Chapter 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is finally Friday, meaning I get to update today, tomorrow, and Sunday before I have to go back to school!!!! –Runs in circles- I am going to try updating as much as I can!

Now, on another note, has anyone herd of the Warriors Saga? My next story is probably gonna be that, and it'll be if I do plan to do it mind you! If you don't know what it is, but still want to read it, say so and I will tell you what the story is about. Thankies and now to the chapter!!!!

Temari stared ahead out of the window, taking a sip of tea. As the head diplomatic envoy for Sunagakure, it was her job to go to each village peacefully, or at least, the villages they were on good terms with. In short, Raigakure, and Konohagakure. She glanced at the two shinobi at her side as she waited for her meeting with the Raikage. They were so uptight here.

Gaara and Tsunade were alike in a few ways. One, their strong desire to protect their villages with their lives, and two, they both hated to have body guards. This Raikage however, didn't go anywhere without them.

Temari snorted and took a quick sip of tea as the two ninja looked round at her. She couldn't be caught laughing. She was here on Gaara's peaceful terms to make this village an ally, after all. It had to go without flaw.

The door opened and a young shinobi with black hair stepped out. She gave Temari a questioning look, and then turned her gaze to the guards.

"Hi, sorry," Said Temari as kindly as she could, making the girl's gaze snap back to her, "I'm Temari, the Kazekage's elder sister and official diplomatic deploy for the village of Sunagakure. I'm here to speak with Raikage-sama!"

The girl narrowed her eyes. She looked at the guards, perplexed. When they nodded, she turned back to Temari, "Go," She said. It was an order, not a suggestion.

Temari's eye twitched. She reached into her bag and grabbed a small hand held fan. She snapped it open fiercely and began to fan herself, "Very well," She said calmly, letting out a forced smile.

"Thank you," She said calmly, and turned into the Raikage's office.

If luck was on her side, this meeting would go without flaw.

Michiru stared up at the sky, his thoughts dwelling on the girl that had kissed him earlier. Akume, she had said her name was. She was a beautiful girl indeed, but why did she just kiss him then vanish?

He pondered over this, a serious frown spreading over his dry lips. On another matter, they still had no where to stay where the Kazekage wasn't. What were they to do?

He sighed wearily and rolled over in the grass, glaring at a rock.

"Michiru, are you ok?" Asked Hiraku, sitting down beside him.

"Fine…" He muttered.

"Liar."

He rolled over again and glared at her.

She smiled, "Sorry, but we don't have time to be keeping secrets from one another! Arai's gone to look for food, and Debu's taking a nap."

"Humph, good for them then," He growled, rolling away from her. He stared fixedly at a particular lump of grass.

"What's wrong?" She asked, a hint of anger in her sweet voice.

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying."

"Yes you are."

"AM NOT!" He snapped, turning to face her, "Can't you just take a simple answer for once, instead of badgering on about it!?"

She stared at him, her blue eyes wide and full of hurt.

He froze, "H-Hiraku," He said gently, "I'm sorry, I-"

She stood and turned on her heel, heading towards the creek.

Michiru sat there. "Damn!" He shouted, lying back down in the grass, "That was so stupid!" He growled, biting his lower lip.

"I'll say," He herd Arai's voice, and his eyes narrowed.

"What do you want."

"Nothin," He said nonchalantly, "Just saw what happened with you and Hiraku there, and I got concerned," He sat down beside Michiru and looked at him, "You really hurt her this time, idiot."

"Don't tell me what I already know…" He growled.

"Then fix it."

"How the hell am I supposed to do that?" He snarled.

Arai shrugged and bit down on an apple, "I dunno, that's your choice to make bastard. I'm just saying, you should apologize to her."

"And like I said," Michiru growled, still not looking at him, "How the hell am I supposed to do that?"

Arai sighed and threw his finished apple core to the side, "Well let's see…" He said, rubbing his chin, his face thoughtful, "You could find some wild flowers and give 'um to her, but I dunno if Hiraku likes flowers so…"

"If she doesn't like them, then it'd be pointless…" Michiru murmured.

"True, true…" Arai thought for a moment, "Um…."

"You have no ideas, do you?"

"At least I'm thinking!" Arai retaliated, his eyes burning, "All you're doing is lying around moping over one thing or another!"

"….Not moping…"

Arai nodded, "Yes you are."

Michiru glared at him.

"Glare all you like," He said shrugging, "It won't affect me in the least way." He stood up and stretched, "Well, later grumpy! I'm going to make sure Hiraku is ok. The considerate thing to do!"

He turned on his heel and walked of towards the creek.

Michiru watched him go, his eyes narrowed.

For some reason, he felt an odd prick of jealousy in his chest, but he couldn't explain why. Without giving it much thought, he rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, praying that sleep out come to him.

Hiraku glared at the misty water, her blue eyes narrowed. Stupid Mich

iru! Why wasn't he telling her anything, and why the hell was he acting so high and mighty? She didn't get it…nor did she really want to.

She had been friends with him ever since he was old enough to talk. He thought of her as a sister, someone he could always confide in. For some reason, Hiraku felt as though that bond was slowly dissipating. Like it was blowing away, like sand in a fierce wind.

She pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them tightly, staring blankly at the grass.

"Michiru didn't mean it yah know."

She glanced over her shoulder to see Arai.

She replied with a snort.

"He didn't," He repeated, "He's just a little dense when it comes to girls, yah know? I mean, ain't all guys when they're his age?"

She paused, then shrugged.

"We're all going through a hard time," He added gently, "The little bit is probably just tired 'is all."

"I guess…" She mumbled.

He sat down beside her and sighed, "This is one crazy journey we've gotten ourselves into," He said quietly.

"You mean a crazy journey that Michiru got us into," Hiraku corrected him, malice in her voice.

"Ah yes," He said nodding, "Point well taken."

She frowned at him.

He smirked, "But why are you taking it as such a big deal?" He inquired, "I mean, I know you and him are pals but, if he pissed you of, why do you even bother?"

Hiraku hesitated, seeing the logic behind his words, but-

"Because," She growled, "He's my friend."

"Yah, but still?"

She paused, "I don't see where you're going with this…"

Arai sighed and stood back up, "Sorry," He said in a calm voice, "I was only trying to help, but I guess you need to sort this out on your own, huh?"

"Guess so."

She glanced over her shoulder to looked at him, "Arai-"

He turned and smirked. He winked at her, then headed back towards the camp, whistling to himself.

Hiraku sat there, bewilderment binding her legs to the spot. He just winked at her? She felt a hot blush creeping over her cheeks. Did Arai, the guy who had always insulted her and Michiru, the guy who hated them…

Could he…

Maybe…

Have a…

A…

…Crush on her…?

Gaara stared blankly at the door to the Hyugga clan home, his green eyes narrowed slightly. He had only juts found out about Hinata's pregnancy from Tsunade, whom suggested that he should be the one to tell her family.

Not good.

Although Hiashi and Hanabi were fond of him, Neji really wasn't. Ever since all those years ago, Neji hadn't really liked the redhead. He never did to begin with actually.

Now he had just found out from Lee, that Neji had a daughter. Meaning Gaara had a niece…or something like that, since Neji was Hinata's cousin. Second cousin then?

He shrugged, the thoughts still lingering in his head.

After a slight hesitation, he knocked.

The door opened, and he was relived to see Hanabi. Her face brightened at seeing who it was.

"Gaara Onii-sama!" She gasped, her eyes glowing.

Onii, the common respectful term for younglings to use to address older males, one that Hanabi used with him so very often. She used 'sama' instead of 'san' as respecting his title as Kazekage. She beamed as she looked up at her elder sister's husband.

"What're you doin here?" She asked, opening the door.

"I need to speak with Lord Hiashi," He told her.

Hiashi, lord of the Hyugga clan. Hanabi and Hinata's father, and Neji's uncle…and his father-in-law.

Hanabi looked at him with a frown, but nodded. She stepped aside to allow him in, then turned, "DAD!" She called, "Gaara Onii-sama has come to speak with you about something!"

There was silence.

The Hiashi came around the corner, leaning on a cane due to his gaining in age. He smiled softly at the Kazekage, "Hello Kazekage-sama, " he said, "What can I do for you?"

Gaara was about to speak, when he saw Neji appear behind Hiashi. The Hyugga took one glance at Gaara, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

The Kazekage frowned. He would not be intimidated by someone like Neji…"Lord Hiashi," He said bowing, "There is something about Hinata that we must discuss."

All three Hyugga's eyes snapped back onto the redhead, and the air was suddenly serious.

"Hinata?" Said Neji, his voice full of venom, "What about her? What did you do!?"

Hiashi threw Neji a look, making the secondary branch member fall silent. Although it didn't stop him from glaring at Gaara still.

The head of the clan turned back to Gaara, his face calm, but Gaara could see the worry behind his Byakugan eyes, "Well Kazekage-sama?" He said in a controlled voice, "What has happened?"

Regaining his composure, Gaara went into explanation, "I only juts found out myself," He muttered, "But Temari sent a letter informing us that Hinata is once again, pregnant."

The words had barely escaped his lips before he realized that Neji had grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall, knocking all of the breath out of the Kazekage.

"Neji!" Snapped Hiashi. Hanabi had placed her hands over her mouth, eyes wide, but Neji paid them no heed.

"What did you say?" He hissed, his face an inch from Gaara's.

Gaara stared at him blankly, "I cannot deny what has truly happened, Neji," He said calmly, "I-"

"Don't give me your excuses Gaara!" Neji snarled, "You did this to Hinata! You're going to be putting her through the pain of all this, again! I don't know what she sees in you, but-"

"What Hinata and I do is none of your concern," Gaara hissed, his eyes narrowed.

"She's my cousin!"

"She's my wife!"

"Enough!" Snapped Hiashi, his hand flicking into a hand sign, his Byakugan activated.

Neji's eyes widened and he let out a painful yell that screamed in Gaara's ears. He released the Kazekage and dropped to his knees, holding his head in anguish. Gaara stared at him, shocked.

The cry reminded Gaara of one he had herd so many times before…

A pained scream for mercy, for the horrible pain to stop. A pain that was worst then death…a pain that openly welcomed death to come rather then itself…

A second or so passed, and Neji's cried died away, replaced by heavy panting. Sweat dripped down from his face, landing on the hard wooden floor.

"Father!" Snapped Hanabi, turning to glare at him.

Hiashi stared at Neji regretfully, "I am sorry Neji," He whispered, "But Gaara-sama is the Kazekage, and you were getting to far as to threatening him…I had no other choice…"

Hanabi noticed the shocked look on Gaara's face, and apparently so did Neji. The Hyugga forced himself to his feet, glaring at Gaara.

"The curse mark," He growled, "You remember, from the chunnin exams, when I fought Naruto!"

Gaara stayed silent.

Neji threw Hiashi a glare, and straightened up. He gave Gaara one last look, before heading out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Gaara and Hanabi looked at Hiashi.

The head sighed, "I had no choice," He murmured, "I never wanted to use the curse mark again to control Neji, but he was going to far…"

"You still needent go that far…" Hanabi murmured disapprovingly, "Hinata isn't going to like this."

"We can discuss that later," Said Hiashi, pulling his eyes from his daughter back to Gaara, "There are things we must discuses."

WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! POOR NEJI!!!!! I felt bad torturing him like that…

Neji: Then why the hell didja do it!?

……I dunno….

Anyway, I shall update again tomorrow!!! Toodles!!!