Chapter Twenty-Five
"Damn it," Kankuro cursed under his breath, "Just when he was finally getting over her."
"You don't approve then?"
Kankuro spun and snarled, "What the hell do you want, Hyuuga?"
"I've come in support of my cousin," Neji arched an eyebrow, "Your sister seems happy about their arrangement."
"My sister is a chick!" He growled, "She might act like a guy sometimes but she's a chick at heart. She wants Gaara to have a happy ending so bad that she's blinded herself to the other more realistic reasons your cousin is here."
"Why do you think she's here?" Neji inquired lightly.
Kankuro narrowed his eyes, "Why are you asking me? You should know, you're her cousin."
Neji inclined his head, "Yes, just as Gaara is your brother."
Kankuro studied his opponent's deceptively lax posture, "What about it?"
"You don't approve of my cousin dating your brother," he spoke calmly, "I'm thinking that I might agree. Hinata can do far better."
He turned to leave when he was suddenly wrapped in chakra strings.
"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Kankuro sneered.
"So this is the infamous teddy bear, huh?" Tsunade studied the toy with a skeptical glance before tossing it to Ino, "It's cute, I guess."
Ino nodded her agreement before carelessly tossing the bear to it's owner.
Hinata caught the bear with an abused expression and held it protectively least they snatch it away again.
"So what's the game plan?" Tsunade asked as she reclined on the bed.
"Plan?" Hinata tilted her head and glanced at Ino.
She shrugged.
"Yeah, plan," Tsunade quirked a brow, "Don't tell me you think it's settled just because he gave you the bear."
Startled, Hinata blinked at it, "The bear . . .is a renewal of our agreement."
"Agreement?"
"Gaara . . .is very business minded," Hinata hid her face in the soft plush, "What do I do?"
"Business?" Tsunade snorted, "No wonder your relationship is dragging. Look, what you need to do is march up to that boy and kiss the hell out of him, then when he's in complete shock, tell him in no uncertain terms that he belongs to you and if he ever strays you'll kill him."
Ino giggled, "That'll throw the business from his mind, all right."
Hinata flushed, "I don't think . . . You think he'll be shocked?"
"Sweet, shy thing like you putting on the moves first," the Hokage smirked, "I say he'll be more than shocked, I say you'll knock him flat on his ass!"
Hinata tried to picture it and failed as she saw herself pressing a shy kiss to his cheek before falling into a dead faint only to wake up to him kissing her and fainting again.
Ino lifted a brow skeptically, "I don't know, he's a gentleman but he must have a lot of repressed emotions. I say she kisses him, he blinks, and then she'll have to beat him off with a stick."
Hinata blushed even deeper as she poked her fingers together shyly.
"Hmm," Tsunade turned it over in her head, "How much do you want to bet?"
"Bet?" Both girls echoed with surprise and dismay, "I don't think that's such a good idea-"
"Nonsense," Tsunade waved away their concerns, "It's just a harmless bet. If I win Ino has to write the mission report and if I lose then I'll assign you guys some easy missions."
Hinata bit her lip nervously, "And if he doesn't do either of those things?"
"Then I'll make Neji write the report and Naruto carry all our bags home," Tsunade nodded to herself.
"But they're not even part of the bet," Hinata protested.
"Don't care," Tsunade shrugged, "Now about your clothes."
Neji regarded the puppeteer with the trademark Hyuuga stare that he had mastered at the tender age of ten, "I meant it exactly how it sounded. Lady Hinata has her pick of the entire village including such famed ninja as the Copy Cat ninja so why should she need to look elsewhere for a husband?"
"If that's true then why is she here?" Kankuro glared, "Admit it, she just wants the status of being a kage's wife."
"If that was what she wanted then she's simply marry Naruto and be done with it," he shrugged of the chakra strings like they weren't even there, "Everyone knows he's headed there. The elders are just waiting for him to mature a bit more and, before you accuse her of being a gold digger, let me remind you that the Hyuuga clan has long been a prestigious family held in the highest regard."
"And?"
"And that means her dowry is probably larger then anything Sand could scrap together," Neji smirked, "There are richer men in Leaf."
"If the guys in Leaf are so great then why is she sniffing after the Kazekage?!" His hands fisted in outrage.
"I haven't the faintest," Neji lifted his chin, "I know it isn't to broaden her social circle. Your brother is a borderline recluse-"
"You know nothing about my brother!" Kankuro snarled, "Or what he could offer your precious cousin!"
"Perhaps," he shrugged minutely, "However, if you are determined to cast Lady Hinata as a deceiving gold digger who's only out for what she can get then I have no choice but to paint your brother as a mentally unstable dictator who is as likely to kill her as he is to show some semblance of human emotion." Neji's eyes were hard, "For as much as I do not know your brother, you do not know my cousin."
He turned sharply to take his leave when the puppeteer's words stopped him in his tracks.
"I know enough to recall you tried to kill her."
Temari was escorting Naruto to his room when a loud 'No!' sounded followed by a mad scrambling that had them racing to the noise. They burst into the room and stopped dead at the sight of Hinata standing on the bed in a defensive stance as Ino and Tsunade eyed her warily.
Temari glanced over at Naruto in question, he shrugged, and bellowed, "What are you guys doing?! It sounded like you were trying to kill each other in here!"
"Naruto-!" Hinata let out a yelp as Ino forcibly tackled her to the bed, "Stop it! Get off me!"
Naruto took a step forward only for Tsunade to block him, "It's all right, brat, it's good for her."
Temari studied the scene, "Is this some kind of Leaf ritual?"
"Ino!" Hinata squirmed and managed to jab the other girl in arm, "I'll wear what I want!"
Ino tumbled off the bed with a startled yell, "I can't move my arm!"
Hinata sat up looking extremely harassed as she clutched the edges of her jacket together.
Tsunade reached over and snatched it off the girl, "It's much too hot for that."
"Lady Hokage!" Hinata was off the bed, "Please return my jacket!"
"No," Tsunade smirked, "You'll leave it off for at least one night or I'll rip it in half right now."
Temari watched her future sister-in-law's internal struggle, "This might not be the best time but you are all invited to dinner with us tonight."
"Really?" Hinata blushed and made a grab for her jacket.
Tsunade kept it out of her reach absently, "All right, we'll be there."
Temari nodded and then eyed the other two girls, particularly Ino, "If you're worried about what to wear then I can supply some-"
"We'll be fine," Ino waved away the offer, "Some of us have too much on to begin with!"
Temari bobbed her brows, "If you say so."
"Are you sure? Temari's the best dressed kunoichi in her village," Naruto smiled at the startled looks that were sent his way.
"You think so?" Temari smirked back, "I didn't think you were the type to notice things like that."
Ino frowned as she focused on them.
"I know I can be dense but even I notice when every Sand ninja has trouble taking their eyes of you," Naruto laughed, "I can't say I blame them, though, I've been having trouble myself."
"Is that a fact?" Temari leaned in close but didn't bother lowering her voice, "Well, in that case, you're in for a treat tonight."
"Oh," Naruto blushed, "I'll look forward to it."
"You're cute," she ruffled his hair, "Please don't feel the need to dress up, we like to keep things casual." She waved a goodbye.
Ino shut the door before turning to Naruto, "What the hell was that?"
He eyed the blonde slowly, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You . . .were flirting!" Ino accused, half scandalized and half stunned that he was actually capable of more than unconscious compliments.
He waited a tick before smiling warmly at her
She relaxed at the gesture as she already could hear his lighthearted denial and how he would never flirt with such a tall, uncouth-
"I don't think it's any of your business, Ino," his smile never wavered as he joined Hinata and Tsunade, "Just let Hinata have her jacket back, Granny, she looks hot in anything she wears."
"My clothing is perfectly functional," Hinata snapped and then squeaked as she was spun around, "Naruto?"
"Don't misunderstand me, Hinata," he held her eyes, "You are gorgeous no matter what you wear. Gaara won't be able to concentrate if you don't wear the jacket."
Ino's hands fisted as the other girl shifted uncomfortably.
"Um . . .t-thank you . . .?" Hinata's cheeks burned as she realized the irony of this happening now, "Naruto, this isn't . . .appropriate."
"Jeez, brat, when did you learn to turn on the charm?" Tsunade tossed the jacket behind her.
He released the kunoichi to shrug, "Two of my sensei are the most notorious perverts in the Leaf and I know for a fact that both perverts from experience. Kakashi-sensei can be beyond smooth when he's in the mood for it."
"Naruto," Hinata was concerned, "Why are you acting like this?"
"What are you talking about, Hinata?" Naruto snorted, "It's been a long time and I'm a lot more capable than I used to be."
He brushed pass Ino without a word.
"What's up with him?" Tsunade echoed Hinata's concern.
"He discovered his romantic side," Ino's mouth was clenched with temper and the only reason she didn't rip him a new one was the flower in her hair.
Neji turned slowly, "I also recall a time when your brother would as soon kill you as soon as look at you."
"You're a talker," Kankuro's mouth twisted, "I remember that as well so stop dancing around and get to the point!"
"I thought I made it already," Neji was perfectly blank, "You can no more control your brother than I can my cousin and, while we both have some reservations, they are both more than they seem."
"So I should give her the benefit of the doubt, is that it?"
"You may do whatever you wish," Neji let his eyes harden, "Just know I will do the same."
The Hyuuga left and Kankuro had to admit the bastard was good. Now all he had to do was decide what he was going to do about it.
Gaara appeared at the girls suite promptly and knocked.
The door swung open to reveal a smirking Hokage, "Why, Lord Kazekage, I didn't know you could clean up so well."
He was dressed simply in a crimson shirt and pants that somehow didn't clash with his hair. His black undershirt matched the sash around his waist to reveal a surprisingly lanky figure.
"You are also presentable," he returned and tried to glance past her.
"Not so fast lover boy," Tsunade blocked his gaze easily with a shift of weight, "We need to talk."
"I already signed back the one percent as agreed," Gaara narrowed his eyes, "Anything else can be discussed in my office."
Tsunade just crossed her arms, "Don't think it will be that easy. Hinata is not just a ninja in my employ, she is also a clan heiress and possesses a very valuable bloodline."
"Hinata is the one who decides where this goes," Gaara crossed his arms as he mirrored her posture, "Perhaps you should discuss this with her."
The tension skyrocketed as both Kage refused to back down.
"Hey, sorry we're late," Kankuro and Temari appeared robbed in shades of browns and blues respectively.
"Lady Tsunade," Temari bowed, "Please this way to the dining room."
Tsunade quirked a brow and let herself be led away, "Touché."
Gaara nodded, knowing he had won this round but that more would be on the way.
"Gaara?"
He blinked at the sight before him. She had dressed simply without her jacket but she could have been covered in mud and he would have still stared like she was a tall glass of water in the middle of the desert.
A laughed sounded and Naruto threw an arm both of them, "I told you! Gaara, pull yourself together! This can't be the first time you've seen her without a jacket!"
He grinned and gave them a gentle push in the right direction.
Gaara blinked and then offered his arm.
Hinata smiled and took it.
Naruto trailed after them with a smile.
Ino touched the flower in her hair forlornly as she stared after her fellow blond.
Neji cleared his throat and offered his arm.
She took it, knowing very well that he was just being polite and she was grateful for his interference. Naruto Uzumaki was a dense idiot and she was going to put an end to his games.
The dinner went along pleasantly enough though it was painfully obvious that Gaara and Hinata were holding hands under the table. Everyone politely pretended not to notice. Naruto took it upon himself to fill the silence and was in the middle of a story when Gaara reached over to place a white cactus flower in Hinata's hair.
She blushed prettily and ducked her head to peek at him through her lashes.
"Careful, Gaara," Kankuro sipped his drink, "They're Leaf ninja. They don't know what that means."
Naruto grinned and leaned back to watch the show.
"Actually," Ino beamed, "Naruto told us about the beautiful fable behind the cactus flower and your family."
All three Sand siblings stiffened and Temari arched a brow sharply, "Beautiful fable?"
Here we go, Neji sighed internally.
"Yes, the one with the peasant and the princess," Ino clarified with a frown as uneasiness stirred in her stomach.
"You mean the bandit and the ice bitch?" Kankuro smirked.
"Or the master thief and the high price call girl?" Temari tilted her head, amusement sparked her eyes.
"What did he tell you?" Gaara leaned forward with interest.
She glanced at Naruto for help and he just smiled at her.
Tsunade eyed them before sighing, "Go on, Ino."
Humiliated, she quickly recounted the tale, pausing when the siblings couldn't contain their laugher.
"Naruto," the blatant amusement in Gaara's voice said it all.
"Well, what's the real story then?" Ino was fuming and very close to bursting into tears.
"Well, the job titles change around but basically you get this guy, usually a bad one, who wants this chick who would rather spit on him rather than boink him," Kankuro grinned lecherously, "And he really want to boink her."
"Long story short," Temari shot her brother a warning look, "He makes a deal with an evil spirit in the desert to get enough power to force the issue."
"More recent versions say the evil spirit was Shukaku," Gaara inserted emotionlessly.
Hinata gave his hand a supporting squeeze.
"I think I've heard it," Tsunade smirked, "So that's about your family?"
"Anyway," Kankuro shrugged, "The chick, now helpless to the allure of his ill-gotten power, boinks him against her families wishes. Whenever he wanted to boink her, he would signal her by leaving a cactus flower on her window sill."
"So . . .the flower . . .?" Ino pulled it from her hair.
"Well, let's just say if a girl's got a flower in her hair, depending on the color, then she's getting boinked," Kankuro winked at the outraged girl, "The purple one . . .well . . . I'll see you in your room later?"
"Kankuro!" Temari tried to muffle her laughter as the mutilated flower flew across the room to hit Naruto in the chest.
He nudged the flower to the side, "Sorry, Ino, I'm not interested."
Laughter sounded all around as the blonde launched herself across the table to strangle him.
Sand caught her and returned her to her seat, "There will be no violence here."
"Then I will respectfully take my leave," she hissed and flounced out of the room.
"God, Naruto, that was almost cruel," Tsunade wiped away an amused tear.
"Almost?" Temari chuckled, "It doesn't help the fact that she was wearing all purple either."
"I didn't know the purple ones were the worst," he was almost sheepish.
"What do the white ones mean?" Neji inquired sharply and everyone's eyes shot to the flower in Hinata's hair.
Kankuro smiled and answered despite Gaara's glare, "It means I intend to boink you."
Hinata jerked her hand away with a squeak to stare incredulously at Gaara's wide eyes before tipping over in a dead faint.
Gaara dove to catch her and his sand cushioned the rest of the fall.
Pissed green eyes barely cleared the table and Kankuro's amusement died a quick death.
"It was just a joke," he defended weakly.
"I knew the Leaf ninja would have no idea behind the meaning of the flower," he stated in a controlled voice as he lifted her into his arms, "It was merely a gesture with no hidden meanings."
"Right," Temari snorted, "No hidden meaning whatsoever."
Gaara switched his glare to his sister, "Not everyone likes to cloud watch."
Temari flushed and Kankuro burst into laughter.
He went to move past the table, "There are some matter I need to discuss with her."
"She's unconscious," Tsunade narrowed her eyes, "What can you possibly discuss with her in that state?"
"She will awaken shortly," Gaara assured.
"If anyone has the right to protest, Lady Tsunade, then it would be me," Neji shifted carefully in his seat, "As a clan member who is both male and older."
Tsunade snorted and leaned back, "I highly doubt your uncle would approve."
"My uncle isn't here," Neji watched Kankuro shift forward nonchalantly. The message instantly clear.
Do something to prevent this and I'll do something.
He tightened his jaw, it went against everything he was raised to believe in but . . .
"She will be the most loved and protected woman in all of the elemental countries," Haku giggled.
Gaara stared at him steadily.
"I leave her in your care," Neji nodded his approval and hoped he hadn't made the biggest mistake of his life.
Gaara quickly departed before there were any more protests.
Tsunade nabbed a sake bottle, "All right, runts, I am now officially on vacation. Don't bother me or you'll have the crappiest mission I can make up for three months. Neji, if anything happens with Hinata then it will be on your head."
Temari smirked as soon as the Hokage left, "And you didn't want to come."
Kankuro met Neji's eyes, "It was far more entertaining than I might have guessed."
"Now the only question left is why Naruto is such a flirt tonight?" Temari winked at him.
"Just proving a point," he grinned and then winced, "though, I didn't mean to imply that Ino was desperate for a date."
"I'll talk to her," Temari slid out of her chair, "Something tells me a heart to stubborn heart is needed."
The door clicked shut softly.
"So what did she do?" Kankuro inquired intently.
Neji locked his eyes on the blond to catch his every movement.
"I'm just showing her not to joke around when it comes to feelings," his grin was a little bland, "It's not a nice feeling."
"I think she took it to heart," Neji snarked and grabbed an unopened bottle of sake, "You better be right, Naruto."
"I am," his smiled turned genuine and he held out his glass for some sake.
Kankuro held out his glass as well, "Truce?"
Neji poured, "Truce."
Hinata awoke in Gaara's arms. She knew by the shape and smell that it was him before she even opened her eyes. She curled further into his body relishing the feeling of those arms tightening around her. When she did open her eyes, she found they were alone in a dark room with candles here and there with her firmly planted in his lap.
His fingers were gently tracing the line of her cheek over and over as if he could memorize the exact shape to the millimeter if he repeated the process enough. His other hand was locked gently with hers as he rubbed the back of her hand against his cheek.
"The cactus flower means enduring love," his voice was a low rumble in his chest that sent shivers across her skin, "A second meaning to the flower is maternal love. Kankuro's interpretation was crud but accurate description of the current consensus."
She lifted her free hand to find the white flower still in her hair, "You gave me one?"
His hands paused, "It matched your eyes and I saw how you wanted one. Naruto's story was completely romanticized but . . . I think I prefer it to the real one."
Her hand lowered from her hair to clutch lightly at his chest, "Where's everyone?"
"I left them to finish dinner," he lowered their joint hands into her lap while the other trailed down her arm, "We will not be interrupted here."
Hinata exhaled softly at the implication, her heart skipping a beat, "You carried me here?"
He nodded and smoothed her hair away from her face so he could see her eyes, "Are you tired? Do you wish to retire for the night?"
"No, I-" She cut herself off sharply and started again, "I want to spend some time with you."
Tension she hadn't even known he had been harboring drained away from his body and a shadow of a smile pulled at his lips.
"I want that, too."
His head lowered to nuzzle his cheek against hers.
She swallowed, slightly breathless as she remembered Tsunade's advice.
"Gaara?" She gently freed her hand.
He pulled back enough to meet her eyes but was still close enough to brush noses with her if he wasn't careful.
"I . . . Let me . . ." She lifted trembling hands to cup his cheeks.
He made no move to dissuade her and let his face sink into her hands as his eyelids went to half-mast.
She licked her lips and then softly pressed them against his mouth.
His eyes shot open with shock as she pulled away with a deep blush covering her face. He didn't let her get too far as he slowly pulled her back to him.
She trembled as his fingers carefully sunk into her hair and he touched his forehead to hers.
"Are you certain?" His voice held the slightest tremor.
"Yes, I-"
He pressed his lips to hers desperately as he tried to engrave this moment into his memory. The feel of her lips against his, the feel of her body twisting in his lap, the smell of her, and, most of all, the feelings raging across his body as his every nerve ending seemed to explode with sensation.
That she would grant him this intimacy shook him to the core.
It must have been pity but he was so desperate for the contact that he couldn't bring himself to care what motivated her.
Only that she was here now.
With him.
She twisted again, obviously uncomfortable being draped across his lap, and he compensated by lifting her so she could straddle him.
Hinata gasped against his mouth as one of his hands abandoned her hair to snake around the small of her back to press her tightly against him.
Ino was right, she thought absently, she was going to have to beat him off with a stick.
Gaara's mouth parted as well as his spine arched involuntarily at the feel of her breast squashed against his chest. He had no resistance for the feel of a hot body pressed against his and relished the contact. God, he was never going to be able to forget this . . . She . . . That she would be willing . . .
The feeling passed as he panted against her mouth and wondered when he had run out of breath.
Frustrated, Hinata pressed her open mouth against his to shyly flick her tongue into his parted lips to show him she wanted more sensation, more emotion, more of him . . .
He jerked away from her with surprise to stare at her with bright hot eyes only to quickly lean back in to timidly touch his tongue to her now closed mouth.
She parted her lips hesitantly, her boldness had passed as quickly as it had come, as they both shook with desire and uncertainty.
His tongue dipped into her mouth and met hers sending a jolt of heat traveled straight from his tongue to his groin.
Ever so carefully, they explored each other's mouth and slowly the kiss became hotter and faster as they learned each other's rhythm, not bothering with troublesome things such as breathing.
She moaned as he took control of the kiss and he started to scoot forward so she could move even deeper into his lap without her knees hitting the couch. She ran her hands hungrily across his back and it was her turn to arch her spine involuntarily when their groins finally aligned.
Her fingers dug into the back of his shirt, her nails scrapping through the fabric in such a way that made him clutch her harder to him.
He panted into her collar bone, he was on fire! His entire body seemed to pulse as instinct made him want to bear down on her until she submitted with her back on the floor beneath him. He could see her there as surely as if it were reality and this was the dream. Her flushed cheeks and swollen lips framed by a sea of black hair that he would readily drown in if he wasn't already lost to the emotion of dazed desire in her eyes.
Then he would claim her, dominate her, and everyone would know she was his to touch, to kiss, to l-
Gaara shut his eyes tightly and tried in vain to reign in his emotions. He had gone too far. He knew it would be easy to get lost in her, knew it would be difficult to keep his feelings distant for one with such a generous heart, and he knew he couldn't get so wrapped up in her touch to do something so foolish as to fall for her but he had and he'd fallen hard.
He fallen for the one girl he could never have, the one girl who was in love with his only friend, and would grant that friend the love and happiness he deserved for saving someone like him from the darkness.
I'm a horrible friend, tears pricked at the back of his eyes and he clenched them tighter, and I can't stop.
He needed to touch her and be touched as much as needed air to breath, he couldn't go back to nothing but scared looks and nervous twitches. He was already horribly addicted to her, and he knew, as viciously torn between guilt and pleasure as he was, that it was completely his fault.
He had fooled himself into believing that he was just helping Naruto, though, at first, that's all it was, and then the entire situation went out of control until he was twisting it to suit his own desires. Anything to prolong the contact between them, to increase it until there wasn't even air between them, and now, he saw it for what it really was, his own selfish desire to claim what wasn't his as his own.
He used her, ruined her chances of ever being with the one she loved, and, even now, he sought to tackle that last barrier between them.
He didn't deserve to inhabit that same village as her but he couldn't bring himself to let her go.
Completely overwhelmed and unsure of what happened next as he held her body to him desperately afraid she was going to be snatched away.
Hinata clutched back at him just as desperate and embarrassed by her brazen actions but somehow at the same time proud that she had in no uncertain terms showed him what she wanted and he had shown he wanted her to, now all she had to do was tell him of her feelings.
She kissed the top of his head and shivered when he returned the kiss to her collar bone. He hasn't even gone after my boobs! She realized with a dazed sort of wonder that the only way they had touched inappropriately was the way she was sitting in his lap.
He swallowed the lump in his throat, lifted his head and pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, "I will never forget this . . ."
He had to end this now before he crossed any more lines. She didn't deserve to be touched by him when the one she really loved was just a couple doors down the hallway. He had to stop before he did something unforgivable to his friend's future wife.
He would tell Naruto everything, it was the only way to redeem himself, and give Hinata the chance at happiness they both deserved. He would tell the blond of his impromptu assistance that had started this mess, the display of gratitude, the misunderstanding, the fake breakup, the fake make-up, and obviously the entire fake relationship.
Gaara would stress that nothing had happened between them of significance and that they only had Naruto's best interests in mind when they had started this plan that had backfired so completely. He would then promptly list all of Hinata's wonderful qualities, bluntly state her love, and insist they get married immediately or he'll kill the idiot on the spot.
Naruto would marry her and she would leave but he would at least have his memories and the paintings. The blond had probably already forgotten they existed and-
She leaned in to kiss him softly, "I love you."
His world shattered.
Hinata blinked as Gaara stiffened in her arms, "Gaara-"
A hand gripped her throat threateningly as she was jerked away from his body, "What did you just say?!"
Her back hit the floor, knocking the breath from her, as he followed her down to pin her in a mockery of an intimate embrace with one hand on her throat and the other braced on the floor beside her head.
Her breath returned with a sharp gasp as her hands came up to grip the hand on her neck nervously. He wasn't squeezing but he held her firmly. There was nowhere to go as he hovered over her body threatening like a predator about to rip out the throat of it's prey.
"I love you, Gaara. . ." A soft voice from his memory echoed and he lowered his head in an effort to push that voice away. "I wasn't ordered to kill you . . ."
He was almost in a fetal position above her, his long legs curled beneath him with his weight on the balls of his feet on either side of her hips. The hand on her neck seemed almost forgotten as the other now clutched at the symbol on his forehead.
"No one will ever love you . . ."
"Gaara-"
"Just tell me what you said," his voice trembled as his hand tightened on her pulse and lifted his eyes to hers, the emotions flashing too fast for her to catch.
"You're a monster who can love only himself. . ."
"What's wrong?" Hinata couldn't help the tears in her eyes and voice, "Why are you-"
"JUST TELL ME!"
"Of course I love you, Gaara, you are my beloved nephew. . ."
"I-I love you, Gaara," Hinata reached for his face, her tears going unnoticed as he jerked out of range and pinned her wrists to the floor. "I said I love you."
"Please die."
Gaara screamed.
End Chapter