Finally got this chapter out. Warning its going to get a little emotional and there is a love scene. Again thank you Errihu your the best!
CHAPTER 26
The sun was hitting its peak. The intense heat of the afternoon was making many lethargic and sleepy. Kankuro absently gave a sigh of boredom as he stretched his legs out behind the front gatepost. Front gate duty was not very exciting; it bordered on the edge of irritating and fatiguing. If it wasn't for being with Matsuri, it would be far worse.
"I'm bored." Kankuro complained for the fifth time in the last ten minutes.
"You said that already." Matsuri replied with a smile as she continued to read a document she had in hand.
"I have been sitting in offices, behind desks, and in conferences for the past two weeks and then when Gaara comes back, the first thing he assigns me is front gate duty." Kankuro moaned.
"At least he put us together." Matsuri replied with a grin.
"True." Kankuro replied with a smirk.
"And you will be the first to see Temari, and Miyo. They should be arriving this afternoon." Matsuri commented. "In fact I think they are being escorted by Kakashi Hatake, and Kiba Inuzuka."
Kankuro took a moment to really look at Matsuri. Her chocolate brown hair fell softly around her shoulders; the ends flipped out, and when she turned the strands flew around her face in a swirl that made him want to touch her. Her brown eyes were always warm and inviting. He had been waiting for the right moment to ask her to marry him. Maybe this was the moment.
"Let's play a game." Kankuro suddenly suggested pulling out a small pamphlet of paper and a pencil.
"Alright." Matsuri replied setting the document down and watched Kankuro draw out five lines then a large space and two other lines.
"Guess a letter." Kankuro ordered.
"You have to give me a clue of what the words are first." Matsuri replied with a smile.
"An action out of love." Kankuro replied with a smirk.
"'L'" Matsuri said.
Kankuro shook his head as he tapped the pencil on the counter top watching Matsuri wrinkle her nose in thought.
"'E'" Matsuri tried again.
"Yes there is one 'E'" Kankuro replied as he filled in an 'E' at the very last line.
"'H'" Matsuri asked.
Kankuro smiled at the way she was concentrating so hard on the game, she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and began chewing as she thought.
"'A'" Matsuri said brightly.
"There is an 'A'" Kankuro replied with an excited smile as he penciled in 'A' in the second blank line.
He watched a soft smile pull on her lips her face completely relaxed as she played absently with a strand of her hair. Then she frowned. Blinking in surprise Kankuro noticed her entire demeanor changed. Her body went rigid her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. Could she have known what he was about to ask her? Did she think it was too soon? Would she say no?
"Kankuro someone's coming." Matsuri interrupted his frantic thought pattern.
Kankuro turned around to see that she was frowning at a lone figure that was staggering toward the front gate. He wasn't going to lie; he was very relieved she wasn't angry with him. He stood up to get a better look at the traveler, it was clear they were hurt by the way he/she was walking.
Kankuro quickly walked from behind the counter ready to take action. However he wasn't prepared for it to be Miyo. She wasn't terribly hurt besides a large gash on the side of her arm, and she was out of breath. He immediately noticed the pug Pakkun standing alert next to Miyo.
"Miyo where's Temari?" Kankuro asked in fear as he gently steadied the young girl.
"Kankuro! We were attacked." Miyo replied in a steady voice. "They were after Kiba Inuzuka, but as soon as they recognized Temari as the Kazekage's sister they were intent on capturing her and killing Kiba."
"Kakashi has things under control." Pakkun replied with a nod of his head.
Kankuro felt a chill run down his spine, this was the last thing they needed a hostage situation.
"Kiba is hurt though."
"How far?" Kankuro asked with urgency.
"A couple of hours away depending on how fast you run." Miyo whispered her eyes glazing over in pain.
"Pakkun can you show me the location."
"I have orders to stay with Miyo until Kakashi returns." Pakkun replied shortly.
Kankuro gave the nin-dog a dirty look before he addressed Matsuri.
"Matsuri, take Miyo to the infirmary." Kankuro ordered. "I'll inform Gaara and put together a team for back up."
Matsuri was already by Miyo's side. She smiled at Kankuro. "Not so boring any more is it?"
Kankuro shook his head with a grin. Even in a time of crisis Matsuri still had a sense of humor.
….
Gaara sat in his office and finished reading the contract that the Tsuchikage had sent over for his approval on their new trade route. He was looking forward to the new venture and was pleased that with some good soil the farmers of his country would surely prosper.
Gaara's eyes landed on Hinata, who sat on one of his chairs, long legs thrown over the arm of the chair, head down intent on the letter she was reading. It was strange. Hinata had her own office yet she ended up in his almost every day, either sitting in that chair or dragging one over to the desk and taking up a section of his space for her own. It was almost as if she liked being near him, and he couldn't deny that he liked having her close by.
"What?" Hinata asked suddenly breaking though his thoughts with her sweet voice.
Gaara blinked, a little embarrassed to be caught staring at her. In one fluid motion Hinata swung her long legs off the chair and sat up setting the letter aside a look of concern on her face.
"Do you feel a migraine coming on?" Hinata asked dropping her voice low so as to not irritate him with any shrill sounds.
"No." Gaara replied.
"Than what is it?" Hinata asked in confusion.
"You're distracting me." Gaara accused softly.
Hinata looked at him funny than laughed. "My mere presence in your office is a distraction?"
Gaara made a face in return.
"I haven't done anything." Hinata pointed out. "I'm just doing a little more background research on Greta and Miyo's files. I think I'm on to something."
"The mere sight of you makes my mind wander." Gaara replied in a low voice, ignoring her statement about Greta and Miyo.
"Well I won't be bothering you for long; I'm sending this letter off to Naruto asking for more information." Hinata replied as she held up her letter and slipped it into her bag.
Gaara watched with appreciation as Hinata stood up and stretched her arms over her head, arching her back and letting her long black hair cascade down her shoulders. Gaara swallowed and quickly turned his attention back to his desktop, he mumbled some unintelligible word good bye as Hinata left.
He was just starting to focus again on the work at hand when Kankuro came into his office. Just one look was enough for Gaara to know something bad had just happened. Kankuro's face was white beneath his purple face paint, and he had his puppets strapped to his back. He meant business.
"Gaara." Kankuro croaked out.
Gaara stood up slowly his face hardening at the distress his brother was showing.
"We have a problem." Kankuro began. "Temari's escort has been engaged in battle, an hour or two outside the city limits"
Gaara felt fear grip him briefly before he went into his cool in control mode.
"Casualties?" Gaara asked.
"It appears that their main focus was on Kiba Inuzuka. However, as soon as they found out Temari is your sister they changed their plans. Miyo was able to get away; I know only that Kiba is hurt, leaving Temari and Kakashi left."
Gaara took a breath and quickly took out his list of ninja that were accounted for and not on missions currently. He needed to act quickly. It wouldn't do for his sister to be taken as ransom and it wouldn't do for a member of the Inuzuka clan to be killed in Gaara's country. It would put an unnecessary strain on the fairly new alliance that had just been put into place.
"Baki and you will go." Gaara ordered.
Gaara was at liberty to go or stay. In this case if things got out of control he needed to be in a central location in order to send out back up or contact Naruto for help.
"I'll bring her back Gaara." Kankuro replied with a nod of his head.
"I am going with you."
Gaara looked up sharply to see Hinata in the doorway a determined look on her face. An undesirable emotion went through him. His heart just about stopped at the thought of his wife out there fighting.
"No." Gaara replied his voice hard.
Hinata's eyes flashed with a spark of anger that Gaara had never seen her show before.
"There is a ninja who is hurt and you are not sending a medical-nin as part of the team, what are you thinking?" Hinata replied back.
"Don't question my decision making." Gaara snapped his voice ice cold.
"I am going." Hinata replied. There was a bite to her voice. "Kiba might need medical attention."
"Whatever the injuries he will be cared for when the team gets him here." Gaara replied with finality to his voice.
"Why won't you let me go?" Hinata asked her voice dropping low.
"You are too emotionally attached to the situation, instead of helping you might prove to be a liability. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly clear." Hinata replied shortly.
Gaara watched uneasily as Hinata gave him a fierce look before she turned and walked out of the office picking up her scarf on the way out.
"Gaara, you don't think she'll go against you do you?" Kankuro asked.
"She wouldn't dare." Gaara growled out.
How wrong he was. Hinata did indeed dare to go against him. By the time Kankuro and Gaara located Baki's post, Hinata and Baki were long gone.
"What do you mean she and Baki left?" Kankuro asked in disbelief.
"Lord Kankuro, sir. Lady Hinata just showed up told Baki there was a problem on the border and that the Kazekage ordered a group to provide relief." The guard replied his eyes widening a little in fear.
Gaara was shocked; more than that, the words that Hinata had disobeyed him was a violent disturbance to his mind and emotions. No one ever went against him without suffering the consequences but what was more disturbing was she had gone against him to save Kiba Inuzuka. Gaara had suspicions against that man from the moment he saw the two together at the exams, probably before that, the time of their wedding when Hinata was dancing with him. And the rumor of the two being lovers didn't help matters. Although he defended his wife, knew first had that it was a rumor, and put an end to such talk immediately he could not help but dwell on it.
Now it was confirmed. The humiliation of it was too much to handle at the moment so he pushed it aside and headed out at a fast pace with the intent to save his sister, and bring back his wife. Kankuro came up beside him keeping pace easily.
"Gaara are you alright? You will have to deal with the council for heading out on a mission without telling them."
"I'll deal with the council." Gaara growled out impatiently as he focused his attention on the horizon.
Part of the trip was in silence giving Gaara plenty of time to think, ponder, and grow in anger and frustration. Was it all a lie those evenings they had spent wrapped in each other's arms, whispering softly to each other? He had let his guard down around her. He had let himself feel new emotions which he had previously ignored.
Love was a useless emotion that was used against others to inflict pain. Absently he touched the tattoo at his forehead; the only love one should ever feel was for oneself, why had he ignored his common sense. Why had he let himself get hurt like this again?
"Because you wanted to fall in love with someone." Kankuro's voice broke through Gaara.
"What!" Gaara asked coldly his eyes narrowed on his brother.
"You heard me." Kankuro sneered. "I know that look, your feeling sorry for yourself. All your life you have wanted to love someone, and when you finally found her you gave yourself completely."
Gaara tore his gaze away and kept his mouth shut, Kankuro was a fool.
"Hinata loves you. I have never seen any woman look at you the way she does." Kankuro continued.
"You forget Matsuri looked at me much the same way." Gaara growled out knowing that his comment would hurt Kankuro.
"That was a childish crush." Kankuro snapped back, the look on his face turned from wounded to angry.
They continued in silence and Gaara's growing anger turned to unease. It didn't take long to hear the battle ahead and see the evidence of the fighting. Kankuro immediately jumped in besides Kakashi. Gaara's gaze turned red. The urge to inflict pain and to shed blood was all he felt as he watched two ninjas attack his wife. He felt the familiar rage that had once left him long ago resurface with a vengeance. His blood was pounding in his ears, and a sickening calmness came over him as he stepped in. This was the reason he didn't go on missions, the reason he didn't do battle; he couldn't control himself. The demon was gone from him, yet it had instilled such a yearning for blood that he felt the dull ache whenever he was in battle. He felt that giddy excitement that blood would be spilt, felt the sick pleasure of inflicting pain on those who dared go against him.
Hinata was holding her own but that wasn't the point. No one attacked the Kazekage's wife and lived to tell about it. Gaara was in front of Hinata with impressive speed and dexterity, he grabbed the attacking ninja,jerking him off-balance, using his own momentum against him. Before another heartbeat had passed, Gaara had flipped the ninja to the ground twisting the bastard's arm in the process. An audible fracture sounded making Gaara sneer in pleasure as the man's screams filled the air.
"One is under the sand." Hinata whispered faintly by his side.
"Fools." Gaara snarled his voice was unrecognizable it had deepened almost to a sadistic growl. Gaara slammed his hands on the ground in front of them. "Sand burial."
The sand beneath their feet shifted like quicksand before hardening. The smell of blood made Gaara lightheaded, wanting more. Hinata was suddenly beside him and took on a battle stance her hands struck the enemy with extreme precision knocking the ninja several feet back, her breath was labored, and her hands shook in front of her. The impact of her hit surely would result in severe internal damage to the ninja who now lay on the ground still.
"Stay behind me." Gaara ordered his voice menacing.
Hinata did as she was told, stepping back. Gaara glanced at her briefly, watching as she knelt besides Kiba's prone body. He felt his heart just about stop as he watched her place a kiss on Kiba's forehead. Growling like something possessed his sand erupted around them shielding Hinata, Kiba and himself from another attack. His anger was hot against these men, he was furious with Kiba for getting injured and he felt animosity toward Hinata for disobeying him.
The fight ended with six dead ninjas, a severely injured Kiba, a slightly exhausted Hinata and a madder than hell Kazekage. After the red haze of anger and blood lust cleared Gaara's vision, he turned in slow motion and froze Hinata in place with his gaze. There was a determined look in her lavender eyes as she stared back, the veins around her eyes slowly retracted to leave lightly sun kissed skin behind. All he saw before him was a strong determined women very unlike his docile little wife.
What pushed him over the edge was when she turned away from him and knelt before Kiba, he watched as her hand became aglow with her healing chakra. He didn't think himself the jealous type; he blamed his behavior on coming off the high of battle. He could still feel the sadistic lust to kill running through him. Trying to calm down he began breathing through his nose.
"Gaara calm down." Kankuro's voice was a far off sound. "I haven't seen you like this since…"
"Get that man out of here." Gaara growled his eyes still glazed over with a look of pain. He was fighting for control of his emotions and failing miserably. Sand was swirling around his wrists a rough caress on his skin making him lose all sense of feeling.
"Right…before you finish him off in a fit of rage." Kankuro said in a note of fear as he rushed to get Kiba on his way to the infirmary.
Hinata was about to argue with Kankuro until Baki stepped in.
"Hinata enough, Kiba needs medical attention." Baki's voice lowered further as he continued.
"You knew the risk when you came to save Kiba."
Hinata glanced at the irate form of Gaara; he was deep in conversation with Temari.
"I know." Hinata replied as she watched Kankuro and Kakashi get Kiba ready to move.
"You better do something Hinata…I've never see Gaara so angry…not since the demon was in him." Kankuro replied with a sympathetic look.
Hinata bit her bottom lip as she watched Kankuro and Kakashi head off for Sunagakure. She turned to face Gaara with hesitant steps she was at his side.
"I recognize two of these ninjas at the exams." Temari finished. "However I was not at the exams the whole time maybe Hinata can give more information."
Gaara turned his gaze on her once more his face blank of emotion, but she saw the signs of his anger. She saw the muscle in his jaw twitching, his straight nose was wrinkled and his right hand was fisted.
"Well?" Gaara's voice was back to normal with a distinct chill in his tone.
"I was warned by Whin that they were bounty hunters and that Aiko Kaguya was a prize worth taking. To kill the last remaining Kaguya is an honor and the payment out on her is high indeed. Her clan has killed many. It's only natural that people would want retribution. The only person standing in their way was Kiba." Hinata finished she was so thankful that she wasn't stuttering.
Gaara was silent as he turned his attention to Baki.
"You will see to the dead bodies." Gaara replied. "Temari…"
"I will stay and help Baki." Temari replied she gave Gaara a worried look. "Are you feeling better?"
Gaara's shoulders stiffened as he stared at his older sister. She looked far worse than he did, half of her dirty blond hair was loose around her shoulders a long cut across her cheek, and a nasty bruise was showing up on her leg.
"I am fine." Gaara whispered. "What will Shikamaru think of me if I can't keep my sister safe in my own country?"
Temari gave Gaara that tough girl smile and lightly hit his shoulder.
"Let's go." Gaara ordered as he turned from Temari and headed in the direction of home.
Hinata felt the coldness of his reception and it hurt beyond words, if only she could touch him just brush her fingers against his skin that might calm him. She raised her hand her fingertips about to touch his hand when he swung around and caught her sleeved arm in a death grip his blue-green eyes vividly bright with held in rage and fury.
"Don't touch me." Gaara half snarled at her.
Hinata visibly flinched at his anger.
"Gaara please… listen to me." Hinata pleaded softly.
"This is not the place or time to discuss your inability to follow orders." Gaara snapped.
Hinata tried not to flinch under the pressure of his fingers against her arm.
"We need to return; I have to explain my actions to the council and then we will discuss your behavior." Gaara's voice was final.
He let go of her arm so fast that it fell numbly at her side. Gaara took off at a fast pace, not bothering to see if Hinata could keep up. They arrived in record time at the complex, Matsuri was there to greet them telling Gaara that the council was already in session and Kankuro was waiting for him to join them. Before taking the stairs to the conference room Gaara rested his hand on the stair railing not bothering to look at his wife he spoke.
"I suggest you retire for the day." Gaara ordered.
Hinata was silent, and Gaara took the stairs. His legs felt like lead, his head was pounding and his mind was reeling. He knew that Hinata was not going to listen to him, he knew almost as sure as he knew Kankuro and Matsuri were in love that Hinata was heading for the infirmary, and that thought alone made him sick inside.
…..
Hinata didn't listen to Gaara. Instead she went immediately to the infirmary to see Kiba. What she hadn't expected to find was Greta and Pakkun deep in conversation. Hinata said a quick greeting and hurried to Kiba's side. She sat down and made herself look busy, but her attention was on the conversation going on between Greta and Pakkun.
"I thought it was you." Pakkun commented.
The pug-nin gazed at Greta with eyes bright with intelligence. Even though they were speaking in a low tone, Hinata could still hear them.
"Pakkun it's been a long time." Greta whispered her voice wavering as she spoke. "Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me alive."
"It's the least I can do." Pakkun replied gruffly.
"Does he know about Miyo?" Greta whispered in fear as she glanced over at Miyo who was chatting gaily with Sekka.
"Yes he does, Miyo's scent has Kakashi written all over it, and if that wasn't a dead giveaway her looks and habits are much like her Fathers." Pakkun replied in a low voice.
Greta looked terrified as she glanced around the hospital room as if to find an exit.
"I would advise you not to run. He came with a purpose to find out who Miyo's Mother is. If you run he'll follow and we both know once he is on the scent he is relentless." Pakkun warned.
Greta swallowed trying to still the shake in her hands.
"Does Miyo know Kakashi is her Father?" Greta asked softly.
Hinata stole a glance at the young girl. How could she not have seen the similarities between Kakashi and Miyo? The young girl looked just like Kakashi. Silver hair, determined eyes, a laid back personality that turned sharp when put to the test. The black face mask she wore constantly. The pieces were all falling in place.
"I think she might have her suspicions. You apparently have told her much about her Father as she was growing up." Pakkun replied with a toothy smile. "You should have seen her face when Kakashi said his favorite book was Icha Icha paradise, or when he took her to lunch and ordered Eggplant miso soup."
"Does he know about me?"
"I didn't tell him my suspicions for fear I would get his hopes up and then be completely wrong." Pakkun explained.
"It's been twelve long years, Pakkun, give or take a year or two. I lose track sometimes. Maybe he won't recognize me." Greta replied softly with false hope.
"How could 'he' not recognize you?" The low masculine voice of Kakashi came from the door frame where he stood.
Greta flinched in surprise as she turned brown eyes to the well known copy-nin of Konohagakure, son of the White Fang, Kakashi Hatake. Her eyes wandered from his sandal-encased feet to his black clad pants, right away noticing the way he stood favoring his right leg, up to the green vest to the black mask he wore like a badge. His grey eye was cold as hard steel.
"Kakashi Sensei." Miyo greeted with excitement from where she sat on the table. The young girl was completely oblivious to the tension in the air.
Greta watched Kakashi's face soften at the voice of the young Chunin, the corners of his eyes crinkled in emotion as he regarded Miyo. The cold glint in his gray eyes faded away to warmth, and his cloth covered lips twitched under the mask.
"Pakkun led you safely back I see." Kakashi greeted.
"I did, Kakashi, and I found her Mother also." Pakkun replied with a nod toward Greta.
Kakashi turned his attention back to Greta and his features harden once more.
"How could you keep her from me?" Kakashi's voice was low and feral sounding.
Greta noticed the way he kept his voice down so Miyo couldn't hear them.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Greta tried to feign surprise at his statement.
Kakashi's body either stiffened with pain from his right leg or from anger at her fake statement.
"Don't make me force you…"
Greta interrupted him before he could even get the letter 'R' out. "Don't call me that." She hissed out softly.
"Call you what? By your real name?" Kakashi quipped back with held in anger.
"Not in front of Miyo, please." Greta asked her brown eyes hardening with the usual protectiveness that came over her when Miyo might be in danger.
"I am not through with you." Kakashi snapped back. "I am not leaving here until this is resolved."
Hinata missed the next few sentences when Sekka began prepping his work area in order to give Miyo stitches. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. The blond haired woman stood in front of her daughter shielding her from view as Sekka began to stitch up Miyo's arm. Kakashi leaned up against the wall his eyes never leaving the two.
"Make the stitches smaller Sekka." Greta instructed, as she watched Sekka work.
"Mother." Miyo whined under her breath.
"Do you want a scar Miyo?" Greta asked with a frown.
"Yes, I want a scar." Miyo replied quickly. "I could have stitched it up myself."
"Every great shinobi deserves a scar, don't you agree Greta." Kakashi's smooth voice echoed throughout the room.
Greta stiffened as she turned slowly and looked at Kakashi. There was dead silence in the room; as the two stared each other down once more. Kakashi was bluntly appraising her taking in her appearance, traveling from her light tan shorts, to her purple long sleeve shirt with a white vest over it. His eyes finally stopped and held the woman's gaze, brown eyes.
"How do you know my name?" Greta asked coolly, her voice was calm but her facial expressions gave her away. Her eyes widened and darted throughout the room a couple of times before she focused on him.
"You mean your real name." Kakashi asked the question. "Miyo talks much about you."
"She's too young to have a scar." Greta argued softly her voice almost fading away as she stared back at Kakashi.
"Too young?" Kakashi asked with a hint of sarcasm as he hooked his finger under his head band and pulled it up over his eye to reveal the ugly scar that ran right over his discolored eye. "I received this mementoat a young age."
Greta flinched as she stared at the scar. "The stitching was poorly done, too young and inexperienced to understand that a proper stitch would have lessened the look of the scar."
"I think she did a fine job, with the tools she had at the time." Kakashi rebuked almost gently.
"I want a scar just like that." Miyo whispered in awe.
"No." Greta replied with a shake of her head as she touched her daughters arm protectively.
"Why not, Greta?" Kakashi asked, the way he pronounced her name made everyone raise an eyebrow at his behavior. "Scars show that you made it out alive."
"They also show that your teammates didn't." Greta whispered out her hand absently stroked her daughters hair.
"Mother, none of us got hurt. Well I mean Kiba Inuzuka did, oh and Kakashi he…" Miyo broke off as she watched with interest as her Mother glared at Kakashi, turning into her overly protective self. Greta took control like she always did with bruises, cuts, and bumps.
"Sit down." Greta ordered pointing at the table next to Miyo.
Kakashi even looked a little shocked as he numbly sat down on the exam table. The effort of moving his leg was pure agony, a red hot burning that radiated around the front and back of his knee.
"What are you going to do Greta? You're not a healer." Kakashi rasped out.
"I'll have you know Kakashi Hatake, that Greta has a basic knowledge of medicine and can attend to you until I am finished with my other patient." Sekka replied as he began to disinfect the newly formed stitches with a swab of cotton.
Greta moved in front of Kakashi, her attention solely on his leg. Hinata couldn't help but hear the low exchange between the two of them or the look of longing that came over Kakashi as he stared at the blond haired woman. Kakashi let his hands fall in front of himself it was a very innocent movement, but the byakugan revealed his finger hooked around her pinky finger. Notice the way Greta stiffened, the way her gaze was drawn to his face, the look of tragic longing and distance evident in her eyes.
"Just like old times." Kakashi whispered lowly.
Greta ignored him as she yanked her hand away and grabbed the scissors from the top table and began to cut the material of his pants to get to his knee.
"You're ruining my pants." Kakashi accused.
Still Greta kept silent; she yanked the fabric away from his knee with a vengeance and moved her hands over his knee. Hinata's eyes widened as she detected the soft glow of healing chakra engulf Greta's hands. Kakashi threw his head back and hissed at the pain before he got control of himself and leaned forward once more his lips inches from Greta's ear.
"You still know how to stimulate…" Kakashi grunted in pain as Greta dug her nails into his knee to silence him.
"I wouldn't think the great Kakashi Hatake, son of the White Fangwould get himself hurt like this." Greta commented with sarcasm.
"I am not as young as I used to be." Kakashi whispered as he let his lips fall against her hair.
Greta stepped to the side; letting his lips fall across her hair and into the air, she finished up with his knee and stepped away from him.
"Kakashi Sensei, who stitched the wound over your eye?" Miyo asked from her seat on the table, she was admiring Sekka's work on her arm.
Kakashi's eyes seemed to glaze over as he stared at Greta not taking his eyes off her, as he mumbled out. "The love of my life."
"I didn't know you had a girlfriend. I never saw you with her." Miyo commented; a gleam of understanding in her eyes as she moved her gaze back and forth between her Mother and Kakashi.
"I've only had one girlfriend and she disappeared twelve years, four months, one week, and two days ago." Kakashi replied his voice steady.
"I'm sorry." Miyo replied with a knowing look as she watched her Mothers face color slightly.
"It's alright; I think I found her again." Kakashi whispered his voice taking on a deadly ring to it as he stared Greta down.
…..
"First of all we are surprised that you took it upon yourself to go on this mission." Sajo began his wrinkled face sever.
Gaara remained silent as he sat there. His hands folded on top of the table, his white robes folded perfectly over his frame not a wrinkle or crease. He looked as if he had just stepped from his office to the conference room, instead of just finishing a battle. He was still breathing through his nose his emotions were under control the red haze of sadistic lust was gone. Now he had to single-handedly explain the particulars of the mission, and calm his council down.
"The Kazekage does not do anything without a cause." Kankuro broke in suddenly.
Gaara slid his eyes toward his brother in surprise. Kankuro normally remained quiet during such meetings. Kankuro's face was fierce under his purple face paint, the black hood of his robe was off, his brown hair was sticking up in utter disarray, his purple paint was smudged around his eyes and dried blood crusted around a long cut across his cheek. Kankuro was the one who looked like he just had come from a battle.
"If it was a mere scuttle on the border line surely any ninja could have handled it." Joseki replied with an inquisitive look.
"An attack on the sister of the Kazekage is not a mere scuttle, you make it sound as if it was a schoolyard fight." Kankuro sneered in frustration.
"Of course not, Lord Kankuro, it would be a messy situation if Lady Temari was kidnapped or held for ransom. I just want to know why we were not informed before this." Sajo quickly replied trying to calm the unease in the room. "Would you care to elaborate on what happened?"
Kankuro was about to begin explaining but Gaara held up his hand for silence, he slowly took a breath and began.
"The attack was initially directed toward Kiba Inuzuka, as the council is aware he is engaged to be married to the last remaining member of the Kaguya clan." Gaara began. "Am I correct, Lord Baki, that they are the bounty hunters we were warned about?"
"Yes Kazekage, bounty hunters that just recently called Land of Waves their home." Baki replied with a nod of his head.
"It would appear than the point of the attack was to kill the Inuzuka man, removing him from the equation making it easier to get to the Kaguya woman." Gaara finished.
"That doesn't explain why you took it upon yourself to go on the mission." Joseki pointed out, a sly smile spread across his lips as he stared at the Kazekage. "Or why your lovely wife went along."
"The Kazekage is not finished." Kankuro snapped at Joseki. "Learn to be silent when someone of authority is talking."
Joseki looked extremely pissed off but inclined his head in sign of apology.
"It did come to our attention that your wife, Lady Hinata, headed out as back up. Am I correct?" Sajo suddenly commented.
Gaara stared at the old man; he had to choose his next words carefully. He didn't want it to look as if he was irritated with Hinata for going against his orders; he had to make it appear that he knew she was going as back up.
"And why shouldn't she?" Gaara commented dryly. "Inuzuka is one of the oldest clans in Konohagakure it would not bode well if he was attacked on our land and died. That would certainly put an unneeded strain on our treaty."
The council was silent for several tense seconds, before a few inclined their heads in agreement.
"Has the situation been handled than?" Sajo inquired.
"The ninjas were killed, casualties were low." Kankuro replied. "Thankfully Temari was fine, along with Kakashi Hatake. Miyo and Kiba are in the infirmary as we speak, and last I heard they should pull through."
That was the end of that subject and the council moved on to other matters and eventually the meeting concluded. Gaara found himself alone with Kankuro walking down the hallway.
"So..." Kankuro trailed off uncomfortable.
"I am fine." Gaara replied in his monotone voice.
"You're not angry with Hinata are you?" Kankuro asked as he scratched his head.
"My personal life is none of your concern." Gaara replied coldly as he stopped in front of the doors of the infirmary.
Kankuro rolled his eyes as he followed Gaara into the room. Sekka looked up and smiled in greeting at the Kazekage and Kankuro. Sekka was in the process of bandaging Miyo's arm. Greta was standing beside her daughter a look of fear in her eyes that Gaara had never seen before. Kankuro must have noticed the fear behavior too for he put a comforting hand on Greta's shoulder.
"Your daughter is a very brave ninja you should be proud of her." Kankuro offered encouragingly.
Greta looked startled as she turned her attention to Kankuro, she gave him a shaky smile but it soon disappeared when her eyes landed on Kakashi Hatake who sat on the exam table next to them watching like a hawk.
"How soon can we head home Sekka." Greta asked in a low voice.
"Well I would feel better if you stayed until her stitches came out, in case of infection." Sekka replied.
"I am sure Greta can take the stitches out can't you Greta?" Kakashi's voice was sharp.
Greta turned around and stared at Kakashi with a look of pure terror. Gaara frowned, Greta was acting very unlike herself and he didn't like the way Kakashi was acting. Terrorizing a civilian of Sunagakure was not allowed.
Gaara stepped in front of Kakashi and fixed him with one of his looks.
"Thank you for saving Temari. Your welcome to stay until the Inuzuka man recuperates." Gaara replied blandly.
Kankuro must have caught on he quickly stepped up next to Kakashi and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come I am sure you want to write a letter to your Hokage about what happened."
Gaara watched as Kankuro steered Kakashi out of the room.
Gaara's eyes finally landed on Hinata, she sat on the side of the Inuzuka's bedside holding his hand and whispering softly to him. Gaara's felt himself losing control of his emotions again, he wanted to kill the Inuzuka man and drag Hinata away from him. However, he couldn't do it; the look in Hinata's eyes told him how much she cared for this man.
Her feelings for Kiba Inuzuka must be strong or she would never have gone after him like she did. She had risked everything her life, angering the council and above all else disobeying her husband. He watched in disbelief as his wife leaned forward and placed her forehead on Kiba's chest Hinata's shoulders shook with silent sobs.
"Hinata." Gaara's voice was sharp as it echoed through the room.
Hinata immediately sat up and looked at him; her eyes were clouded over with emotions, her face pale and wet with tears. She looked beyond exhausted; just on the brink of breaking. He held out his hand for her to take and she hesitated.
"Come." Gaara ordered, a warning in his voice that she better take his hand.
Hinata quickly complied and placed her hand in his, without saying a word Gaara pulled her behind him and lead her out of the infirmary down the hallway up the stairs and finally to the privacy of their rooms. It felt like he was dragging Hinata into the room as he shut the door and let her wrist go, she slid to her knees on the furs in front of the fire place. The only noise in the room was the hissing and crackling of the fire some servant had started to chase the chill from the room.
Gaara didn't know how to approach the subject that was hanging between them at the moment. He absently began to shrug out of his robes tossing them on a chair as he pulled off his shirt dropping it on the floor. He ran his hand through his hair in agitation. Hinata made a move to pick up his clothes
"Leave it." Gaara ordered his voice hollow and cold.
Hinata flinched at his tone; she watched the long sinewy muscles of his back and arms ripple and play in magnificent rhythm with his movements. He was angry with her for disobeying his orders; she could feel his rage in his movements, in his look, and in his voice.
The silence was unnerving and she fought to keep herself from degrading back to needless fidgeting that would only increase his anger. She raised her eyes once more to look at his irate form; Gaara's fist clenched against the marble of the fireplace, the muscle of his jaw twitched. Before she could return her gaze to her lap Gaara swung his head around and stopped her with one look.
She sucked in her breath, his green-blue eyes were cold, hateful but what made her blood curl was the sadistic look that glittered in his eyes with the dying flames of the fire. The shadows that engulfed him made him look sinister, and deadly.
"You went against my orders." Gaara's voice was accusing as it echoed through the room.
Hinata knew the best thing she could do was be honest. "I did." She replied than continued. "I am just as capable as any of the Sunagakure ninjas to carry out a mission."
Gaara blinked at her, disbelief evident on his face. "Have I ever told you that you weren't?"
Hinata kept her silence.
"As leaders of this village we don't go on missions." Gaara's voice brooked no argument. "If they had found out you were my wife" His voice faltered his face twisted with painful thoughts "… the point is, things could have gotten out of hand."
"I had to." Hinata argued than bit her tongue at the look of pure hate came across Gaara's face oh she had pushed him too far.
"You put yourself at risk to save your lover." Gaara sneered in contempt.
Hinata's head snapped up at his comment. An unfamiliar rage coursed through her veins at the word 'lover'. "How dare you condemn me like this?"
"Your actions betray you." Gaara growled his voice deepening with his anger.
"I have done nothing wrong." Hinata snapped back. "You're no better than those senile old men that sit on your council."
"I am nothing like my council." Gaara snarled.
"You are the spitting image of those inveterate, feeble old men entrenched in their outdated ideas…" Hinata argued.
"You will show proper respect for those who are your superiors." Gaara snarled his voice rose and octave.
"They are not my superiors." Hinata snapped back as she raised her voice to the level of his. "Your council has hated me from the very beginning; they do not deserve my respect."
"You're angry that my council saw through your transparent personality and that my brother attacked your good name and I foolishly defended you." Gaara's frustration was getting the best of him, his mind reeling. "A wife is to bring honor to her husband; you have made me look the fool."
"I do bring you honor if you weren't so hung up on your jealousy." Hinata snapped out harshly.
"I suggest you stop while you're ahead." Gaara warned his voice thin.
Hinata ignored his warning as she stood on her feet and glared at him in anger.
"It's not my fault that you don't know the difference between love and friendship." Hinata continued.
All the anger that she had held inside was getting the best of her. The signs of Gaara's growing rage were lost on her. Maybe she would have noticed the way he turned his body to face her, or the way he was clenching and unclenching his hands in front of him. Or even the dangerous smirk that lit his face.
"You're a cold-blooded, frigid, heartless man." Hinata threw at him.
Gaara's movement was quick his hold on her was brutal, his fingers digging into her skin. He freed one hand and tangled his fingers in her midnight black hair; he forced her head back and rested his face against her neck as he whispered.
"Does he make love to you the way I do?" Gaara's cold voice was hollow sounding against her ears.
Hinata blinked back her tears at the pain that shot through her skull from his grip on her hair. She could easily disarm him, set herself free of his grasp, but she couldn't bring herself to raise a hand against her husband. Even with all the anger she felt toward him.
Gaara was being unusually cruel; his words were sarcastic and sardonic. His lips fell upon hers a crushing kiss that was deep; penetrating that left her feeling suffocated. The kiss broke and Gaara rested his face against her naked neck his hand still held her head back cruelly.
"Stop it." Hinata whispered as she felt his hands pulling her shirt off roughly.
"Did you ever tell him to stop it?" Gaara whispered menacingly against her skin.
Hinata cried out in pain as he wrenched her shirt off with an audible ripping sound.
"It is my right to have you not his." Gaara growled out. "You speak of love, does he love you the way I do?"
Hinata felt his hands on her skin rough and unpleasant. His breath was harsh against her face and his lips were domineering. The back of the bed hit her knees and one forceful push from Gaara had her toppling backwards. His body covered hers and Hinata feared the worst that he was going to force himself on her. It was his right of course but the thought of him doing so out of anger and rage would ruin it for her forever. It would no longer be an act of love and enjoyment it would turn what they had into something ugly and hurtful.
Hinata let out a cry of fear as she found herself roughly pulled into the hard unyielding embrace of her husband. Gaara's hold on her was a bruising force; the shadows of the room hid his expression. Smooth lips claimed hers again. Hinata felt the grainy texture of sand stinging against her skin heard the undeniable sound of clothing rip. The sudden pain of the swirling sand was too much and she pushed against his chest with as much force she could muster. It made no difference Gaara's hold on her didn't budge. She managed to turn her face away from his forceful kiss.
Gaara's grip on her loosened, he let her black hair run like silken strands through his fingers as he let her go. The tears made her sightblurry as she clutched his arm trying to hang on to part of him when he was slipping through her fingers, she could feel him withdrawing into himself shutting her out and anyone else that might try to approach him. Gaara made a move to leave yet she stopped him her fingers tightening painfully around his arm.
"I'm sorry." Hinata suddenly whispered out against his ear.
"For what?" Gaara's voice lost its bitterness instead it sounded forlorn. "For falling in love with your teammate?"
Hinata shook her head trying to keep herself from crying at his statement. Didn't he know that there was only one man she loved? That there was only one man she would ever let touch her.
Gaara rolled off her; he lay on his back staring up at the ceiling.
"Sorry for being forced to marry me?" Gaara continued his voice was low. He made a move to leave again.
"Please don't leave." Hinata whispered.
Gaara stilled, he turned his head and looked at her. His breathing was heavy, his chest burned and all he wanted to do was flee from her. However her silent plea held him in place. "You won't like my company." He whispered his voice hoarse from the tears he had swallowed. His mind was frantic with all these new emotions coming over him it was too much, and if he stayed he might lose control of himself.
"Try me…" Hinata whispered.
Gaara tried to take a steady breath of air tried to concentrate on withdrawing himself from his emotions. Hinata could see the pain in his gaze, the hurt and confusion that crossed his face as he hesitated. Then with an aggravated growl his hands stripped her of her garments and ran across her bare skin non to gently, he pushed her down on the comforters further her skin gleamed like pale gold in the warm light of the fire.
He leaned over her hovering as their eyes met; a look of determination was in Gaara's eyes like he was going to show her how much she had hurt him. That he was the only one that could love her as much as he did. Her lavender eyes held sorrow and grief for her actions.
Gaara's lips suddenly crashed against hers again, her head forced back arching her spine until her breasts were pressed fully against his chest. His lips moved over hers again and again in agonizing passion as if he was trying desperately to prove his feelings to her. She moaned sadly as his lips slid off hers to kiss down her cheek and come to a rest at her ear his breath tickled.
"No one will ever kiss you the way I do." His voice was harsh.
Hinata desperately wanted to tell him she never wanted anyone to kiss her but him, that she never yearned for anyone but him. His knee forced her legs apart as his mouth traced downward to her breasts and the blistering heat of his lips seared her flesh until she felt she was on fire. His lips landed on the juncture of her neck and shoulder, teeth nipped at her skin. His hand ran down the inside of her thigh to stroke behind her knee making her shiver as she moved her leg over his back. His mouth returned to take hers and she found herself clasping him to her and yielding to his flaming kisses, allowing her to be swept away by his hurt, and anger mixed with consuming passion.
She gasped half in surprise by the slight pain she felt at his sudden entrance. He wasn't gentle like he usually was; no, he was rough. Gaara's face was against her throat and she felt the coldness of his tears against her hot skin. It was at that moment that she realized she had broken his heart. Her unheeded action had brought Gaara grief. Finally, the towering passion was spent leaving Gaara shaking slightly a top of her, his silent tears burning her deeply.
Gently she placed her hands on either side of his face and lifted his head; she brushed his red hair out of his face and brushed her thumbs across the wetness of his cheek. His green–blue eyes were hazy with pain, passion, and confusion. She could tell he was ashamed of what he had just done to her. With trembling lips she raised her head to kiss him, her soft lips pressed against his cold hard ones but he wouldn't budge, his lips unmoving beneath her own as she sought to show that she wasn't hurt or angry. When she was just about ready to give up on him his lips moved softly over hers but not in a kiss he was mumbling something against her lips.
"No one will ever love you the way I do."
Hinata blinked at his tone, he said it as a cold fact, a declaration, a statement, a threat, and she shivered involuntarily as he rolled off her. Her hands slid off his back to fall uselessly at her sides as his warmth left her making her feel empty inside. He sat up his back to her, his head turned to stare into the dying flames of the fire. There was a slight shaking of his shoulders. What could she do to heal the emotional pain he was going through? She watched in the dying embers as he bowed his head.
She listened as he got dressed knowing it wouldn't matter what she said or what she did he was not going to stay with her tonight. Gaara walked out of the room closing the door with an audible click. It felt just like the first time they had made love only far worse. This time Hinata had grown to love Gaara and now he didn't just leave her with the dying embers of the fire but also the dying embers of their love.