I was bribed by Riiceballe to update this one! She gave me cookies…Internet cookies!!!!!!!! Yay!

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Sasuke glanced around this place call Suna. It was a little warm, but he stood in awe. He had never seen such a big sandbox in his whole life! His little body itched to play, but the urge quickly passed as he noticed a tall cloaked shinobi approaching the group.

"Welcome to Suna. I've been instructed to guide you to your quarters and show you around for the festival." The man said as he removed his clock to reveal a painted face and a black outfit.

"Hiya Kankuro!" Naruto eagerly said as he recognized the Kazakage's brother. "Can you show me where the best ramen place is? Can ya?"

Kankuro inwardly groaned. Did this guy ever calm down? True he was less annoying now then when he was younger, but Kankuro could only tolerate him in small, very small doses. He almost pitied the group that had to travel with the future hokage. Glancing at the Hyugas, Kankuro couldn't help but feel sorry for his brother. When he returned from Konoha a few weeks ago, he just sat in his room, not talking or eating or sleeping…which wasn't that unusual, but he seemed almost broken. The Hyuga heiress must be a very special person to affect Gaara so much. And then there was the last problem…the Uchihas. By nature, Suna was very distrusting and they did not welcome unstable "monsters" into their village, though Gaara had lived his whole life there. The council of Suna feared the Uchiha still, memories or not, the two were still very dangerous to keep around. The question had been, where were the Uchiha going to stay while they were in the village. Half of the council wanted to keep the Uchiha on the outskirts of the village, while the other half wanted to keep them close so they could monitor their every movement. In the end, it was decided to keep all the Konoha nin on the Kazekage estate since 2 of the guests were personal friends of Gaara, and the Konoha nin could keep the Uchiha in line should something occur.

"Naruto, you've been here enough to know where the raman stand is." Kankuro dryly said. "The festival starts tonight, and you will all be staying on the Kazekage estates. After I show you your quarters feel free to walk around or what ever you want." He said as he started to walk off.

"Ah, are we staying in the same rooms from our meeting here a few months ago?" Hinata quietly asked.

Pausing Kankuro thought back. "Um, yeah, just the Uchiha will be in one of the rooms there too."

Smiling Hinata turned to her cousin with big puppy eyes. "Well, then Neji-nisan…can you take the luggage? I want to explore the festival before it gets crowded…please." She begged like a little child.

Neji was about to refuse, it was the duty of the Heiress to be dignified, but she hadn't looked so excited in awhile he couldn't refuse her. "Fine Hinata-sama, however, do not stay out too late, you have your duties."

Pouncing on this opportunity, Naruto spoke, "Hey Itachi, how bout we let Sasuke go with Hinata-chan? He can have a little fun while we get settled in!"

Eyes flashed in annoyance, opening his mouth to speak, Itachi was cut off by Neji.

"Actually, Hinata would be able to explain Suna culture to him while they walk and he would be able to see more since its not so crowded right now." Neji said, knowing full well that Itachi was a strict man, and a strict man did not like the idea of 'fun.'

Taking a deep breath, Itachi said, "Fine." since he could find no fault with that reasoning, though he did not like his son clinging to that woman so much like a weakling. However, he did not wish to insult the Hyuga at the moment.

Naruto gave a knowing wink to Neji. Maybe this would be easier then he thought. Itachi frowned, seeing the obvious wink the Uzamaki sent to the Hyuga. They were up to something.

Neji cringed. Naruto still had no clue about subtlety. Taking Hinata's bags he quickly followed Kankuro so not to arouse any more suspicion from Itachi, as Hinata extended her hand to Sasuke.

"Would you like to join me, Sasuke-kun?" She said with a smile.

A faint blush tinted his cheeks as he nodded and took her hand. He liked Hinata-san.

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"Gaara-sama, the Konoha nin have arrived." A messenger reported.

"Did she come?" Gaara asked without looking up from his paper work.

"Hai, Gaara-sama. She is with the Uchiha boy and walking about the village."

"Dismissed." Gaara ordered.

"Hai, Gaara-sama." The messenger bowed as he exited the office.

Pausing from his work, Gaara took a deep breath. 'Hinata…' He thought. He had hoped she would not come, he did not know how to face her now. Closing his eyes, he could picture her serene face, her warm smile, her pure heart.

His heart clenched. He knew he had made her cry. He was truly a monster for making her cry.

"Gaara-san? Are you alright?" A quiet voice asked.

Gaara frowned at that voice. It was her…his wife. He did not love her. He would never love her. She was not the one he loved.

"I've told you not to call me that." He sternly spoke. "You are my wife. I will not hurt you."

"Forgive me…Gaara." She said as she bowed. The man frightened her. He truly frightened her.

Sighing, he stood up. "You were chosen for obedience. Not for love. You knew that. I will not love you, nor do I expect love from you. Tolerance is all we will have for each other." He said as he walked to the woman. "All I want from you is obedience." He stared into her eyes. Fear. She feared him. It hurt him a little, to be married to one that feared him. He was certain all his wives would fear him. "Obey me, and no harm shall ever come to you." He coldly said as he walked past his wife.

He could only love himself, since he had no right to love her anymore.

Shaking, the woman collapsed to the ground as Gaara left his office. She believed he would not harm her if she obeyed him And she knew he would never love her. He was incapable of love. However, she had heard the rumors. Rumors that the Kazakage loved a kunoichi of Konoha. It had to be false, because the man she was married to had no love in his body. However, fear seized her again. What if? What if the rumors were true, and she could not do what a Konoha woman could do. What if his other wives could make him love them? Would she be killed in favor for another wife? Gaara's love was rare, but if it existed it guaranteed a long life, one she was not sure she would want as the wife of the Kazekage, but her fear had to make certain that no such woman existed that could bring out his love.

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A.N.

Yeah…there is an OC…sorry…I don't even know what to call her yet…but the only sand girl I know is Temari…and that would be so WRONG.

Anyway happy New Year! I'm out till next year!