They said it was normal for a birth to take this long. Other said giving birth was easy. Yet others kept quiet, in silent prayer that the Kazekages wife and child would live. The silence was worse than the keening cries of pain that came muffled from the other room. The silence meant death and peace to the one who had suffered. When it went on to long Gaara would end up jumping up, rushing to the door, and then sighing in relief as another breathy cry of pain told of Hinata's being alive.

He lost count of how many times he had walked up and down the hallway. No doubt he had covered several miles in that one hallway. The hardwood floors would have to be replaced, and while he was at it he would send the hospital cook to some culinary classes. The food was rancid. How could someone get well if they had to eat that crap.

Glancing at Amun and grimaced at the scratch marks the dog had left behind on the door into Hinata's room. The wood had deep gouges that no wood worker would be able to sand away or hid with stain. It probably didn't matter much the door was cheaply made. Gaara was beginning to make a list of repairs that needed to be made at the hospital anyway, might as well add that one to it.

"Gaara would you sit down," Temari asked. "You're giving me a headache just watching you."

He eyed the chair next to his sister and gingerly sat down. It was exactly what he expected from hard plastic, cold and highly uncomfortable. It would take only a matter of minutes before his butt would go numb. "Woman give birth every day," Temari said softly as if that one statement was supposed to calm him.

"And they die almost every day from complications," Gaara replied like the dooms day prophet he was.

"Those women are weak and lack stamina, they are not HInata," Temari said trying to be optimistic, but failing.

"I know her odds of survival, they are pretty slim," Gaara replied.

His butt was completely numb; it had taken exactly one minute and twenty three seconds for it to happen. It would take his body twice as long to physically recuperate from the numbness. Maybe he wasn't getting enough potassium or sodium in his diet, or it could have been a B12 vitamin deficiency.

There he went again be analytical about matters of no importance, when his wife was in the other room dying. So he got up again and paced the hallway and Amun, faithful dog that he is paced right by his side.

And when they got tired they sat down, and when their butts got numb, really it was Gaara's posterior not Amun's, they would get up and pace again. This went on for hours, before finally the door opened and Sekka stepped out.

The doctor looked weary, not just because the birth had been long and hard but because the woman in the room was the Kazekages wife, and it was his child. The pressure was tenfold and the long hours of trying to deliver the child had come through. He was very happy to present to the sand leader his baby boy. Swathed in a blue blanket the boy had his father's red hair and his mothers pale violet eyes. But above all he was healthy.

"May I present to you Kazekage, your son," Sekka said with a sigh as he gently laid the child into Gaara's waiting arms.

Gaara was struck with awe as he stared down at the tiny child in his arms; a little arm stretched out from beneath the blanket, reaching out and with a small gurgle wiggled his small fingers. Grains of sand smaller than the naked eye could detect, but Gaara saw it and he felt it. With a smile that softened his usual cold features he kissed the boys forehead. His son was a sand wielder like himself.

"Hajime," Gaara said softly, "A new beginning."

"It is a good name," Temari replied with a smile as she watched her nephew.

"I must see Hinata," Gaara said.

"By all means Kazekage, Hinata is doing well resting," Sekka said then paused, "Before you go in though, I must warn you that the birth was a hard one and that you both must think long and hard about having another child in the future."

"I have my son, heir to the country, why would I need another to rival him," Gaara dead panned.

Sekka didn't argue didn't flinch at his leaders immaculately chosen words. "I am just warning you Kazekage, another pregnancy and you might very well lose your wife and your unborn child,"

"Then be satisfied that your advice is duly noted," Gaara replied.

Gaara walked past with his child the room was bathed in early morning light. Sunbeams played across his wife's pale face, making her skin glow with an inner warmth, her dark black hair was spread out like a raven's wing. She looked peaceful and tired, yet she managed to smile at him and laugh.

"You were right Gaara, we have a son,"

Gaara smiled as he sat down on the side of her bed and gently showed her their child.

"You should never doubt that your Husband is right in all things,"

Hinata smiled as she cooed over Hijame, "He is perfect from his red hair right down to his little feet, are you happy?"

Gaara paused than smiled as he looked at his little family, "I've never been happier,"

It was true, this had to be the first time the Kazekage had ever felt so at peace with life, and it was probably why he didn't pick up the shadow that past across his wife's eyes.

CHAPTER

9

"My Lady," Yaoki cried in fear as he took in the appearance of the sand mistress, she was dressed in her traveling clothes.

"Gaara didn't give us leave to return," Korobi pointed out more calmly than his partner did.

"We can't leave without the Kazekage's approval my Lady," Yaoki explained.

"I understand Yaoki. I wouldn't want you and Korobi to get into trouble with the Kazekage for disobeying orders," Hinata replied with a smile.

Yaoki's shoulders visibly relaxed at her statement.

"Thank you my lady for understanding our predicament," Yaoki replied his tone thankful.

"I understand all too well the difficulty that the Kazekage puts on you both,"

Korobi wasn't making a sound as he leaned against the wall of his mistress's bed chamber and watched as she continued to strap on her pouch.

"That's why I will travel alone." Hinata replied as she tied her black hair back and reached for her cloak.

"What!" Yaoki shouted in shock and frustration.

Korobi gave a laugh as he pushed off the wall. "Shouldn't have been praising the gods just yet. You know our Lady; even the wrath of Gaara won't stop her."

"But…but if we let our Lady leave, without permission," It was too much for Yaoki, who always followed the rules and didn't know how to handle situations when rules were about to be broken.

"Take it easy Yaoki. You stay behind inform Gaara and I'll escort Lady Hinata back home," Korobi supplied simply.

Yaoki nodded his head. "I will inform the Kazekage right away"

Hinata frowned as she watched Yaoki run out of the bedchamber in a rush to get to the Kazekage.

"My Lady we should get going before Gaara finds out," Korobi suggested.

Hinata smiled as she followed behind Korobi. Her protectors, the two men Gaara trusted most helping her to escape this depressing place to return to a more pleasant home. Once at the summer home she would have to start fabricating a story on why she wanted to travel to the northern border to meet with Hanabi and her cousin. She would come up with something she always did. A smile of satisfaction crossed her lips, as she pictured the reaction the Kazekage would have once he heard she had left. The only regret she had at the moment was not seeing his anger. Two for Hinata zero for Gaara, she thought smugly.

…

"I am just as pleased with this new trading route as you are Kazekage," the Raikage commented as he placed his signature on the document laid out before him.

For once the Kazekages hat was useful in hiding the satisfied smirk of the sand leader. At least something useful had transpired over the last week and half. A trade agreement with Kumogakure would strengthen the alliance between the two lands. Gaara at least knew he had to give some credit to Hinata. The Raikage probably would have ignored the trade alliance if it wasn't for his infatuation with the Kazekage's wife. Even though the last couple of days Gaara noticed that the great leader of Kumogakure had stopped seeking Hinata out.

Gaara took the pen and signed his name on the document with a swift motion. It was completed with a firm handshake. The satisfaction of a successful endeavor soon vanished with the distraught look of concern on Yaoki's face.

"Kazekage, there is something I must tell you," Yaoki began in a hushed tone.

"Please Yaoki its Gaara," The Leader corrected gently as he led the way into the vacant hallway for some privacy.

"I have been looking for you all morning," Yaoki said in distress, his eyes shifting around anxiously.

Gaara glanced out one of the hallway windows to see the afternoon sun was slowly descending, toward hopefully a cooler evening.

"It concerns Lady Hinata," Yaoki began.

"It usually does," Gaara muttered as he took off the hat. "I haven't seen or heard from her all day; I can only imagine the mischief she has created."

"Yes well, um," Yaoki stammered slightly, the color in his face grew darker.

Before the conversation could continue Kankuro walked into the hallway with a frown on his face.

"Gaara did you give your consent for Hinata to leave."

Gaara's frown deepened and his eyes darkened in anger at his older brothers words. Yaoki made a motion as if to say something but Gaara cut him off with a raised hand.

"No," Gaara said as calmly as he could, taking a breath he pinched the bridge of his nose. With eyes closed he finally continued. "Let me guess my wife just left."

"Yes and no," Yaoki muttered.

"What?" Gaara snapped.

"Yes she left but it was quite early this morning when she did," Yaoki corrected.

"Yep front gate patrol just announced it to me," Kankuro verified.

"Forgive me Kazekage for not being strong enough to stop her," Yaoki pleaded.

Gaara gently placed a hand on his friends shoulder and sighed, "It is not your fault Yaoki, it is entirely mine, meet me at the front gate in an hour,"

Yaoki jumped to do the Kazekage's biding while Gaara slowly made his way to his office, Kankuro in tow. With calmness in his movements, he carefully took off his Kazekage's robes, careful not to crease them he hung the garments up in his office closet. His movements were slow and precise as he continued getting himself ready. There was not rushing, no haste in any of his actions, it was like he had all the time in the world.

"You look awful calm for someone whose wife just ran away," Kankuro muttered from the doorway.

Gaara paused for a second as he stared at the vest he was about to put on. He might have looked calm but inside he was furious. How dare she defy him like this when he had specifically ordered her to stay? Yet at the same time he knew it was all his fault, and he took the blame for it.

"I'm going after her Kankuro,"

"I assumed you would, you do every time," Kankuro replied.

"I started this when I married her, its time I end it," Gaara replied as he pulled a paper out from one of the drawers of his desk. "Most of the Kages have left already so no one will know my absence,"

Kankuro's eyes widened as he stared at the block letter print at the top of the paper.

"I'll bring her back we will sign this document and we will both be free," Gaara replied as he finished tying one last strap and headed out the door.

Kankuro watched the leave before he picked up the document; his eyes scanned across the title 'Annulment' and sighed. Lady Hinata wasn't as meek and timid as everyone had previously thought. She had shocked everyone when she stood up to Gaara, when she defied him, and when she moved to the summer estate just to get away from her husband.

After 'the incident' Gaara and Hinata had both changed. Hinata grew more distant and cutting with her words, while Gaara grew hateful and bitter toward his wife. Maybe it was for the best that they separate.

…

Gaara stared down at the map deep in thought. Korobi and Yaoki stood beside him while Kankuro sat across from them a frown creased the purple face paint that lined around his lips. Korobi had just finished explaining the route Hinata had taken and where he had lost the trail. Kankuro tapped a finger on one particular road and both brothers shared a knowing glance. Land of Wind's highest export of goods was spices moved through the desert by merchants traveling in caravans. There was one other product that had been traded illicitly in a very similar manner. Slavery.

And although Gaara had tried to put a stop to it in years past it was difficult to keep tabs on every part of his country. This road in particular had several reports of such activity. The description of the incident that had led to the separation of Korobi and Hinata was an exact liking to previous reports.

What a mess. Gaara thought in frustration. He had two choices either send a team to retrieve his wife, thus leading to rumors and gossip about the personal life of the Kazekage and his wife. Or retrieve her himself, thus requiring him to travel into a part of his country that he was not welcomed in. It didn't stop there either; a trip into such a location that didn't take kindly to shinobi would demand traveling incognito That would put him in a position where he couldn't rely on his sand jutsu's for help. There was really no choice when he pondered the outcome of each option. She was probably terrified and no doubt pissed. He was going after her himself. Yet he had to know one thing.

"Korobi was she running away from me?" Gaara asked his voice soft and low.

"No Gaara, she wasn't running from you," Korobi replied as he reached into his flap jacket and pulled out the small weapon. "Lady Hinata was bent on reaching the Northern border and exchanging this," Korobi offered the dagger to Gaara before continuing, "with her older cousin."

Gaara's irritation increased as he took the dagger. This small insignificant item was the start of all his problems concerning his wife. Hinata was obsessed with the dagger, it never left her side, and yet it was so useless. The blade was dull; one would have to go out of their way to cut themselves on it. The handle was faulty; it was loose in the palm of one's hand not providing a proper grip in order to deal a defensive blow. The only unique part of it was the jewels that decorated the handle piece, thus giving it some value. Why after five years did she want to get rid of it?

"Before we got separated she pushed this into my hands and said to guard it with my life," Korobi continued.

Kankuro gave an exasperated sigh as he leaned forward. "Alright Gaara I understand your frustration at being married to such an irate female such as Hinata. This is ridiculous."

Gaara suppressed the urge to say 'I told you so' but he knew Kankuro was irritated for a different reason. After the meeting of the Kages, Kankuro was going to spend some much needed quality time with his family. It had been a busy two weeks and Gaara knew his older brother had spent little to no time with Matsuri.

"I would be willing to track her down," Kankuro offered.

Gaara shook his head. "No I'll get her myself. Kankuro if you could step in as acting Kazekage while I am gone."

"And the council?"

"Tell them my wife and I are on an extended vacation. That should please them they have been pushing for me to take some time off, and to make amends with my wife," Gaara muttered.

"I take personal responsibility for not stopping her Gaara I will go with you."

Yaoki swore passionately.

Gaara's lips twitched in amusement at his loyal friend. "That won't be necessary Yaoki. This incident with my wife has been a long time coming. I need to face this head on."

Yaoki blinked in surprise at Gaara's comment.

"I can't thank you two enough for watching my wife for me but it's about time I settled this difference between us," Gaara explained to Yaoki and Korobi.

There was a few understanding looks between the three men as they watched their Kazekage walk out of the office of the summer estate.

…

Temari stared at the Leader of the Hyuuga clan, Hiashi, who stood across from her looking down his royal nose, with a snide smirk that reminder her all too much of Neji.

"He what?" Temari asked in disbelief.

"As I said before," Hiashi said with a hint of sarcasm, "you may recall, my nephew is on his way to a retreat for his health."

"On a retreat, that's bullshit," Temari snarled.

Hiashi's eyes darkened, "I do not appreciate such dirty talk in my house, especially coming from a relative of the Kazekage,"

"It's awful suspicious that your nephew disappears the same time my brother's wife does,"

"The Kazekage should keep better tabs on his wife,"

"She is your daughter,"

"My daughter is out of my reach, as long as she is in Land of Wind I have no authority over what she can and cannot do," Hiashi replied snidely. "That is what marriage is all about."

Temari was shocked by the lack of concern on the Hyuuga Lords part.

"The Annulment?"

"I have read your so called grounds against my daughter and you have no case," Hyuuga replied shortly. "You shouldn't have come to us for help in freeing your brother. If Hinata wants to end the marriage, she will do so under her terms. Until that time I support my daughter like any proud father would."

Temari realized she wasn't going to get anywhere with the Hyuuga lord, finally grasping the idea that the trip had been a waste of time and effort. The best she could do was return to Land of Wind, help Kankuro run the country until Gaara came back, with or without his wife.

"I take my leave of you than," Temari said softly as she bowed out of respect to the older man. "I thank you for your hospitality."

"It is an honor to have the sister of the Kazekage stop in to visit," Hiashi replied, his words laced with sarcasm and hidden disdain. Of which Temari couldn't blame the man for, he was only looking out for his daughter as she looked out for her brother. "May your trip back be swift and easy."

Temari nodded her head and left. She wasn't angry or disappointed, she was however pissed at a certain egotistical young man who would regret the day he toyed with her. And that thought made her happy