Title: Strangers Bound Together
Summary: Ways to say "I love you" #3: When forced into a marriage with a girl you don't know, apologize for getting her into this mess.
Pairing: GaaHanabi
Rating: K
Notes: Hanabi is sixteen in this; Gaara, twenty-one.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Hiashi said nothing to her, merely giving her a blank, stern stare. Hanabi didn't want to hear him talk, anyway. He was the one who had orchestrated this.

Hinata hugged her sister to her fiercely; though Hinata was five years older, Hanabi had grown taller than her sister, nearly three inches. Hinata had whispered tearful promises of visits and letters, but no reassurances. A bag being transferred to Suna bore Hinata's gifts to her: two gorgeous silk kimonos, one snowy white spangled all over with silver, the other a deep, vivid crimson speckled with gold sakura blossoms.

Neji had been stoic, though different than Hiashi. He put a hand on Hanabi's shoulder and nodded to her; he clearly meant to encourage, to convey his respect. To Hanabi, nothing from Neji could have meant more.

Tenten…surprised Hanabi. They had never been the best of friends, though they had learned to be civil and occasionally companionable. But Tenten leaned down slightly to hug Hanabi, and murmured encouragement in Hanabi's ear. "He's a good man. You don't have to worry." When they pulled away, Hanabi realized that the softness in Tenten's eyes was genuine.

Moegi wished her good luck. The girls were more rivals than friends, but Moegi genuinely regretted that Hanabi was leaving. Hanabi punched Moegi's arm in a friendly sort of way and told the girl to actually get promoted to jonin the next time she took the exams.

Konohamaru shook her hand and, like Moegi, wished her luck. He was trying not to show his emotions, but he clearly regretted her leaving. He asked her to come back and visit some time.

Udon looked sad, until Hanabi stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

All those memories were flying away from her as Hanabi stood, the desert sand beating across her white kimono top and black pants, the desert wind whipping her long brown hair across her face, tendrils of heat teasing her face as the sun went down.

"Are you Hyuuga Hanabi?" A quiet, slightly hoarse voice met Hanabi's ears as a young man stepped out from behind the shadow of a smooth, stone building. She looked around, as he stepped forward and bowed politely.

He was probably about the same age as her sister, barely out of his teens. The man had red hair, very fair skin—an oddity for desert dwellers; he must be an Akasuna, Hanabi thought, having heard that members of that clan tended to have red hair and fair skin—and pale green eyes. He wasn't very tall (probably only had a couple of inches on Hanabi), and was dressed in nondescript, dark garb.

"Yes, I am." Over the years, Hanabi had learned to show dignity in every situation that she could, and even though she hated every facet of this "arranged marriage" she was being forced into, she wasn't about to show her skin and make a fool of herself.

"Are you not aware of where to go?" the young man asked quietly. There was nothing of a mockery in his voice, and Hanabi could respond without bristling.

"I'm afraid so." Hanabi bowed her head ruefully, before staring up at the canopy of white buildings, of spires and flat roofs. "This is all so strange to me."

The man nodded and beckoned for Hanabi to follow him. "Please follow me, then."

As they walked through the dusk-laden, surprisingly empty streets, Hanabi murmured, more for her benefit than his, "Guess I've got to go meet the Kazekage now, huh?"

At that, pale green eyes looked at her like she had said something very strange. "I am the Kazekage," he murmured, tilting his head at her as though seeing her in a different light.

"What?" Hanabi exclaimed; remembering the years of training in etiquette she had received, she bowed quickly, brushing her hair out of her face. "I didn't expect you to be so…young," she admitted lamely. At least I'm not marrying an old man, the young Hyuuga silently conceded.

The Kazekage nodded, his pale face softening slightly. "I'm sorry about this." Hanabi looked up in shock at those words. "This wasn't my idea."

Hanabi smiled tentatively, a lopsided, lame thing. "Maybe we can learn to get along?" she ventured.

A tiny suggestion of a smile met her request. "Perhaps."