Chapter Eleven
Hinata rubbed some tears away furiously. She was mad, genuinely mad at Neji and herself. He had come so close to the truth and it hurt. . .
It wasn't enough she had to give up her dream of being with Naruto and one day marrying him. No, she couldn't even pretend to date without being a horrible person. It wasn't even her idea! And she was being blamed!
Hinata cringed into herself and she rested her face on her arms desolately. She had watched the blond for a long time. She had watched him struggle from dead last in the academy to arguably one of the strongest ninjas of their time. Every time someone had told Naruto that it couldn't be done then the blond would nearly kill himself if he had to just to prove them wrong.
His indomitable will and unbreakable determination had captured her attention and kept her enthralled to present day. Unfortunately, it was also what would ruin her romantic dreams because she knew better than anyone that when he got an idea into his head . . . It was there to stay.
The moment Naruto had walked onto the field that day and saw them together, in what he thought was a compromising position, it was over. She would forever be with Gaara in his mind and nothing short of death could change it.
She sighed to herself and then smiled ruefully since she wasn't about to kill the Kazekage. She had resigned herself to being his friend. She wasn't happy about it but she had accepted it. Her only consolation prize was Naruto was determined to comfort her and try to cheer her up by 'fixing' the problem.
Then Gaara had given her hope as he reappeared in the village. Explaining in detail how they would play into Naruto's assumption, lure the blond into their game, and then peacefully end it, in a way that he couldn't protest. Then in a couple years she could try to confess that she liked Naruto and, hopefully, the blond would come around.
At least that had been the plan until Gaara had revealed his mistake.
No one tried harder than Naruto to accomplish anything he set his mind to and now he expected them to try just as hard at a relationship that didn't even exist! She had known she, and the plan, was doomed from that first walk together. She just hadn't realized how much it would hurt. How it would free everyone into telling her their true opinion of her.
She cringed still completely mortified that the entire village had known her deepest secret, everyone but the boy himself.
Had she really been so obvious? Was she really so pathetic?
Well, no more, she would always admire Naruto but no longer would she pine for him. She would really be pathetic if she kept hoping . . . No more.
They would always be friends and nothing more.
Resolved, if a little heartbroken, she bid her mother's grave a quick goodbye. It always made her feel at least a little better to visit when she was having a hard time. She got to her feet and made her way to the hotel that housed visiting dignitaries.
She kept her head high as people started whispering and pointing at her. She didn't flinch as some laughed mockingly in her direction. She almost didn't stop as a younger kunoichi stepped into her path.
"I don't get it," the brunette sneered, "What would he see in you?"
Hinata blinked, "Do I know you?"
"No, we don't run in the same circles," she narrowed her eyes, "I'm not from a pretentious clan and I don't ride on my teammate's coattails to get by."
Hinata didn't react visibly, "I'm sorry you feel that way but I must be going." She went to step around the brunette and was blocked.
"So I'm not important enough to talk to?" She glared oddly vibrant gray eyes and her hand inched toward her weapon's pouch.
"You said yourself that we don't run in the same circles," Hinata raised two fingers and nonchalantly poked a point in her shoulder.
The brunette gave a cry as her arm went limp and before she could raise the other arm in defense Hinata tapped that side as well.
"If we did then you would know a Hyuuga never rides on anyone's coattails," Hinata explained with perfect poise, "We strive for perfection and never fail to deliver."
Hinata tapped the girl's forehead and the kunoichi was not. She fell bonelessly and no one attempted to catch her.
Hinata stepped over the girl gracefully and continued on her way. She would not be stopped. Not now.
She made her way deftly to Gaara's suite, thankful, she had the foresight to inquire about there whereabouts beforehand. She knocked firmly and straightened her spine. It was time to let the Kazekage know exactly where she stood in his plan.
The door opened and a pair of brown eyes widened at the sight of her, "Hey, Gaara! You're girlfriend's here!"
She was grabbed and pulled into the suite with a startled eep!
Kankuro slung an arm companionably around her shoulders, "Temari, get out here! She's here!"
Hinata flinched at the contact and then jumped at a loud bang.
Temari came flying at them, the door that had hit the wall swung back violently almost hitting Gaara as he followed her out. The blonde paid no attention as she zeroed in on Hinata. "Kankuro, get your grubby hands off her."
Kankuro drew her closer, his arms circling her waist, "You're just jealous I got her first."
Hinata turned a mortified red.
Temari snarled and snagged her arm and managed to yank her halfway out of Kankuro's arms before he grabbed her other arm.
"No, she's mine!" The puppeteer refused to let go, "I get to talk to her first!"
"No, I'm the oldest!" Temari also refused to concede, "You had your chance and you wasted it. She's mine!"
Gaara just watched as his siblings played a modified version of tug of war as they each tried to use brute force to take their desired prize but without using enough of it to hurt Hinata who was the improvised rope.
He sighed and made his way toward them. He didn't stop as he reached Hinata, instead he just wrapped his arms around her, lifted, and kept right on walking. His siblings were too stunned to protest as he walked out the door.
He set her down once they were safely in the hallway and the door was firmly closed. He gave her a quick once-over, "You appear unharmed."
"W-Why w-were-" Hinata bit her tongue and opened her mouth to start again when Gaara shrugged indifferently.
"They have never made much sense to me outside of combat," he paused and eyed the door, "Maybe a walk."
She heard scrambling noises coming from behind the door, "That would be nice."
He inclined his head for her to lead the way.
She chewed her bottom lip for a moment and then nodded to herself as she chose their destination.
"Naruto was called away for a mission," Gaara informed her and she nodded her understanding that they would talk freely as they hit the once more bustling street.
"I think it's time to part peacefully," she intoned softly.
His eyes snapped to her and narrowed dangerously, "We still have three days."
She was serenity personified as she met his gaze, "I believe our original intentions have gone awry-"
"Is this change of heart because I asked to touch you?" He demanded as he planted his feet in the middle of the crowded street.
"No, that wasn't it at all," she protested weakly.
"You can touch me anytime!" A random person catcalled, making her painfully aware of the people around them. Watching them.
Gaara didn't pay them any attention as blatant distrust entered his eyes as well as a hint of . . . disappointment?
"That isn't - I mean - I said you could touch me and I meant it," she finally managed and then swallowed as he stepped into her personal space.
His eyes were sharp as he lifted a hand and slowly spread his fingers. He reached out to grip the back of her neck and when she didn't protest he pulled her forward abruptly, so close their noses nearly brushed.
She gasped as her hands came up reflexively to rest on his chest but she didn't push him away.
"You were startled but not frightened," he noted dryly as he studied her eyes, "Explain."
She shook her head, not understanding.
"Why?" He demanded softly.
Her lower lip trembled before she could bite it as her eyes closed, "Am I really so pathetic?"
He straightened a bit in surprise, where had this come from? The only reason he had heard her at all was their proximity.
"What did she say?"
"Ssh!"
Gaara immediately sought out the source of the voices only to blink as he realized the whole street was watching them. Everyone immediately averted their faces and pretended to be occupied.
Her hands tightened in his shirt and she lowered her head to his chest in an effort to hide her face.
He glanced at her in surprise and then gathered her close in some forgotten instinct to shield her from harm. He flashed some hand signs and transported them to a more remote location.
He regarded the woman in his arms with some mild panic as to what to do with her. If she were unconscious then he would just lay her down and wait for her to wake up. He didn't have that option here. He might have also put distance between them until she recovered herself, however, recent experiences with Temari discouraged that action. For while, he was not as close to Hinata, as he was to his sister, she was no stranger and had agreed to assist him. It would be discourteous and, besides, Temari had gathered herself together just fine after a short time. He was sure Hinata would do the same.
"You think you are pathetic?" He asked hesitantly.
She nodded.
"Why?"
"It's just - I -" She pulled away to look at him, "Everyone knows! Everyone knows I liked Naruto and . . ." Her gaze lowered to his chest where her hands still clutched his shirt, " . . . they pitied me for it." She lifted her teary gaze then, "Am I pathetic? Do you pity me?"
"I . . . don't know what to say . . ." Gaara was at a loss. He had never been in this type of situation before and he was caught completely flatfooted. Usually Temari would step in about now or Kankuro would have diverted the situation before it even came to this point. He was alone and had no idea what to do.
"Be honest," she shook him a little, "Tell me what you really think!"
"No, I don't pity you," he swallowed, "I do not know why people would think you are pathetic-"
"It's because of Naruto," she interrupted, "I have liked him since the academy and everyone knew!"
"He didn't," Gaara frowned and reached out to grasp her face in his hands, "I cannot say if that is pathetic. I have no life experiences to draw from to answer your question. I only know I would kill to have someone who had feelings for me . . . "
He pulled her close again and her breath caught in her throat as his eyes burned into hers.
". . . and when I found her," his hands slipped into her hair, "I would never let her go."
His eyes softened then and he let her go.
"Not pathetic at all and only a dream for some."
Tears spilled over her cheeks then unnoticed, "I'm sure there's someone-"
"No, there wouldn't be anyone for me," he tilted his head, "I thank you for the thought."
She glanced down and found her hands curled against her chest, "This plan isn't going to work."
Gaara reached out and touched his fingertips to her wet cheek. He pulled back to examine his wet fingertips, "Why not?"
"Because . . ." she bit her lip, "He's seen us together. He's already decided that we belong together and nothing will change his mind."
Gaara studied her for minute, "We will change his mind."
"No," she shook her head, "Even if we part peacefully, he will still try to push us together."
"He promised he wouldn't," he retorted.
"You don't know him as I do," she met his gaze miserably, "The plan was doomed the moment you agreed to try."
A minute passed and then another.
"You knew this wouldn't work but agreed to play your part anyway. Why?" He was confused.
"Because . . ." her voice broke and she drew in a shuddering breath, "I knew . . . This was the closest I would get to dating him. I u-used you. I'm sorry."
"So when you agreed to let me touch you. . ." he trailed off uncertainly.
"Yes," she nodded as she wiped the tears from her cheeks, "I … felt I owed it to you."
He glanced off to the side and exhaled slowly. He didn't know what to feel. He didn't feel used because, in part, he knew she was using him just as he was using her. The only problem was there goals. He thought she was using him to get with Naruto and not to get what memories she could. So, he couldn't feel used, though, he did feel betrayed, somehow. She had agreed to touching, that was what was important, so did it really matter why she had to agreed to it as long as he got to touch her?
He glanced at her to see her sobbing quietly into her hands and didn't like it. She shouldn't cry because of some ignorant villagers opinions. He could understand her distress, in a way, though he had always known what people of thought of him. Still, it was new to her and he knew how much it hurt when you tried so hard and they still looked down you. He didn't mean for this to happen. He had only good intentions when he had suggested this farce and he had inadvertently harmed her in the process.
He sighed, maybe he couldn't fix this mess but at least he could fix the public opinion.
"Hinata," he made sure his voice was soft, "I'm sorry you were damaged."
"I-It's not your fault," she tried to smile but failed.
"It is," he lifted a hand to forestall her protests, "I don't believe you are right in that this plan is doomed but the least I can do is prove that everyone is flawed in their logic."
"What do you mean?" She had finally managed to gain control of her emotions.
"They think you are pathetic because you pined for someone you could never have," he stepped up to her, "We will demonstrate their insignificance by showing them how you have attained the unattainable."
"I don't understand," she fidgeted under his gaze.
"It's simple," he nodded, "You're dating the Kazekage of Village Hidden in the Sand. We just need to show it off a bit more."
End of Chapter
AN: Thanks for all your kind reviews! I can't tell you how much they make my day! Thanks again, Michelle
