinata leaned again post. She took a few deep breaths. A strong presence caused her to lift her head. Lavender tinted eyes looked to the building across. He stood there arms crossed in front of his chest. In one swift movement he stood in front of her. A gasp escaped her at his speed.
"How do you find this training area?" His gruff voice filled the night. She blinked at him. "Do you have all that you require? I see the training post have been replaced and some of the targets."
"Oh yes." Hinata released a nervous laugh. " This will do fine for now thank you."
"How is your sunburn? I hope you are healing quickly." He asked looking closely at her face in the moonlight.
"It's fine. I really didn't need the day off but thank you for your concern." "The corner of his mouth turned up and then returned almost instantly.
"Good I apologies for what you will be walking into at work tomorrow. Asking Kankuro to cover for you for the day appears to have been an error in my judgement. I hope it won't take too much extra work to fix things. For someone who has to be precise with his placement in order to control puppets he seems unable to use that skill in other applications."
"I'm sure it's not that bad." Hinata turned away blushing at his closeness.
"Are you're alright? You seem red still. Though it is a bit hard to tell in the moonlight."
"I'm fine really." She made a small wave of her hand to reassure him. "Are you just getting in?"
"Yes I had to look over some documents Temari sent me for finalization. There were a couple of critics to some of the trails but I actually think the new route will be better for many traders both ways with a bit of road construction."
"Oh well that's good." She stared off at the moon. "From the meetings I've been a part of with my family I know there can be many obstacles. People will often refuse to compromise even if it benefits them."
"Do you miss them? Gaara asked. Hinata seemed surprised by the question.
"Yes a bit. I was never very close to my father. Much of my life I was a disappointment. Things changed a little after the war but still. I thought my sister and I were becoming close then almost a year ago now she wanted nothing to do with me. She would glare at me. Mutter insults under her breath. She's still my sister and I still love her. I just wish I understood why." Hinata trailed off.
"Is there anyone else you miss then?"
"I miss my former teammates terribly, as well as my former sensi."
"You're team was close?" He cocked his head.
"'Kiba and Shino were like the brothers I never had." A smile graced her lips. "They bickered like brothers too. We used train and sometimes just hangout together. They accepted me. They never thought I was weird or condemned me for being weak. Kurenai did her best to train us. She spoke up for me against my father when I was a genin." The smile slipped from her lips. "I'm never going to see any of them again am I." It wasn't a question.
"Though you are still restricted from traveling outside the village does not mean your teammates can't come to visit you if they wish. All they need is to request a visitors pass."
Wide pale eyes bore into him. "Do you mean it? I thought that at the trial you said…". She was stumbling over her words.
"No Hyuga is allowed but the leaf is still our ally. The other noble ninja are welcome here."
Her arms were around his neck before she realized what she was doing. His arms were frozen at his sides. She rose onto her toes. "Thank you." Her voice a warm whisper against his ear. Slowly tan arms encircled her. She leaned into him for a moment before releasing him. His arms withdrawing slowly from her waist. The small figure took a step back. A chuckle escaped her lips. "What is so funny?" The gruff voice asked.
"Well I just realized I kinda hit you with a spontaneous hug attack. I'm luck your sand didn't throw me halfway across the city or crush me into a pile of goo."
"It must not have sensed any malicious intent." He said in a serious tone. She smiled at him. They stood there staring at each other for a few moments the wind pushed her hair back from her face.
"I had better head to bed. Lots of work to catch up on. Good night Lord Kazekage". She bow to him. He inclined his head to her.
"Good night Hinata." He watched her jump from the roof. His hand slowly moving to touch his left ear.
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Hinata hummed to herself as she finished filling the last of the misplaced paperwork. It had taken three days and a couple of conversations with an embarrassed Kankuro to find and fix things. 'How he could mix up the files this badly in just one day?' She wondered as she walked back to her desk. 'I'm glad i was only out for one day. The office might not recover from a week in Kankuros hands.' A giggle escaped her lips. Hinata stopped as she reached her office floor. "Lord Kazekage is there something you need?" The redhead looked up from the photo on her desk.
"Do I have any meetings or other important business?"
"No meetings that I'm aware of today. You do have some missions to assign and I have the genin mission reports." He nodded to her.
"Please place the mission report folder on my desk and follow me." Hinata blinked before she hurried to due as bid. No words were exchanged as she reappeared from his office. Down the stairs they enter Baki office. "Baki, I need you to hand out the mission assignments today. The teams are listed at the top. I have other business to attend to. I will return later tonight."
"Yes Lord Kazekage." He stood and bowed. As he rose Hinata noted how he eyed her warily. They left the tower and traveled threw the town. People were constantly calling out to him. They stopped their daily tasks to acknowledge and bow to their Kazekage. As they approached the gates of the sand she could no longer contain her curiosity.
"Where are we going?" Pale eyes focused on the red locks ahead of her.
"We are going to finish your assessment since I have time." His reply. Hinata was a bit surprised by this. Last time there were a couple of weeks between her spars.
'I wonder who I'll be up against.' She thought. They traveled the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. Gaara stopped at a rocky area.
"Do you need a moment to prepare?"
"No I'm okay. Who is my opponent?" She asked looking around.
"You will be facing me."
