Little Talks

'I don't like walking around this old and empty house'

It took a week before she started speaking again, but at the moment it was only certain people she would talk to. With the things she had been through, the medic nin tried their best to help her, but there was only so much chakra healing could do. She soon had been released back to her apartment, and was now sitting on the bed; she stared out the window watching people run through the streets. She tried to figure out her emotions, trying to understand things that continued to confuse her. She remembered everything that happened, the want to kill Naruto, hurting Sakura almost killing her, the fight with Gaara and the kiss. Her fingers traced her lips; it was almost as if she could still feel it. She sighed to herself knowing sooner or later she would need to talk to them, to him. But she didn't know if she was quite ready, there were things in her mind that were fuzzy and didn't make sense, things she was sure had been placed in her mind. The knocking at her door broke her from her thoughts; she rose from the bed and headed to the door. She opened the door a crack and was relieved to see Temari standing there with a wary smile on her face.

"Hey Hina-chan" That had been her nickname for her since she was the only person that she allowed to talk to her. "I just wanted to come by and check on since this is your first night out from the hospital. I figured you might need someone to talk to." Her smile never faded as she talked to Hinata, she sighed and nodded opening the door more to allow her to enter. Temari crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed, looking up at Hinata expectantly. She gave her a shaky smile before sitting down beside her. "So how are you feeling?" She asked still watching her carefully. Hinata's eyes drifted to the floor.

"Confused mostly, I still don't fully grasp what happened. I mean I remember it as clear as day, and I know the emotions that I felt but they are still confusing." She spoke with a voice bordering a whisper.

"What are mostly confused about?" She wasn't letting her off easily, as she gave Hinata a knowing look.

"Um… I-I guess m-mainly about G-Gaara…" She trailed off as she continued to look down at the ground refusing to meet Temari's eyes.

"You know you need to talk to him soon right?" Hinata looked up at her for a split second before pushing herself up off the bed and walked towards the window.

"I-I… I-I don't k-know about t-that or h-how I-I… how can I w-when I don't e-even understand the emotions that… ah thinking about him brings… err I-I don't…" She couldn't form the right sentences to explain how she felt. Temari rose from the bed and headed to the door; she turned herself slight to face Hinata.

"Well he's not going to stay away forever. He's giving you space but you are still in his village and it is his duty to make sure that you are alright. So expect that he will probably visit you sometime this week." Temari spoke in a more formal tone as she opened the door and headed out. Hinata sighed to herself, falling back on the bed she stared up at the ceiling. Trying to sort her emotions and thoughts out was a difficult thing. She knew she felt something before Naruto had shown up, and she was beginning to come to terms with it, but then the kiss happened, which probably would have been fine had she been in the right mind. It all seemed to come back to the same thing, and she still didn't have any more answers for herself then she did before.

'So hold my hand, I'll walk with you, my dear'

Gaara sat behind his desk trying to go through the paper work that had accumulated over the day. The sun was beginning to set when he looked up from the papers and noticed that the time had been slipping away. He knew he was distracted, but there was clearly nothing he could do about it until he talked to her. He had been worried that she had gone back to the state she had been before so he asked Temari to check in on her and make sure she was alright. That had been hours ago and he still had yet to hear from her, Kankuro had even been there to drop off the report and medic reports on the other two Konoha ninja's. Luckily Sakura had been saved, she had suffered the most from Hinata's attack, and Naruto had the luck of having the Kyuubi in him who allowed him to heal much faster than any normal ninja. He growled in frustration, there had just been too much happening in the last couple weeks, and on top of that he had to sort out his feelings for the dark haired girl that constant occupied his mind. The knock on the door brought his mind back to reality. "Enter" He called out to the intruder, the door swung open to reveal a slightly frustrated Temari. "Ah you're finally back. Uh is everything alright?" He asked her with his normal cold tone. Temari sighed as she sat down on the edge of the desk.

"She's still not ready." Gaara stared at her, furrowing his non-existent brows. "I have tried everything to get her to talk to you, to Naruto even Kankuro. But she simply won't talk to anyone." She sighed again placing her hand on her forehead.

"I am no longer going to wait then." He frowned.

"She'll hate you then." Temari added with a shrug.

"I haven't done anything wrong. I have waited long enough, it's been three weeks." His tone remained cold despite the emotions he was feeling. Temari simply shrugged again.

"Do whatever you think you must do but I think she might end up leaving; I think it's hard for her to be here… because of what happened and all." Gaara's gaze moved to the door, sighing inward, he rose from the desk and made his way to the door.

"Then it will be her choice, but she still needs to talk to me before she makes the decision."

'The stairs creak as I sleep, it's keeping me awake. It's the house telling you to close your eyes'

Hinata was pacing around the room lost in her thoughts. Part of her wanted to stay and figure things out but the other part of her was afraid to be here and wanted to leave. The broken memories that were left behind, fragments of hers as well as his, she was struggling trying to determine reality from the constant fog that invaded her mind. The more she thought about it the more she wondered if maybe the kiss was really a fragment of a dream and not real like she seemed to think it had been. But how it felt real, how she felt when it happened it had almost seemed right. She flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling again. Her bags had been packed she was ready to leave, for the moment it seemed like the right thing to do. She caused the village of sand much trouble and until she could sort out her feelings she needed to be home, with the people who hated her but at least they would leave her be. "I can't do this anymore." She whispered to herself as she closed her eyes to rest for a bit before the trip home.

'And some days I can't even trust myself'

Gaara stood outside her door debating whether to knock or not. He didn't quite understand why she didn't want to see him, it's not like this was his fault so why was she punishing him. He rose his hand up and tapped the door lightly. Silence answered him. Maybe she was sleeping? Or had she already left? 'No if she was going to leave she would be going with Sakura and Naruto.' He thought, turning to leave he gave her door a last look before deciding on a different way in. Exiting the build he jumped on to the rooftop, slowly he jump down on to the ledge of her window and slid inside. She was asleep on the bed; her hair was spread around her like a fan. She looked somewhat peaceful, the paleness from before had gradually gone away, leaving her with the flawless skin that he had come accustom to. He quietly walked towards the bed, sitting down beside her, she didn't stir. His fingers found her face and began to trace her cheek down to her chin. "Beautiful" he murmured to himself, his fingers slowly brushing away loose strands of her hair. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, she stared contently at him.

"Gaara?" Her soft voice called. "Why are you in here?" Her widened and she bolted up in her bed. "Whaa…" he stopped her from speaking by placing his finger to her mouth.

"I've wanted to talk to you. I don't like being pushed away like you have been doing for the past three weeks." His words were straight forward, his eyes never leaving hers. She was the first to break eye contact as she looked down at her hands.

"I… I'm sorry." Her words were whispered. "I-I can't stay I-I'm s-sorry." She cursed herself for stuttering in his presence. He frowned at her words and stood walking towards the window.

"I suppose if that is so I won't try to stop you then..." 'Even if it goes against my better judgement' he left the last part unsaid. The hurt was in his eyes but he refused to allow her to see it. Before she could utter a response he jumped out of the window, once landing on the ground he disappeared leaving sand as the only evidence he had been there. Hinata sighed to herself, now standing at the window looking off in the direction she knew he would be.

"I'm sorry, but I'm leaving because I'm afraid that I have fallen in love with you." She whispered those words to the wind.

'It's killing me to see you this way'

Naruto sat inside Gaara's office waiting for him to return, despite the words of his sister he need to talk to him before leaving that afternoon. Gaara silently strode into the office, catching sight of Naruto he sighed.

"What do you want? Shouldn't be at the gate preparing to leave?" He asked in his deadpan tone. Naruto stood up and turned to face him, his face was stone and his voice serious.

"You are not about to let her walk out of your life I know you won't. Because if you do then you are the stupidest man alive, come on you save her life and just because she says she leaving you're just going to let her." Gaara turned his face to the window and stared at the village below him.

"It's not my place to stop her. If she wants to leave then it's her choice. Clearly we both don't feel the same." His words didn't feel like his own but it mattered not since to him they were true.

"Idiot" Gaara turned to face him; he raised his non-existent eye brow at him. "Letting her leave when she does have feelings for you makes you an idiot. If you don't want to believe it fine but you're missing the perfect opportunity. So I guess I'll see you next time you're in Konoha." With that said he turned and headed for the door, leaving Gaara to his thoughts.

'You're gone, gone, gone away I watched you disappear'

The journey to Konoha had been a quiet one, Naruto had tried to speak to Hinata but she had taken off fast so that she was well ahead of them muttering something about being in front to watch for danger in other words I have nothing to say to you so I'll just go on ahead of you. When they had finally reached the gates Hinata headed straight to the Hokage's office to hand off her report before heading towards the Hyuuga compound. Upon entering she notice her father was there to greet her, which had been strange since he had never cared before.

"Welcome home my daughter; I trust the mission was successful." She nodded, briefly before coming out with a more appropriate answer.

"Y-Yes father the mission went well. There was little to no problems and I don't believe there should be any reason for me to return." She had managed to stop her stutter for the most port surprising even her father. He nodded at her response before turning and heading off towards the study. Recognizing this as dismissal she headed to her room, not wanting to be bothered by anyone else.

'All that's left is the ghost of you.'

Gaara wandered through the village, as it was now night and he could not sleep. Looking around you wouldn't be able to tell that a fight took place or that anything was amiss, but Gaara knew he would forever be left with the memories of what happened. He eventually found himself at the training grounds even in the darkness he could make out the wooden poles that he been damaged by use. He thought about the first time he had seen her here. She had been sitting on the bench thinking about what happened between Naruto and her. He sighed to himself for what seemed like the thousandth time, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe Naruto had been right. He knew he had fallen for her, he knew the since the duel at the beginning of her trip here. 'I'm stupid.' A simple thought held more truth then he had been willing to admit. He ran his hand through his red hair, while he continued to mentally scold himself. 'I need to find a way to let her know how I feel.' As he slowly walked back towards the tower he figured he would ask his siblings for help.

Morning came sooner then he thought it would, after spending the night on the roof top continuing his mental fight. He watched the sun rise, people slowly exiting their homes ready to start the day. He sighed to himself and slowly made his way inside to seek out Temari, after deciding that she would likely be the better choice to ask about these sorts of things. Temari sat at one of the stools of the fair size kitchen they shared; she looked up as he entered.

"Good morning Gaara." She spoke with her as cheery as she could possibly be voice, which is not that cheery. He nodded at her as he poured himself some tea, before walking over to the other stool.

"Temari, I have something I need your help with." She watched him expectantly and nodded for him to continue. "Lately I have been having thoughts and I don't know how to act upon them. Before Naruto left he told me I was and idiot." Temari snorted at that but kept silence urging him to continue. "I fell for her." Temari smiled at him knowingly.

"I know, it was it little hard to tell at first but after you saved her, it was clear as day. You need to go to her." She smiled as she stood up beckoning him to follow. "You have to let her know and you can't let her just brush it off. She likes you, but I think she was afraid to admit it because of Naruto breaking her heart." Gaara's eyes found the floor as he followed Temari to council hall.

"I don't even know where to start." He paused as he thought. "She probably moved on anyways." Temari shook her head. 'Men there are so thick sometimes.' They entered the hall for the meeting, six older men stood by their seats bowing as the Gaara entered. He nodded to them as he took his seat, Temari and Kankuro flank his sides as they began the meeting.

'Now we're torn, torn, torn apart, there's nothing we can do'

Hiashi stood outside his daughter's door, he and elders had talked and they figured it was the best for Hinata to be married off to make way for Hanabi to become the leader of the clan. In his heart he knew he was making the right choice, he knew Hinata really hadn't wanted to be the next leader. He also knew he had never given her enough credit making it out to seem like he hated her, which was exactly the opposite. He loved her more then she could ever know, and he felt now as if he was freeing her from a life she didn't want. He raised his hand to the door and lightly tapped it. He could her shuffling, before the door opened to reveal Hinata. "Yes father?" Her voice sound rough which worried him, clearing his throat he began the start of the conversation that would either make her happy or anger her more.

"Daughter there are things that I would l like to discuss with you in regards of the future of the clan, as you are still the heiress. Please follow me to the office where we may talk undisturbed." His voice was clear and sharp, and she would not be one to be dishonourable. She gave him a nod and followed behind him towards his office. Once inside he closed the door, and pointed to the chair. "It has come to the attention of the council of Elders that some decisions need to be set for Hanabi to become the next leader of the clan. You have now been over looked as the leader because they feel you are not strong enough to lead the clan." Her face fell at his words, she felt like someone had just slapped her in the face, as she hope returning from Suna would prove the she is more than ready to take over. "As such they have come to the choice of marrying you off to a family of great power in another village. It was hard to agree to this choice but as I was out numbered in the vote I had to agree. Hinata I care about your happiness more then you realize, and I hope the choice of suitor will be to your liking. At the upcoming Sakura Festival you will meet you're soon to be husband, and I hope that as my daughter you will make me proud by accepting this without complaint." He turned and looked at her trying to understand how she felt about it.

"I-I" She stopped, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. This was for the best; she needed to forget Naruto and Gaara as neither of them would happen, especially Naruto since he destroyed her heart. Her eyes hardened and she looked her father straight in the eye. "I accept." She uttered the words with much strength; she knew there would be no going back and no running away. This was her destiny now to become a wife and remain a strong ninja in the process.

'Just let me go we'll meet again soon'

"MARRIAGE!" Temari yelled out with anger. "You can't ask that! That is not fair." The head elder Akito shook his head.

"It is perfectly in our right as council to ask this. Your father was met with the same decision. We strive on keeping the Kazekages in your family line, so this must be done." He said with finality to his words. Gaara frown but nodded in acceptance. "Now Konaha has chosen one of the oldest clans, if you don't accept it will be dishonourable." Again Gaara nodded.

"Do we know the clan that has been chosen?" Akito nodded.

"It will be one of the daughters of Hiashi Hyuuga, the daughter who is not in line to become the leader of their clan." Gaara sighed. She apparently had a sister and now he would be marrying her, just his luck.

"I'll accept." His words were clear, and void of any emotion. "If this is what is to be expected then I cannot turn my back on my duty." He said staring straight at Akito not flinching in the slightest.

"Then Kazekage-sama it has been decided. You will travel to Konaha for the Sakura festival where you will meet your future bride." Akito finished, slowly standing and headed for the door, the other elders followed suit, bowing to Gaara as they left. Gaara remain seated, he could hear his sibling beside him but whatever they were saying was just mumbles.

"Gaara are you even listening?" He caught sight of Temari's hand waving in front of him. He moved his eyes to hers and gave her his full attention. "I said what are you going to do about your feelings for Hinata if you're being forced to marry someone from her family?" He looked down at the table before him and contemplated his word.

"There is nothing to do, I have to push the feeling aside and move on. This is for the better of the village despite my personal feelings. To which she clearly had none since she was the one that left." With that said he whispered a jutsu and disappeared in a wisp of sand. Temari sighed and looked at Kankuro.

"Well now what?" She asked him. He shrugged at her not really sure of what to do.

"It's his choice in the end and he chose to give up his feelings for the village, he is the Kazekage, he probably knew this would happen eventually. Best we can do is going with him and supporting whatever happens.

'Now wait, wait, wait for me please hang around'

Hinata sat out in the garden contemplating her future now, her father had told it would be someone from Suna but the who it was left out as they didn't actually know who it was only the council of elders from the village had contacted Konoha and asked that a bride be chosen from a prestige clan. And well the Hyuuga's are the oldest clan now since the Uchiha's had died out long ago and well Sasuke had been the only one alive up to recent. She sighed as she felt a presence near her, another clan member whose chakra signature she could never forget. "Yes Neji-san?" Her voice was soft as a whisper, but held the emotion she had been trying to conceal. He walked up to her and knelt beside her.

"I heard from Hiashi-sama that you are being married off to someone from Suna." She nodded not wanting to accept the fact that she would be returning to that village and returning to feelings she would have to give up on. "I just wanted you to know that I believe in you, and I know you will make the best wife to whomever you marry." There was a genuine smile on his face as he looked at her; she was slight taken back by it because she never pegged Neji to be someone who would care for her.

"Thank you Neji-san for the kind words, I know I should have expected this sooner than later but I can't help to feel like it is happening too fast." He looked at her and nodded in agreement.

"Yes the elders are acting on it fast I suppose they don't expect Hiashi to be around much long and want to see the next leader being prepped and ready for when the time comes." He sighed, and slowly stood to leave her to her thoughts.

"Ah thank you Neji-san." She smiled up at him, the change in how she felt about him was fast, she respected him and all he had done to help her through his kind words meant the world to her. He smiled back nodding before disappearing towards the compound. Hinata looked towards the garden; the flowers were blooming in the light spring air, her mind drift towards the red head that had been in her thoughts since leaving Suna. "It's time for me to give up on those feelings Gaara, as we aren't going to ever have the chance to make them become anything more. I'm sorry I ran away and I'm sorry for this." She whispered to the wind silently hoping it would reach him but knowing it wouldn't.

'I'll see you when I fall asleep'

Wow I think this is the longest chapter yet and if you can tell I'm definitely going on with it so this is not the end there should be a least one more chapter. I think it can easily be seen where this is going, I can insure this will have a great ending or well least I hope it does. Anyways the song is Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men, beautiful group with beautiful songs that are all worth listening to.