Gaara awoke slowly and looked around. Wait…this wasn't his and Naruto's room…Gaara went to sit up, but then winced and held his side. Gaara tried to search his memory. What happened? Gaara's eyes widened. Hinata! Haku! Gaara, slowly this time, tried to sit up, but was unable to. Gaara groaned as he fell back onto the pillow. How did Gatou's men even get passed his sand? The only person able to do that was his father and Naruto, but they were able to go the speed of light. The door opened and Gaara turned, "Gaara!" Naruto yelled and ran in, "Are you okay?"
"I can't sit up," Gaara said deadpanned, "How do you think I feel?"
Naruto didn't say anything. Gaara gave his brother a sad look, "Sorry," he said softly, "I shouldn't be sarcastic at a time like this. How long have I been out?"
"Long enough for Gatou to tell us why he took Hinata-chan and Haku," Naruto said sitting down.
"Wasn't it because Hinata was a Hyuuga?" Gaara asked.
"Gatou has no interest in the Shinobi World other than they can be hired for just about anything," Naruto stated, "He took Hinata-chan to stop us from contacting Konoha or Tou-chan and Haku…because he doesn't trust Zabuza."
Gaara looked at his brother, "I'm sorry, Naruto," he said, "I didn't think-"
"It's not your fault," Naruto said, "Kakashi-nii was right. We weren't ready for this. We should've listened to him and-" Gaara slapped Naruto, "Ow!"
"Who are you and what have you done with my little brother?" Gaara said seriously.
"Gaara…" Naruto said sadly.
Gaara sighed, "Naruto, quit blaming yourself," he said, "I'm the one who suggested the plan. I'm the one who didn't watch out for Hinata. It's not your fault."
"It's not yours!" Naruto said, close to tears.
"Naruto…" Gaara said, "Hinata's strong, you know this," the blonde looked at his brother, "Stop treating her like she's some porcelain doll and like the kunoichi she is. You can't protect her from everything."
Naruto gripped his hair, "I know," he said, "But ever since that day…I just…"
"You're protective," Gaara stated, "All us Namikazes are, Naruto. Heck, Itachi's worse than us at times and he's an Uchiha. It's normal to feel protective over our friends, but we have to know that they can handle themselves at times."
Naruto smiled and nodded, "Great," Gaara stated, "Now help me off this mat."
Naruto was hesitant, but did so. Naruto helped his brother out of the room, "Gaara, you shouldn't be up," Kakashi stated annoyed.
Gaara rolled his eyes, "You know as well as I do that Shukaku-san will heal me faster if I don't just sit around," he stated.
Kakashi sighed, "What's Zabuza doing here?" Gaara asked confused.
"Uh…Naruto talked for about five minutes and now he's suddenly on our side," Sasuke stated, "Not sure how that works…"
Zabuza gave Sasuke a look that said 'If Haku wasn't in danger and I needed you brats, you'd be dead'. Gaara blinked once then looked at his younger brother, "Since when did you have a Talk Jutsu?" he asked.
Naruto laughed nervously, "Haku kinda reminded me of you, Nee-chan, and Nii-chan's situation so I kinda took my anger and frustration for the Kazekage on Zabuza…sorry, Zabuza…"
Zabuza looked at Naruto, "What's this about Suna's leader?" he asked.
"Long, complicated story," Kakashi stated, "But seeing how we can't do anything until Gaara's healed up, might as well have story time."
Naruto helped Gaara sit beside Tazuna's grandson, Inari, "Would you like to tell the story, Gaara?" Kakashi asked.
"I was a baby," Gaara stated, "I just know what Kaa-chan and Tou-chan told me. Plus, I really don't care who tells it."
Kakashi sighed, but began to tell the story of how and why the three children of the Kazekage came to be the children of Konoha's Yellow Flash and Yondaime Hokage.
Hinata groaned softly before opening her eyes slowly, "Please don't move," Hinata's eyes snapped open and looked at Haku, "You are injured."
Hinata blinked, "Haku-kun?" she asked.
"I'm afraid we've been captured by Gatou," Haku stated as he wrapped Hinata's arm, "Gomen, I assume he took me because he doesn't trust Zabuza-san."
"That's true," Hinata slowly sat up, despite Haku's protests, "But he took me because he wants my team to hesitate in calling for help."
"You were awake when we were captured?" Haku asked.
"Hai, but I don't know what happened to Gaara-kun and Tazuna-san," Hinata said, "Or Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, and Kakashi-sensei for that matter…"
"Then…why are you injured?" Haku asked.
"I…" Hinata looked away, "Somehow, the attack of Gatou's men got passed Gaara-kun's sand. Gaara-kun was injured and…they were going to take him. I couldn't let them for multiple reasons. So I blocked another blow to Gaara-kun and told Gatou that if he wanted to take someone then I would be the better choice, which is true if he ever looks into the Shinobi World."
"Why couldn't they take this Gaara-kun?" Haku asked, "Does it really matter who the hostage is?"
Hinata closed her eyes, "Because Naruto-kun would do something stupid and not listen to Kakashi-sensei," she opened her eyes, "Naruto-kun and Gaara-kun are brothers and both are protective over their family. All Namikazes are."
Haku's eyes widened, "They're children of the Hokage?" he hissed lowly.
"Hai," Hinata stated, "But not only that…Naruto-kun and Gaara-kun are the Jinchuurikis of the Ichibi, Shukaku-san, and the Kyuubi, Kurama-san," Haku's eyes widened, "They can't be angered too much or the Bijuu's chakra can slip out. Naruto-kun probably would've lost control if Gaara-kun was captured, but…I may be his childhood friend and he may worry, but he's not going to lose control. The last reason I had to come instead of Gaara-kun is because of this," she held up her bag.
Haku showed confusion. Hinata smiled and opened it. She pulled out the three pointed kunai and showed Haku the seal, "I…still don't understand," Haku stated.
"Let's just say Naruto got more from his father than just his looks," Hinata said smiling and putting the kunai back in the bag.
Haku was about to ask more questions, but the door opened, "Oh, you're both up, good," Gatou walked in with his cane, "Very good."
Hinata and Haku didn't say anything, but glared at Gatou, "Nothing to say?" Gatou smirked, stopping in front of them.
"Nothing that wouldn't have my mother rolling in her grave," Hinata stated bitterly.
Gatou laughed and grabbed Hinata's chin, "You know, if your eyes weren't so pale and lifeless, you might actually be kinda pretty, girl," Hinata broke away.
"Pedophile," Hinata snapped.
Gatou smirked, "Don't worry, you'll be released once Tazuna is dead," he stated.
"My friends won't let that happen," Hinata stated, "It doesn't matter if you hold me hostage."
Gatou frowned at Hinata, "Believe in them that strongly, huh?" he asked.
"I'll always believe in Naruto-kun," Hinata glared.
Haku looked at Hinata with slight shock. Gatou grabbed Hinata's short hair and pulled her towards him, "Hinata-san!" Haku yelled.
"Well then…" Gatou stated, "Let's make sure they know we mean business…" one of Gatou's men came over and unsheathed his sword.
Hinata cried out in pain as she was cut through her jacket. After about five cuts, Gatou removed Hinata's jacket and threw her easily over to Haku, who began worrying over her. Hinata ignored Haku's worry and glared at Gatou, while panting slightly. Gatou smirked and held up her jacket, "This should be enough proof, ne?" he asked, "Get the bag and we'll deliver it with the jacket."
Hinata grabbed her bag, but was kicked away from it, "Hinata-san!" Haku yelled.
Hinata coughed up a little blood, staying on the ground this time, "Stupid girl," Gatou said has he left with the jacket, bag, and men.
Hinata's breathing was ridged, "Hinata-san…" Haku said worried, "Why did you do all that? You knew he was going to hurt you if you did."
"Maybe," Hinata said, "But he forgot about hurting you to use against Zabuza," Haku went wide eyed, "Plus," Hinata removed her hand from under her stomach, revealing the three pointed kunai, "I needed to keep this with me."
Haku was shocked, "You…you…baka…" Haku quickly ran and got the first aid kit in the room before running back, "You didn't have to do all that."
Hinata smiled, "There's a reason Naruto-kun was trying to help you," she said as Haku wrapped her wounds, "You remind him of his older siblings situation," Haku blinked in confusion and Hinata smiled, "It's a long story."
"Well, we've probably got a long stay here," Haku stated.
"True," Hinata stated, "I wasn't actually there when it happened, but I can tell you what Hokage-sama told us."
Haku just nodded and Hinata began to explain the story, unaware that she and Kakashi were telling the same story.
A/N Okay, so the question that I'll probably get a lot is "Why aren't Hinata and Haku fighting back?" Haku should be rather obvious. Gatou is still his client. As for Hinata, she may have a little more confidence, but she's still not the best at believing in herself. She watched Gatou somehow get through Gaara's sand, which is one of the best defenses she knows about. But this Hinata isn't weak-the Canon Hinata isn't either—she isn't just going to let Haku be hurt, even if she has to be on the break of death. Okay, I own nothing! Please leave a review! Please and Thank you!