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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
Naruto had come back when she woke up again in the hospital to take her back to her house. As they walked, Naruto kept up light conversation, Hinata mumbled or answered with one word, she wasn't used to speaking directly to a man, especially not one as cheerful as Naruto. She took in his apparel, a bright orange jumpsuit that was tied at his waist, with a bright white shirt, a long swirl on the back. He was handsome, she acknowledged that, with his bright blonde hair pushed up by his Leaf Village headband. He was also really nice, on the way back to her apartment, Naruto made her stop in front of the grocery store as he went in and came back with both arms full of food. He had grinned and just mentioned how he couldn't let her get hungry again, carrying all of the bags himself like it weighed nothing all the way back to her apartment. After he had carried them inside and put them in the kitchen area, he asked if they could talk. They both sat down outside, watching the villagers from the steps of her little home.
"So," Naruto started, "You met the Kazekage?"
"Y-Yes." Hinata's cheeks started burning as the image of the handsome Kazekage came into her head, also thinking about how she had broken the law to see him in the first place. 'I had to, I had no other choice.' Hinata told herself.
"What do you think about the Kazekage?" Naruto tried again.
Hinata blushed again, could he have read her mind? "W-What do you m-mean?"
"Well, he's known as a bit of a tyrant around here. What do you think?" Naruto's eyes bore into hers, like he was trying to look inside of her soul. Hinata looked away.
"I-I don't really k-know him. B-But I-I don't think he's a tyrant." Hinata said quietly. She knew rumours could be untrue and hurtful, she wasn't going to add to them when she really knew nothing about the kazekage. Apart from the fact that he's handsome, Hinata blushed again.
Naruto seemed to think about this for a while.
"Gaara is… a strange fellow. He's very quiet and stoic. But he's fiercely loyal, and he tries to do the best he can. He hasn't been the best in the past but he has really tried his hardest to change, even if other people haven't seen that yet."
After getting over her shock at Naruto referring the Kazekage by his first name, Hinata remembered how he had helped her, gave her a job and stopped the marriage treaty, without her even needing to beg.
"I-I believe you." And she did. The Kazekage's eyes held warmth when they had looked at her, and even a bit of fear. Even if she didn't use her eyes to the best of their ability, they were still very perceptive. Naruto seemed pleased with her answer, a big grin covering his face.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, all my business here is done. I'll probably be back in a couple of weeks on more official business but until then I want to ask you a favour."
Hinata nodded her head.
"You start your job again tomorrow – if you're feeling up to it – and I want you to look after Gaara for me. He's a little rough but he's great once you get to know him, just make sure he takes care of himself." Hinata stared ahead as she took it all in, she was to start work at the Tower tomorrow and Naruto wants her to look after Gaara? Doesn't he have anyone else to do that? She barely even knew Gaara and she told Naruto this.
"It doesn't matter, please, just for me?" He put his hands together and bowed his head slightly.
"O-Okay. I'll take c-care of him." Hinata found herself agreeing. How she was going to do that, she had no clue, but she'll try her hardest.
"One more thing, Hinata. I'm friends with your cousin, Neji—" Hinata's eyes grew wide. Of course he'd know. He'd know about the Hyuuga's. " – I can keep your existence here to myself if you would like." Hinata let out a loud sigh of relief.
"P-Please don't tell anyone." Hinata asked of him. Naruto nodded his head and gave her another smile. "Okay, I won't. I've got to go now, I've got a date with a certain ramen store." He said as his stomach rumbled. "I'll see you again in the future, don't forget you start at six tomorrow!"
His grin was huge as he waved while he walked backwards, Hinata just watching him go.
He said he wouldn't tell anyone but she could still feel the strings of anxiety tightly strung in her stomach. Even though they had let her go before, they had told her to not let anyone see her, or they would have to take her back and deal with her. And if they learned that she had lied.. She shuddered. She wouldn't just die, she'd be tortured, humiliated and used as an example for the entire clan. Hinata felt sick, she started feeling a panicky feeling coming onto her and she knew exactly where she needed to go.
~~~
After Naruto had left, Gaara had gone straight to the little house hoping to meet Hinata. When she wasn't there he felt a strange pang of disappointment, but he figured it gave him time to think about things. Like how he was going to act tomorrow if she felt well enough to come, was he going to speak to her? Could he do it? Was he going to ask her about her life in the Hyuuga compound? He supposed he shouldn't, as he couldn't really say that Naruto had told him, and it would be strange to bring it up straight away. Damn. If it was a year ago, he wouldn't have gave a damn, he would have forced her to tell him everything. But now was different, he had changed. He wasn't going to revert back to his old ways simply because he was frustrated. He didn't know what it was about this girl, but he wanted to know all about her. "Maybe if I knew, then I'd be able to stop thinking about her," Gaara mused to himself, but also somewhere deep down he knew it wouldn't be that easy. No, she had intrigued him before Naruto had told him about her being from the Hyuuga compound. He supposed he should have known, but he hadn't really cared about anything before, and he was only just learning about the different kinds of people in his ally's lands. Now that he knew, however, he wished he had known before. Perhaps he could have helped her earlier.
Gaara shook his head, he wouldn't have. He knew that. But it doesn't mean he didn't wish it. Perhaps if he had made life easier in his own damn village, if he had paid more attention. All he could see in his head was a lifeless, deathly pale Hinata. He couldn't believe how his heart had somehow stopped beating when he recognised her. He knew he shouldn't wish her to come back here, it was obvious that it was his fault this happened. His fault for not caring more about his villagers, his fault for not going to council meetings, his fault for going anywhere near the girl. Even his touch had probably led to her collapsing. He stared at his hands, wishing for the image of blood to somehow wash clean but they didn't. It was in his pores, his memories. He could not take back the monster he knew he had been, he could only try harder to not become his father. He was not doing so well so far. He thought he was doing what was best for the village by leaving it alone, but he now knew that couldn't happen. He was going to have to face the villagers at some point.
As Gaara was musing, he heard the door creak open, a breathless Hinata falling onto the wooden floors. Immediately Gaara became panicked, was she okay? Had she collapsed again?
"What's wrong?!" He asked, panic lacing each word. Every second she didn't reply his panic grew, until she lifted her head and smiled where she knew his voice was coming from. "Sabaku! You're h-home. I was h-hoping you were."
Suddenly it felt like all the air had left his body, as he sank into the leather chair in the secret compartment. It wasn't a lot of space, but it was enough, he only ever did his work here when he could sense someone coming into the area. He didn't understand how he couldn't sense Hinata, but he assumed it was because she is weak. He was surprised she had even come back.
"You are well?" Gaara asked, looking at the girl push herself off of the floor and wipe down her knees.
"Y-Yes I am. Even better now. I-I wanted some company." She said breathlessly, looking away with a red tinge coming into her fair cheeks.
"Ah, then welcome home."
He didn't know why he had said that. But somehow it felt right, and when he saw her eyes gleam with happiness and some tears, he wasn't going to take it back.
~~~
"I'm home." Hinata said. It felt like it had been so long since she had said those words, in reality it had only been about two weeks. Still, it felt right. This is what she was looking for when she felt those familiar signs of a panic attack, she had run here as fast as she could, hoping that Sabaku was here to help her feel safe again. She had almost felt the feelings envelope her before she came through the door, and then she heard his voice. His deep, calming voice, causing her to feel the warmth even inside of the cool house.
She walked over and lit the fire, preparing for the cold that was bound to seep through the walls as soon as the sun had set. Staring out the window she could see the fiery beginnings start to take place. They were so magnificent here, the purple skies mixed with the gold sand on the horizon, framed by large green trees. She didn't understand how there could be desert right next to a forest, but she didn't question it. In this moment, watching the colours swirl in the sky, she knew this was mystical land.
She started speaking while staring out of the window, her hands twisting in front of her, "I met Naruto earlier, the person I was supposed to m-marry."
"Hmm?"
Hinata breathed in, telling herself not to stutter yet again. "He was n-nice, we met in the hospital. I fainted because I hadn't eaten."
"You are well now?" Sabaku's voice came through, sounding almost concerned.
"Yes, I believe I am. Luckily someone found me when I collapsed, before any d-damage was done."
"That is good."
Hinata wrung her hands again, suddenly becoming nervous for the question she was going to ask.
"Did y-you find me, Sabaku?" She seemingly blushed, but it was hard to tell as the setting sun caused her to glow. She heard a strange noise from behind the bookcase, confirming her suspicions. "It w-was you, wasn't it?"
"I did find you, yes." His voice sounded breathless, as if it was somehow painful to speak. "I trust you were well looked after?"
Hinata sighed in relief, "Y-yes, I was. I'm glad it was you, Sabaku. Thank you for helping me again."
Gaara didn't think he should be thanked, it was selfish, him wanting her to live. When he had found her, the thought of not seeing her again had caused him pain. He had saved her because he wanted her to live, not as something that should be thanked. He was selfish, he didn't want to feel this pain.
Seeing her now, bathed in the glow of the sunset, a soft look upon her face, he felt his heart move again. He didn't know what it meant, but he knew that if he could never see her again he would feel that pain. Gaara didn't help people because they needed help, he helped them if he wanted to. If it affected him in some way. He couldn't change the way his mind worked in such a short period, he knew his own limits.
"What do you… do?" He heard her ask, tentatively.
"What do I do?"
"When you're n-not here, what do you do?
How did he answer this question without giving away his identity? He knew he could tell her, but sooner or later she'd find out about the demon inside of him and she'd run. Strangely enough, this thought caused him another stab to the chest. He didn't worry so much about other people, most of them knew and already made sure to stay clear, but she… She came right up to him. Treated him as an equal, made him feel almost… Human. It was an addictive feeling, not one he could ever remember feeling. This way, he thought, if she found out about who the kazekage was, but not him, she would continue coming here, coming home.
"I hide."
Her tinkling laughter gave him satisfaction, it felt almost natural when his lips slightly curved into a smile. 'Yes,' he thought to himself, 'this is what it feels to be human.'
"You hide? What does that even mean?" She continued to giggle, and he noticed that her stutter had completely disappeared, giving her voice an even softer, purer quality. He couldn't describe the way his blood seemed to flow through him at the sound, just that it was a strange, but enjoyable sensation.
~~~
Hinata calmed herself after giggling. She didn't know if he was being serious or just had a strange sense of humour, but either way it made her laugh like she hadn't in a long time. She didn't know what it was about him, she had never even seen the man, but she felt safe and relaxed in his company. He could be a serial killer and she was laughing. Part of her wished she knew how to make more conversation just to hear his voice, but another part enjoyed the comfortable silence they often shared.
"So you hide, okay," She repeated, hiding her smile, "well, I just got a job actually, my first one."
She hoped she didn't sound like a spoiled brat, only getting her first job at this point in her life, but she was proud of herself, this was a huge step in the right direction.
"What will you be doing?" He asked.
Hinata frowned, "Well, I'm going to be a maid. I've never done this sort of thing before, I'm quite nervous." And she was, she had been so caught up in her excitement to even think about what she might be doing, but she was resilient, she could do it.
Sabaku seemed to clear his throat before speaking, like he was trying to think of something to say.
"I… I'm sure you will do just fine."
It's amazing how determined she felt after those couple of words. The only person who had believed in her was her mother… and now she was gone. All through her childhood right up to when she and her mother had left, all she had heard was "Don't disappoint me", "Try harder" and "Your sister is more accomplished than you will ever be".
Hinata thought of her sister again, it's amazing how often she had after she left. Hanabi had always been the light in the family's life. Always improving, becoming a natural heiress, leader and most of all, a Hyuuga. Hanabi had done nothing wrong to Hinata though, not that she had much of a choice. Hinata hadn't seen her for a month before she left the compound, they had constantly been separated. The elders thought that Hanabi spending too much time with Hinata would make her soft and ruin her leadership abilities. She still revelled in her childhood memories of them playing together. They were together nearly all of the time before Hinata turned twelve years of age. Then they decided that Hinata wasn't Heiress material and they took Hanabi from her. She could still remember the look on Hanabi's face, the same look matching Hinata's, so distressed, angry, sad. It haunted her dreams sometimes.
Hinata shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She was daydreaming too much these days, she needed to think straight if she was to do anything right in her new position.
"T-thank you, Sabaku. That means a lot."
Hinata waited a few minutes before assuring herself that Sabaku wasn't going to speak any further, grabbed the Suna History book from the shelf and carried it over to the chair, she sunk into the soft fabric and started to read.
~~~
After Hinata had fallen asleep yet again, Gaara had two thoughts in his head.
One, does this female have the ability to sleep literally anywhere?
Two, was he going to risk putting her in the spacious bed again? Last time it had taken so much of his willpower to leave her sleeping so unguardedly. She looked so relaxed, so serene. He felt a lightness in his chest whenever he thought of the fact that someone could be so comfortable around him to fall asleep in his presence. He thought of the other people who had slept around him, sleeping comfortably until he crushed them and felt their bones crack underneath the weight of his sand. He stared at his hands again. He shouldn't even be touching something so pure with the hands of a monster, the hands that had killed along with his surrounding sand. There had been blood dripping from literally every inch of him, and he was sitting here looking at a female with pure white skin, thinking of touching her, possibly even dirtying her with his bloodstained hands. He knew he was not that person anymore, he didn't even hear the monster calling out to him anymore, but it was too late and the damage was done. He choose that path and he will live with his past.
Logical thinking outweighed his own hatred however, when he thought about the pain she would be in if she slept in the small chair all night. If he could prevent that pain, he would.
Listening to her breathing to ensure she was sleeping, he made his way over to her and gently picked her up, making sure none of her skin touched his. He looked down at her in his arms, so trusting. A soft smile crept up her lips as she held on tighter, unconsciously grabbing the shirt on his chest and breathed out "Sabaku". Gaara stood still. Shocked.
Surely he was imagining things. Still, it made his body shiver, like a warm comforting breeze. Hinata didn't show any signs of waking up so he carried her to the large bed, pulling the covers over her. Again he stared at her, 'one last look before I go' he said to himself.
It must have been another ten minutes of watching her breathe softly, looking like an angel surrounded by the devils colours. Gaara frowned and touched his own, fiery red hair. 'Fitting,' he thought to himself, 'devils colour for the devil himself.'
He left her then, staying in his study doing paperwork until he saw the sun peeking over the horizon and then left for the tower, taking one last look at the peaceful girl as he went.
Gaara sat in his office forty minutes later, looking for an important document that Temari had requested in one of her letters back, 'well, good to know she's been doing actual work' he thought dryly. He looked over his desk, covered in half eaten food, his jacket on one edge. The whole room was a mess, covered in clothes, food, scrunched up documents, and copious amounts of dust, it was barely even liveable. He hadn't cared before but now he's decided to be more active in his village, he decided it needed a deep clean. Taking a deep breath, he walked out of his quarters and went to find a maid.
~~~
Hinata was just in time! When she woke up to the sun rising she knew she didn't have much time. The sun rose a lot earlier here than it did in Konoha, but she still had to run back to her house, clean herself up, dress in her uniform and get to work. By the time she arrived at the Tower she was dishevelled. She looked at her reflection in one of the windows to fix her clothes before she went in. She felt so uncomfortable in the short, frilly uniform. Usually she never wore something so revealing, she could see nearly her entire thighs! Luckily it went lower at the back, otherwise she'd never be able to show her face in this.
Straightening her uniform and her back, Hinata walked into the Tower, head held high, face flaming.
Luckily, a maid was right inside the Tower who directed Hinata to the head housekeeper's office. After knocking on the door softly and being granted entry, Hinata opened the door to a stiff, white haired woman, not unlike her first nanny. She looked stern and hard to please, Hinata swallowed as the fear crept up her spine again.
"I-I'm H-Hinata Hyu—Hyuuga." Hinata grimaced at the sound of her own stutter. Taking a deep breath she tried again. "I-I'm Hinata Hyuuga, I was told to come to you for instruction?" Yes, that was better. Sound like a normal person.
"You are prepared to work hard, I hope? We can't have weak women here." God, even her voice was screeching, like a hawk about to swoop its prey. The stern woman had a constant frown line and lips that looked thin because of how straight she kept them. She had brown eyes that hardened as they took Hinata in, assessing, judging.
"Y-Yes. I-I will do anything!" Hinata said quickly, feeling nervous under the stern woman's gaze. The woman just nodded her head.
"W-What w-would you like me to d-do?" she stumbled out. Feeling tiny compared to the ram-rod straight woman in front of her. She unnerved her, made her feel six years old again.
The woman stared straight into Hinata's eyes and a slightly evil glare came into them. She seemed to become more intimidating as the minutes ticked by and Hinata started finding it hard to breathe.
"You will be assigned the Kazekage's office. You will clean everything, put all documents into alphabetical order and ensure that the Kazekage is satisfied. Am I clear?"
Hinata breathed out in relief, this shouldn't be too hard. The office was a mess last time she went in there, but she knew her abilities and she knew it wouldn't be that bad. 'Plus, I'll get to see him again.' She thought, blush starting to stain her cheeks.
"Y-Yes, of c-course!"
After the woman had told Hinata where to find the cleaning products and the Kazekage's office (like she didn't already know), Hinata went off, her steps a little lighter.
She didn't understand why the maids all looked horrified, but she was sure it was something about her so she just kept her head down and continued on her way, not letting them upset her day. This was the first day of her job and it was going to be great!
