A/n: TADA! and here we have the newest installment to our ficcie here...many thanks to our beautiful beta, Crouge, she's been proof reading the rest of the chapters as well...thanks so much!
Before that...hehehehe... i want advertise my DA account...hehehe...i have a few GaaHina fanarts there...check it out!(the link is in my profile)
im not a good artist...but well...i like to draw...A LOT! (special thanks to DarkPrincessPredator...for being my only DAwatcher...and KyuubiPandoraChan for welcoming me there...)
okay...okay...
nuf talk...go ahead and enjoy.
Dis: Dont own it...we know that already...
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Blood In Suna
Chapter 10: Untitled
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One week…one fucking week. He stared at his desk. I can't even leave for seven friggin' days without a pile of reports waiting.
Gaara massaged his temples to ward off the incoming migraine.
He looked around his office and sighed. He had large circular windows and most of the time he spent his afternoons looking out them.
The sun was almost setting and it made the villages' stone houses cast long eerie shadows.
Sunakagure was neither poor nor rich but the people of the hidden village had great adaptability skills. They were resourceful and they knew how to get the most out of what they had.
They were considered one of the strongest. But it wasn't like that before. Right after Gaara's return from Akatsuki, the village suffered a great crisis, both politically and economically.
Almost half of their country's feudal lords and even a few members of his advisers thought of him unfit to be Kazekage. Due to the fact that the Shukaku had already been drawn out of him they thought that he was no longer strong enough to protect them.
The political chaos affected their economy, bringing in fewer missions than usual. And fewer missions meant less money. Gaara had to do something to prove that he was still able to defend the village, if needed. He needed to prove that he was still strong enough and that, with or without Shukaku, he was still worthy of his title. It took a lot from him and his siblings but they succeeded and thankfully, it brought stability back to Suna. That was one of his darkest times as Kazekage and if possible, he wouldn't let it happen again.
He looked down from his office and saw that the Konoha shinobis were getting ready to depart. His thoughts then drifted to his past experiences with those men.
Kiba and Shino he was not very familiar with, but Rock Lee…
He fought against and beside him before…such a long time ago.
He rarely went out on missions anymore. Though lately…
"Gaara-kun…" A voice, so syrupy sweet, suddenly interrupted his train of thought.
He turned to glare at the intruder.
"Excuse me, Kazekage-sama." she corrected herself.
"What is it?" He asked wearily.
"I missed you… You were away longer than you promised." Mai, the brown-haired konoichi who welcomed them two days ago, hopped on top of his table. She was still wearing the same outfit but unlike before she was now wearing a coat over it.
"If that's what you came here for, I'm not in the mood," He said as he slumped down his chair.
"Don't be like that… It's bad enough that I have to share you with the rest of the village girls, worse you just got engaged, now you're acting all grumpy and stuff…" She leaned over and touched Gaara's face.
The man though just picked up a report and started reading, acting like he didn't hear a word she said.
"Fine! Be like that…" She righted herself and got up from the table. "Just don't come running back to me if she doesn't satisfy you." She said as she stomped her way towards the door.
Gaara saw her looking back as if waiting for a reaction, so he looked up and said…
"Close the door behind you…" which only made the girl angrier.
He let out another sigh as he heard the shogi door slid shut.
- o O o –
She looked down from her window. They had been here two days, but it felt shorter than that. Below, Kiba, Shino and Lee, stood waiting for the rest of the group. They were getting ready to leave for Konoha. She volunteered to at least take them to the border, but Neji insisted for her not to. From what he have gathered, Suna had some trouble with a group of missing nins lately and he couldn't risk her being injured, or worse captured and sold to the highest bidder. Heiress or not… She was still a member of the Hyuuga main house.
Before she left Konoha, it had been an issue if they should put the cursed seal on her too. Considering her age she was certainly too old for it. There was a reason why their clan put the seal at a very young age, where the bearer was yet to learn how to mold and control his or her chakra, because if the seal was performed on her now, her body will instinctively react on the curse, causing damage to her chakra circulatory system. The process would be fatal for Hinata. Aside from that, the council thought that Suna might not be too happy if they send a branch member when they were promised a heiress. So in the end, it was decided not to brand her.
She brought a hand up to touch her forehead. Even miles and miles away from her clan, being a Hyuuga still got in the way of everything she wanted to do.
Neji and Tenten just joined the others and were now heading towards the gate. Her eyes fixed themselves on her cousins back and for the hundredth time today she wished she was not the heiress… Not a Hyuuga… Not Hinata. She wanted to be someone else, even if it meant not living with all the luxury she had been accustomed to. Even if it meant she had to live in a tiny apartment cause that was the only thing she could afford… Even if it meant she had to work her ass off to earn her living. Because maybe then…
Maybe…just maybe…
They'd be together.
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Neji, whose hands were gripping the strap of his knapsack too tightly, fought with all his might not to look back. He knew she was watching… He knew and it broke his heart into a million tiny pieces and it would never be whole again, for even if he went home today, some of those pieces would be left here with her. So as if his back was made of steel, his neck made of iron, stiffly he made his way towards the gate. He should not, would not, could not, look back for his heart was already broken, but his pride had to remain intact.
- o O o -
There was a knock on her door before she heard someone speak.
"Excuse me, Hinata-sama." The girl entered. She was young, maybe around 13 or 14 years old, with short black hair, pale skin and dark eyes that looked like marbles, small yet round and shiny. She, kind of, reminded Hinata of herself.
"I'm so sorry to disturb you. I was sent to get you" The girl bowed before her.
"It's alright." Hinata turned to face her. "What's your name?"
"Anou…Hana… Tanaka Hana. Nice to meet you." She mumbled, as she clumsily bowed again.
" Im Hinata…Hyuuga Hinata…Nice to meet you too." The older woman smiled. "But Hinata…would be fine."
"Hinata-sam…san." She quickly corrected herself. "Gaara-sama would like to see you… They have sent me to get you." Hana said shyly, blushing furiously as she mentioned their Kazekage's name.
The Hyuuga heiress looked out the window one last time and sighed. "I hope you don't mind waiting for a little while…" She started to walk towards the closet. "I would need to freshen up a bit."
"Not at all… Please do. I'll…I'll just…" she looked around to see what she could do while waiting. Just when she was about to settle on the floor Hinata offered the only chair in the room.
"Please sit down…"
She saw the young Hyuuga enter the bathroom and shortly, the shower hissed and the sound of dripping water and the sweet scent of lavender filled the room.
Hana looked at her hands, folded neatly on her lap. Kazekage-sama's bride to be… Her eyes then stared at the bathroom door. Hinata-san's very pretty. And her voice is calm and gentle…A smile then played in her lips. Gaara-sama needs someone just like her.
- o O o -
There was a light tap on his door.
"Enter."
"Gaara-sama…you've sent for me?" Hinata, in her usual dark pants and jacket, bowed before entering the room.
"No." he said bluntly.
Her head shot up and she looked at him, confused. What did he mean he didn't send for her?
"Anou… You didn't-"
"I didn't…but since you're here might as well tell you something." He beckoned for her to sit down.
Hinata was blushing from head to toe. She just came here unannounced and…uninvited. Why would that girl lie to her? She thought as she settled on the chair across Gaara.
"Are you listening?" She heard him asked irritably.
"Im sorry…"
"I just said Temari was the one who sent for you."
"Oh… I see." Well at least it wasn't unannounced.
"My advisers set a meeting for tonight. They wanted to talk to you." He stood up and walked towards the window.
To be honest she was wondering why they haven't called for her yet. It was expected that they would want to meet with her. "I understand."
They were silent for a while not too sure what to say next. It was this kind of tension Hinata disliked… It made the air thick and the silence tangible. She felt like someone was choking her, she dared to break the silence.
"I-I guess you're busy." Stupid statement. Duh? Her inner self berated.
Gaara didn't even look at her and just continued to stare out the window.
"Do you need any help?" Okay… Stop before you embarrass yourself any further. What could you possibly do to help? You don't know a thing about his work.
At this point Gaara was looking at her. If he had been blessed with eyebrows he would have certainly raised one of them now, so instead he just glared.
"Im sorry…I was just…" She started, but he cut her off.
"You can read, right?" he sighed as he walked back to his table.
"Of-course." She answered not to sure whether to be insulted or relieved.
"Start with this. Explain it to me after you've read it." He handed her a report from the pile on his desk.
"Alright." She took the folder and began reading.
Gaara sat back on his chair and unrolled another scroll, eyeing his eager helper from behind the parchment.
This should be interesting.
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Two hours and a half later, Hinata was on her twentieth report.
"This is a B rank mission. Escorting a visiting Feudal Lord for a trip to Rice Country…" Hinata went on with the report while Gaara listened.
After observing the Hyuuga, he found her comments smart and witty. Though she had problems speaking her mind about personal matters, he noticed she was different when it came to work. She was a fast learner, though not comparable to his sister's but she had above average analytical skills, she was easy to understand, she chose her words well, and above all she had a gentle and mellow voice. A trait his sister certainly lacked. He'd pick her over Temari as an assistant any day. But of course she required extensive knowledge of the village's internal affairs and businesses before he could appoint her. But for now, since he was only doing the reports today, she'd do.
He saw her brows creased as she picked up the next report. "That's enough."
Hinata let out a sigh of relief.
"It's already dark. We need to meet up with my advisers soon." He stood up and moved away from his table.
"Would you like me to get you something to eat first?" She asked as she got up herself.
"No." He answered shortly.
"Alright..."
"I would suggest you not to eat yet as well." She said as he entered another room within his office.
"O-kay." A bit confused but she agreed anyways.
When Gaara appeared again he was already dressed in his kazekage robes. Blue and white cloths that made his hair look blazingly red. With his hat in hand, he slid the door open and let her head out first.
As they walked down the hall, Hinata couldn't resist to glance up the man next to her.
"What?" he asked without looking.
"Hmm?" she replied, as if in a daze.
"You're staring."
"Oh! Sorry…I-m sor-…I didn't mean to…I was just-" she stuttered and quickly looked away. "I was just…"
He turned his head to see her blushing like a ripe tomato.
"Just what?" Aquamarine eyes met her pearly white ones and Hinata was lost for words.
Their steps halted. Their faces were inches away from each other but she didn't even notice just how close he was to her until now. She was nailed on the ground that it seemed like all she could do was gape at him.
He leaned closer and Hinata panicked, thinking he was going to do something inappropriate.
She sucked her breath in and waited for the inevitable…
Only to realize…
… He was just reaching for the door behind her.
"We're here." She felt his breath warm against her skin.
She blinked twice
Hinata quickly turned around before he could see her blushing like a lobster.
But the slow quirking of his lips only meant…he already did.
- o O o –
"Take the Hyuuga Heiress, Minako." Daisuke, a very old man in white robes, with skin so thick and wrinkly it looked like worn out leather, spoke. His black beady eyes looked straight at Hinata the moment she entered.
The one called Minako, a very old woman as well but not quite as old as the Daisuke geezer, stood up and led Hinata out of the room.
The Kazekage's advisers were composed of seven elders, all claimed to be the wisest, and most experienced ninjas of Sunakagure. Two of which were females and the rest were men. Daisuke-sama, and Minako-sama, distant relatives of Tsubaa-sama., were the oldest in the lot.
Gaara's gaze swept the room. If you asked him, they really were just a bunch of old goats trying to act smart and noble so they could die in luxury. He took his seat at the end of the table. He had some ideas of what they were going to do with Hinata, but he wanted them to confirm it. "Where is she taking her?"
"No need to worry, it's just an examination… to see if she's healthy and fit." Daisuke replied casually.
"Fit?" Ahh... yes. Fit for child-bearing. Examining the goods before the final purchase...
"Is that so…"He placed his hat on the table. He felt his headache coming back in full force.
"It is necessary." Katsu, one of his advisers commented.
"Of course." The young Kazekage answered sarcastically. "Don't we have other things to discuss? I feel like I'm wasting my time here."
- o O o –
Hinata followed the much older woman in front of her. She was a lot faster than most women at her age. But she guessed she wouldn't be one of the advisers for the Kazekage if she was such a weakling.
"Hinata-san, please enter." She opened the door and turned to her.
"Welcome."
The moment Hinata stepped inside the room, she was greeted by white walls, white tables, white couch, and a sweet nurse all dressed in her white uniform.
"Minako-sama, everything's ready." The young nurse smiled at them.
"Anou…" Hinata started.
"Hinata-san, come with me." Minako-sama said as she strode past her.
"Hinata-sama, let me help you undress." The nurse volunteered.
"I'm sorry…what?" The other girl's face turned crimson and clutched her jacket more tightly.
"You'll need to wear this." She handed her a neatly folded hospital gown.
"Oh…" She let out a nervous laugh as realization dawned her. Of course…silly me…
- o O o –
Gaara stared at the door, thinking of the many ways he could trash the damn thing. They had been discussing the same topic for the past twenty minutes and it seemed like they were going nowhere. He let out a frustrated sigh.
These old geezers were getting on his nerves. They were debating if the Hyuuga heiress should temporarily reside in a completely different building… Away from him… until they were finally married or should she just stay in their mother's living quarters, the one she used when she was still alive.
"Tradition dictates that-" the conversation was cut off when the shogi door slid open and the two women entered the room.
"Minako, How was it?" Daisuke's raspy voice silenced the on going arguments of the other elders.
"I'll have the final results later. But so far…"she glanced at Hinata who silently sat Gaara's side. "The initial results were fine."
Hinata accepted the tea that was offered and drank it slowly as she listened to the elders conversed.
"Then I think it's safe to assume she's healthy enough to give birth by the middle of next year. They should get it started as soon as possible." Osamu, the youngest of the advisers, said slyly, implying more than what was necessary.
Gag! Hinata choked on her tea. The clear, green liquid almost spilled out of her mouth.
GIVE WHAT? She fought the urge to ask.
"Don't act so surprised Hinata-san, it is expected for a wife to give birth to her husband's children." Minako looked straight at her.
"Please…this conversation is making our guest uncomfortable…after all they're not yet married." Keiko, the other female member of the advisers spoke.
"But they will be…soon." Osamu added.
"Yes, but still…" Keiko insisted.
"Oh please…what not… We're talking about nature here…It's just natural that they produce an offspring as soon as possible." Taro, one of the male advisers agreed to his fellow elders.
"See… if you say it like that... It doesn't sound so naughty anymore." Osamu frowned at his closest friend.
"What? I was just saying…"
"That it's normal to leave your spawns behind before you die a gruesome death, after hours and hours of excruciating torture, in the hands of your enemies." Yuudai, a very pale, very thin, balding old man, with hands that looked like it belonged to a corpse, and eyes that seemed to be buried a bit too deep in his skull, continued Taro's sentence.
"Now that's just creepy…spawns?" Osamu moved away from Yuudai, who happened to be sitting right next to him.
"That's enough!" Daisuke glared at them before looking at Gaara. "You will be married…that's final. There is no point for her to stay on a different roof when she could go ahead and settle in her quarters now."
"Aa…" Gaara agreed. It didn't really matter to him.
Hinata looked at the old man, confused. What did he mean by that? This was actually even worse than their clan council meetings back home. At least there she understood most of what they were talking about, but here…she didn't had a clue, and no one cared enough to tell her anything.
"If that's decided, then were done." Gaara stood up and the others followed. "I'll escort Hinata to her room."
One by one they slowly exited.
"Gaara-sama…I think were heading the wrong way…my room is that way." She pointed the other direction as she trotted to catch up with him.
"I know." He didn't even slow down for her. "You're staying in my mother quarters now."
She noticed how he slightly flinched when he mentioned the word mother. "Oh…okay… Where is it?"
"Right next to mine."
Hinata would have fallen flat on her face if Gaara wasn't there to catch her.
"Careful." He growled.
A room right next to his huh…great! She swallowed hard. "Thanks."
But he didn't hear her say it since he was already way ahead of her. Dammit! Why did it have to be so soon? The Hyuuga heir cursed her luck as she walk behind the silent Kazekage.
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A/N: if you wanna know who's that brown haired girl just follow the link in my profile...
to my reviewers...errr... how should i say this...Im so sorry...i will use the reply button from now on...cause i just realized how hard it is to reply a bunch of people within your fic...
many thanks to those who reviewed! hope you enjoyed...