Hey you guys! I will be moving forward with another story soon, since I'm almost finished with this one. I have also changed my mind about Angel Song; it will be an actual, complete story. For those of you who don't know, it will be the sequel to this story. I want to think everyone for the reviews, and in some cases P.M.s, they have really helped me out. In September, my mom and I will be going on a cruise, as a late graduation present, so the chapters may be delayed a bit during that month. Oh yes, one more thing, Shukaku doesn't do anything to her because he sort of sees her as a cross between a little sister and a daughter, in a weird kind of way. It's also more fun for him to torment Gaara. And one more thing, I am aware that not all Catholics dress like nuns or priests, I do have some Catholic friends; I just wanted to make sure that I didn't offend anybody. Okay, onwards with the chapter!
Chapter Twenty-nine
Gaara was still cranky, despite looking oh so sexy in his black kimono. It wasn't that he was impatient with Hinata; they still had an hour before they had to be there. Nor was he particularly vexed at the others, even if it was taking far longer than it should to get ready, really, men's kimonos were a lot less complicated than women's, at least here in Suna. No, he was pissy because he had to greet each and every one of his guests personally. At least everyone wasn't here yet, because they still had a week until the actual formal ceremony.
Upstairs Hinata was being assaulted by the girls, who were putting on her make-up and fixing her hair. They knew that Gaara preferred hair to be naturally pinned up without hairspray. The smell was offensive to him. Part of her hair was pinned up, with decorative hair pins holding it in place. Her side bangs were left down, however, and were given a slight curl. The bun was made to look like an intricate knot, with a jeweled flower set on top and smaller jeweled pins dispersed over the rest of her hair. Wine colored lipstick was added, and charcoal grey eye-shadow tastefully added to her eyes. Her eyelashes were long and already fanned out gracefully, so mascara was not needed. Lucky girl.
Finally it was time for the kimono to be revealed. It was a deep shade of wine, with flowers embroidered in black and charcoal grey. She even had a matching fan. Orochimaru had yet to reveal where he found it. When she went down the stairs she encountered a moody Gaara. He still hadn't quite simmered down after the fiasco with Sakura.
He heard a familiar pitter-pat sound behind him. He knew those footsteps. Only one person's feet went pitter-pat. Smirking slightly, his mood improving a little, he turned to receive the shock of his life. Standing in front of him was the most beautiful woman in the world. He stood there staring at her for a while, and was finally able to come to his senses when she blushed and looked down shyly. He gave her a positively wicked smirk and sauntered over to her.
"Oh my my, what do we have here? I have a feeling that my self-control is about to be tested far more than it ever has before, you tasty little morsel." He purred seductively in her ear, making her blush even more. His words were true; her scent was driving him insane, and her creamy throat was begging to be kissed. However, noble as he was, he restrained himself, and instead slipped his arm into hers.
The meeting went alright, and Gaara was justifiably proud of himself. Unfortunately, he had no idea that, three days from now, she was going to hit him with a double whammy.
This was the first ball. Her hair was down, her make-up light and tasteful, and she was wearing her black dress. It draped wonderfully over her body, revealing just enough to tantalize the mind. It had very fine silver sparkles on it, so it looked like stars on a night sky. The dress came to just above her ankles, and was lightly constructed, perfect for dancing. And that was exactly what he did. The slow dance went well, and he gave her a kiss on her cheek, which made her blush prettily. Shukaku gave him the third degree later that night for not frenching her. He told him to shut up. He couldn't help but think that when Kisame referred to the little black dress, he wasn't kidding…
None of this, however, prepared him for the official tea ceremony. Shukaku was able to attend, because he just barely passed the test he got on manners. Gaara was again waiting downstairs, this time in his black and red kage robes. When he looked up, he could've sworn he saw a goddess. Hinata was wearing a navy kimono with lilies embroidered in white and silver thread. Her hair was pulled up and held in place by a matching silver lily pin. In her hands she had a matching fan, which she closed as she glided over to him.
Her make up was again tastefully done, and her long eyelashes whispered softly against her cheeks as she blinked up at him. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take…
"You seem to have made it your mission to test the limits of my self control, my little dove." He gave her a light kiss on the cheek, while desperately trying to think of something un-arousing. It wasn't working.
At the tea ceremony, Hinata was the most charming member of the group, even outdoing the feudal mist lord's daughter. (In all honesty, she was a whiney bitch with an annoying laugh, so it wasn't much of a contest anyways.) Shukaku caught Gaara's eye from across the room and gave him a knowing wink, but didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
Orochimaru had taught them more than just manners, apparently. He had given Shukaku key information about Sakura's escape, and helped him form a plan to find out just who had helped her. It was a plan that Gaara wouldn't approve of, even Shukaku had his reservations about it. But, if they ever wanted to find out who it was, they had to be willing to do whatever it takes. War was a dirty, business, not at all like the way it was portrayed in stories. Oh sure, there were heroes all right, but there was also the parts that nobody wanted to talk about. The interrogations, the torture; that was only the tip of the ice burg. Information was everything in war, and you had to be willing to do whatever it takes to get it. They didn't want Gaara's hands to be stained in this particular scheme, so it was best that they just leave him out until they got what they needed.
However, what Orochimaru taught Hinata was just mischief. He had taught her how a proper lady or geisha flirted with their customers or dates, at least in Suna. So when she and Gaara sat down, she "accidentally" brushed his leg with hers. When she reached for his cup to pour the tea, she also "accidentally" brushed his fingers with hers. Such behavior continued throughout the ceremony, and Gaara was very, very grateful that they were sitting down. This was not helping his self control. When he saw the snakes face, however, he knew. So, she wanted to play, huh? Well, two can play at this little game.
He gave a wicked smirk, unnerving several of the feudal lords and making the ladies swoon. He then allowed his arm to "accidentally" brush hers. He also "accidentally" brushed the side of her leg just so with his. When he raised his hand up to his chin his fingers brushed her upper arm slightly by "mistake." And, since she had to bow before she rose, his robe, seemingly of its own accord, lightly scraped the back of her neck. It was fortunate for her that she had time to collect herself, because she was now blushing like mad. The killing blow, however, came on their way out, when they were going through the door. Under the pretense of protecting her, his fingers lightly ghosted across the small of her back. She went red.
Ha! You got a taste of your own medicine, you little minx!
Shukaku and Orochimaru laughed quietly and gave each other a high-five. Sometimes a couple needed a nudge in the right direction.
Shukaku, much to his dismay, had a mission to carry out. He strolled by the flower shop, where Ino worked part time. He strolled up to her.
"Hey there, pretty girl."
"Um, hi, did you need some flowers?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"Mm, actually, I came looking for you."
"W-why?" Man this guy was hot!
"Well, you see, I have two tickets to the ball tonight. I've seen you around, and I thought that it would be fun to take you. Interested?"
"I-I- well, I would love to, but I don't have a dress."
"Oh, that's no big deal. I know a great shop to get one. I got my suit from the same place. C'mon, I'll show you." In the end, she chose a flashy teal dress. Shukaku almost felt guilty about what he was going to do to her.
Before the dance, as Hinata was getting ready, she was in for an unusual surprise. After a knock on her door, Temari came in. Hinata regarded her warily, as all of her previous experiences with the eldest sibling had been less than pleasant.
"Hinata, can we talk?" Hinata looked pointedly at her in exasperation. She grabbed her tablet, which was never far away.
You can talk, I write, remember? Temari had the decency to look guilty at her oversight.
"Oops, sorry about that, what I meant was, can I- well, look, I'm sorry for being such a bitch to you, okay? I guess I was sort of jealous of your relationship with Gaara."
Jealous? Why? You're his sister, aren't you? Wouldn't it be weird for you to have a relationship like mine with him?
"Not a romantic relationship! That's just gross! No, I meant that, well, you see-" She gave an exasperated sigh and sat down. "We've never been close. Now that I look back on it, it was always Kankuro and I against him. I was like the other villagers; all I could see was a monster, and not my brother. I always looked after Kankuro, who didn't really need it, and left Gaara to fend for himself, even though he probably needed it the most.
"He, as a little kid, was always alone, and he never had any friends. Instead of inviting him to hang out with me, I ignored him. I suppose it was because I was Yashamaru's favorite, I thought I was immune to Gaara. After all, he always minded our uncle. I was a shallow bitch to him as a child, and then I became a coward, always running away from him. For a long time I blamed everything on him. Then one day you came along." She turned and looked at Hinata.
"At first I thought you were a weakling, just some sort of pet to him. Even after we fought I still didn't want to admit that you had something that I could've had, if I had been smarter. It wasn't until Shukaku came to me a while ago that I finally realized the truth."
Flashback
"Hey you, Blondie." She turned to see Shukaku striding towards her.
"Yes?"
"What the hell's your problem?"
"What?"
"You heard me, why the hell are you such a bitch?"
"I don't understand." It was not wise to provoke a demon.
"To Hinata! What the hell did she ever do to you, you little slut?"
"She thinks she's all that just because she's his little pet! And because of that she gets away with crap that no one else could ever dream of! Just because she fucks him-"
SLAP
"Oh come off it, that's not it, and you know it. The girl's still a virgin, but that's not the issue. You know what your problem is? Here's the short story: as an older sister it was your job to look after your brothers, both of them, but instead you decided that Kankuro was more important, and so was your social life, so you shoved him aside when he needed you the most. Then, when you realized that he could kick your ass you ran away like a coward, only using him to boost your own status. Instead of comforting him or helping him out, or simply being there for him, you ran off at night to go screw one of your little boy-toys. You didn't pay any attention to him until she came along, and you saw how good he was to her. That's when you realized that he didn't need you anymore, and that he didn't trust you worth shit. You're jealous that she has his trust and love, whereas you have nothing, and you have no one else to blame but yourself. Take a look in the mirror, toots, and start owning up to your mistakes." With that, he walked off, leaving a stunned Temari.
End flashback
"So, I guess the thing to say is that I'm sorry. Is there anyway I can make it up to you?"
Yes, go to Gaara and tell him what you told me. You owe him an apology much more than you owe me.
Temari drew a shaky breath; then nodded.
"Thanks, Hinata."
After she left, Hinata continued to get ready.
Gaara, meanwhile, had been busy with his own problems. It was finally in today. He had been waiting for it forever, but it was finally in, and it was worth it. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face.
In the meantime, Hinata was getting a little nervous; she had no clue as to how Gaara would react this time. The last dress had short sleeves, but this one had only this straps that the girls called "spaghetti straps." Why were they called that? They were thin, but not that thin! Isn't fettuccini more accurate? She liked that stuff, especially with chicken and that cheese sauce called Alfredo. Orochimaru just took her odd questions in stride; there was nothing he could really do about them anyway.
"Oh yes, he is just going to die when he sees you come down the stairs!"
She looked alarmed. She didn't want him to die! Seeing her expression, he reassured her.
"I don't mean that literally! It's just a phrase! It means that he will be very pleasantly surprised at how lovely you are!" while explaining this to her, he was gesturing wildly with the lip gloss she was to wear. She obediently held still while Kameko applied her eye-shadow, then the lip gloss that the snake handed her. Eviko and Chiko were doing her hair, while Asa, armed with a lint roller, made sure that there was no unwanted fuzzies on her gown. Finished, she was about to go downstairs, but Deidara stopped her.
"No, un. The guy has to wait for the girl, not the other way around, un. You stay here, and I'll keep watch, un. Then, when he's here, un, I'll come get you, okay, un?" she nodded, and he scurried out to play at being a super spy, complete with humming the theme song from Mission Impossible. (I don't own Mission Impossible.)
Gaara got in and had to hurry to get ready. Fortunately, he had the foresight to lay out his stuff earlier in the day. He was going to wear a black tux with a wine colored tie. Oh, and those shiny black dress shoes that annoyed him. He didn't like wearing shiny shoes, it felt weird. Maybe it was the socks.
So it was that he found himself at the bottom of the stairs, again, waiting on Hinata, who was undoubtedly being detained by Orochimaru and Deidara for some unknown reason, again. He knew this because he saw the pyromaniac spying on him and humming that damn theme-song!
"Deidara, get your ass ready!" he sprang up, and took off running.
"ABORT UN ABORT ABORT UN!" He screamed as he ran to his room.
"Idiot." When he turned back to the stair well, he saw her, finally. She was beautiful. The gown was a deep violet, with lavender flowers and silver glass seed beads embroidered on it. Her hair was swept up off her neck, held in place with silver jeweled pins. Her eyes were touched lightly with lavender eye-shadow, and a light gloss was applied to her lips. The only thing missing was a necklace.
When he finally came to, he remembered his present.
"You are beautiful, Hinata," he managed to murmur. He desperately tried to get his hormones under control and to get his brain to think. Her scent wasn't helping matters. Give her the damn present, you retard!
"Hmm, but there is something missing, I wonder what it could be?" he circled her, while she began to panic. What did she do wrong? He was behind her now.
"Now I see, you don't have a necklace. Well, I just so happen to have one for you." With that he attached his present to her neck. It was a white gold chain, with a black opal pendent. In the black opal was a little dove made of white opal. The pendent must have cost quite a bit, and it had the desired effect. She was stunned, and he was chuckling at her expression.
"Now, my love, you are perfect." He kissed her cheek gently.
"Awwww!" they turned to see Shukaku, the former akatasuki, the girls and Orochimaru to be grinning and murmuring about how cute they were. They also noticed something else, and it was unthinkable. Kameko's outfit actually matched.
It was a teal gown, with a matching pendent with a teal-colored stone. Her earrings matched the pendent, and her hair was teal, as was her lipstick and eye-shadow. She had her arm hooked around Itachi's. Eviko was in a golden gown, with a simple gold chain and pendent. She and Kisame were standing together. Asa was in a dark green gown with her husband, and Chiko was in a red gown, her arm linked around Deidara's. Sasori was meeting his date there, as was Shukaku. Orochimaru and Kimimaro were standing together. They headed off through the door.
Gaara was surprisingly enjoying himself, shiny shoes and all. It must have had something to do with the lovely lady he was slow-dancing with. Hinata was resting her cheek against his chest, and he was holding her close, contemplating just how she had completely changed his life, as well as the rest of his clan's. he was, for the first time in his life, truly happy. He had never thought it possible until she came around. He though back to when he first say her, in the Kazekage tower, and to when he first touched her, when she was stuck under his balcony. He had never dreamed she would affect everything so much.
On the other side of the dance floor, Shukaku danced with Ino.
"You know, you never told me your name."
"Ah, so I haven't. how rude of me. my name is Shuku."
"Shuku? Seems like and odd name."
"Well, I'm an odd person, Ino."
"Odd isn't necessarily bad, I like odd, in this case. Especially since you have a cute butt."
"Oh? Well, I must say that your butt is just as attractive, if not more. I don't remember the last time I saw such a nice rear. Mmm, you're pretty from the front and back, lucky me." Ino laughed at him. He was, in his weird way, very charming. As the dance ended he managed to coax her out and into a hotel room. It was a five star room, with a big bed and a very well tipped staff, to make sure no one interfered. He chewed a hot cinnamon mint furiously behind her back, and then slipped something else in. A few drops of a strange liquid on his tongue. He then kissed her furiously, shoving her back to the bed, stripping off clothing along the way. She giggled and complied, and her senses spiraled away.
An hour later she was blissfully unconscious, and Orochimaru strolled in. There was a distinct odor in the air. Shukaku was standing beside the bed, looking satisfied but unhappy.
"What's the matter? Did anything go wrong?"
"No, everything went perfectly."
"Then why the face?"
"It is wrong to do this, that a girl should be treated in such a way."
"That may be, but she is our only suspect, and the security of this country is dependent on the capture of the leader of my wayward sound ninja. This is why we went ahead with this plan without telling Gaara, we don't want to spoil his evening."
"He will find out eventually."
"Yes, but not tonight. We will deal with her tomorrow. We need to get her to a cell unobserved; this is why you drugged her."
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Gaara and Hinata had just arrived home, and were looking out over the village on Gaara's balcony.
"You are truly a beautiful angel, Hinata." He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. She rested against his chest, listening to his heart. He smiled at her softly; then tilted her chin up. Gazing into her eyes, he could see her love and devotion, and knew that she could see his. This is what made him bring his lips to hers, in a gentle, and her first, kiss.
Ha, they finally kissed after 29 chaps! This one is 8 full pages, by the way, so R&R!
