One chapter left! I just have to tie all the loose ends.

I am so ready to write a new SasuHina story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Chapter Thirty Seven

Gaara lifted a hand and the sand beneath his feet followed. The golden sand flowed like water and it swirled around him before hovering in the air like a cloud. He was trying to fix a broken part of the gate because a desert storm had caused it to break yesterday.

He lifted a finger, and the sand clustered together to form a huge wall.

As he worked, Gaara was silently distracted. Hinata was with Temari back at the house but with Matsuri on the loose, he was still uneasy about letting his wife leave his sight. It has been a few days when they received the news about Matsuri's escape and he has been on the watch ever since.

But he has also his duty to the village. He cannot just disregard it for his own personal reasons.

After the wall fixing which lasted for almost four hours, he made his way back again towards the center of the village. He still has to see a few more things before he could return to the house. The Sand was busier than usual because the Annual Festival of Puppetry was coming and the market was buzzing with people. Decorations were hanging on windows and small flags which held the Suna's insignia could be seen everywhere.

As he walked—for he had dropped from his sand cloud before he reached the market—he was greeted by his locals with polite smiles and good afternoons. There were also a few congratulations about his coming baby and successful leadership.

But none mentioned anything about Matsuri—locals or Shinobi.

"Can I have a plate of dango?" He asked the old woman behind the counter of a small food booth. The old seller squinted at him, taking in his appearance behind her glasses. After a few seconds, her eyes widened in recognition and she bobbed her head up and down in respect.

"Anyting Kazekage-sama!" Gaara managed to nod and the old woman smiled at him. "Lord fifth… is this for Lady Hinata?"

"Yes. Please wrap it for me."

"Of course! Anything else?"

"A plate of sweetened bean bun would be good."

"It is! Let me get you some. Oh… and I am going to add a few fish balls for good luck."

After purchasing what he needed—or more specifically, what Hinata requested—Gaara made his way towards the house. He still has a few paper works to do but it could wait because Hinata's stomach could not. Since Hinata's second trimester, he was now a familiar face in the market. At first, people were bewildered, since he never busied himself with… shopping.

But marriage always changes the perspective of a man.

::

Matsuri blended herself into the shadows as she followed Gaara—her training under the Kazekage himself serving her good today. She was wearing a brown shirt and black pants with a large straw hat on her head. It was something a local would wear so she that she doesn't attract any Shinobi.

But still, she was very careful not to go near one.

Amused, she watched the most stoic man she had ever known, mingling with his village people, buying stuff like a normal…husband? It was a big surprise that Gaara was able to interact with people like the way he does now.

And when did he like to go shopping?

For one incredulous moment, Matsuri wondered if this was the Kazekage or just a look alike.

Matsuri sighed and bit her inner cheek. For a few months that she was in prison, she never knew that she would see huge changes on Gaara's personality. He was still impassive yes, always wearing a deadpan expression… but now, he looks more human.

He looks happy.

Was that Konohan special enough to change Gaara this much?

::

Hinata lightened up when she saw the food Gaara brought her. Even from a meter away, she could smell the sweet smelling dango and the stickiness of the bean buns. Giggling like a girl, she flung herself to her husband who caught her by the waist.

Temari rolled her eyes to the couple but it went unnoticed.

"You might squash the baby." Gaara told his wife as he gave her a warning look. Hinata just smiled at him as she padded across the kitchen to get a dish. As she plated the food, he settled beside his older sister who was looking at him calculatingly. "Temari."

"No news yet." The fan woman answered grimly. "She's good."

"Hm." Gaara knew what Temari meant. He settled his head back and closed his eyes, feeling the heat oozing out of his sockets. Sometimes, the sun's heat was just too much even for a person who grew up in a desert. When he opened his eyes, Hinata was standing in front of him—bulging stomach and all—and was holding something on her hands.

It was a wet towel.

"You're a little red." She told him, placing the cool cloth on his forehead. "Must be the heat."

"Hn."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine." He took her hand and pulled her down. Hinata smiled and settled on his lap. She was getting heavier as the weeks passed by but he was smart enough not to mention it. He had noticed that Hinata was a little concern with her weight and saying it out loud would just irritate her.

She was a bag of emotions lately.

Hinata let her fingers run on Gaara's red hair. She loves his hair and she was hoping that their baby might be able to have locks like him. It surely will be really cute. "Gaara…" Her thumb traced the kanji etched on his skin.

"What is it?" Gaara asked at the same time that Temari stood up from the sofa with a sour look on her face. The fan woman remembered something more worthy to do than stay and listen to her brother and his pregnant wife act all lovey dovey on each other. Gaara may look mostly stoic, but he was still a man in love.

He was corny in his own way.

Hinata leaned until her lips almost touched Gaara's right ear. "Cold as the night… Bright as the day…" She whispered, reciting the poem that caught her attention while she was reading a book written by Jaraiya of the Three Legendary Sannins. Some may not know it but not all books written by the old toad sage were perverted. There were a few that are really good and full of daily life lessons. "…but whatever you are my love, you will always be…oh always be, my one true love."

Gaara stared at her impassively. "Poem."

"Yes."

"It's good."

"It's beautiful."

Gaara said nothing but his hands found hers. "I don't know any poem." He said with a slight tinge of disappointment. If Hinata just recited a poem of love, it was poor of him not to recall any. He likes to read, but he never gave much attention to poems. "I don't know any poems to say."

Hinata shook her head. "You don't need to. I just remembered it so I wanted to let you hear."

"It's about love."

Hinata bit her lip and slowly looked away. "Yeah… that's the point. I… wanted you to hear it because…ah…"

"I love you too."

"O-oh…" Hinata's gaze returned to her husband's face with a snap. Sure Gaara's actions screamed love… but he was never the one to vocalize. When she caught his eyes, she looked at them calculatingly. "I… hope that doesn't change." She murmured.

"It won't."

-o-o-o-

Sasuke frowned at the Lady Hokage who was smirking at him in return. The old sannin—even though she doesn't looked old—was giving him another mission to Suna. It was really annoying because he had voiced out a lot of times that he doesn't want to go to a desert as long as there are still other Shinobi who can handle it. He was the captain of the Anbu for Kami's sake and he got a lot of work cut out for him inside village walls.

"If I remember correctly, you have been dying to go to Suna almost a year back." Tsunade said stiffly. It was a sign that she was losing her temper arguing with her best Shinobi.

"It's a bet."

"Well, this is now a mission."

"You can have others go in my stead. I'm busy."

Tsunade closed her eyes and sighed. Sure she had been giving Sasuke a lot of work lately, now that the Jounin exams are coming and a lot of preparations are being done, but he was her first choice. "Uchiha. I have someone to go with you so you are not taking this mission alone. Besides, you know the ins and outs of Suna well. It's convenient if you take the job."

Sasuke's face turned grim.

"You just have to bring the documents to Suna and then go back. You are the fastest Shinobi in my village."

"Kiba is faster."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Kiba has an academy to teach." Shifting her weight on the chair, she let a hand brush over the documents on her desk. "Besides… I think you are going to like the company that's going with you. Heard she's popular with males because well, she's not just skill…she's a beauty. She's also in your batch."

Sasuke frowned. "You are going to partner me with Yamanaka Ino?"

"Well... that's interesting." A smiled appeared on Tsunade's face. "I haven't said any name."

Sasuke shrugged. "It's not that hard to guess. Females in every batch were always outnumbered by males two to one. Hinata is out of the question while Tenten beats the crap out of very man who flirts with her."

Tsunade's smile turned wider.

Sasuke smirked. "I'm not getting out of this am I?"

Sasuke left the office of the Hokage feeling worse than the day that Naruto brought him a bowl of ramen only to drop it accidentally on his clean apartment floor. Tsunade was a persistent hag and even though he hates to admit, she could always have her way with him one way or another.

She was the Hokage.

Sasuke found himself grimacing at the fact that someday, Naruto will be taking over the Hokageship. He could just imagine the joy on the blonde idiot's face while ordering ridiculous things. Naruto may have a heart of gold, but sometimes, he was just the stupidest creature Sasuke ever has the misfortune to know.

"Hey. You look distracted."

Sasuke stopped walking and pocketed his hands. He was about to turn the other way when he came face to face with his newly assigned partner. He just doesn't know if she was aware of their new mission. "You look excited."

"New mission." Ino smiled. "Damn… and I heard that it's going to be out of the village this time."

"Suna." He deadpanned.

Ino frowned and stopped in front of Sasuke. The Uchiha was looking grimmer than usual—if that was even possible—and he was looking at her rather oddly. "Suna? How did you know?"

"Because we are going together."

Ino's frown turned into shock. Taking a step back, she scanned Sasuke's face and was actually waiting for him to say that he was kidding. Sure Sasuke was not the one to joke but come on… a mission to Suna with Uchiha Sasuke?

But one glance at Sasuke's black eyes tell her otherwise.

"Oh boy…"

"We are going to leave by sunset Yamanaka. Lets' meet at the gates." Sasuke started walking again.

Ino crossed her arms. "Hey…who put you in charge?"

"I am always in charge."

-o-o-o-

Hinata pulled the blanket up to her chin. Nights in Sunagakure were normally cold but tonight, the temperature was a few degrees lower. Rubbing her palms together, she looked at her husband who was fixing a broken strap on his gourd. He was sitting at the foot of their bed, his back to her.

"Aren't you cold?" She asked.

Gaara turned to face her. "I'm fine. Are you cold?"

"A little."

Gaara stood up. "I'll get you a thicker blanket." He placed the leather straps on the floor and walked towards the drawer where they kept the mattresses and other "bed" stuffs. He pulled one blanket after inspecting if it was thick enough and then returned to the side of the bed. Hinata's lips were a little blue and he touched it with his thumb.

"Thank you." Hinata muttered as Gaara placed the blanket on top of her. He just looked at her in return and patted her right cheek. "C-can you sit beside me for a moment please?" She asked. She saw Gaara glanced at his gourd that still needed fixing but said nothing and followed her request.

Hinata bit her lip. She was feeling uneasy but she doesn't know why. She wanted to tell Gaara what she felt but was afraid that it was all the product of hormones. She knew that she was not being herself sometimes and doesn't want to bother her already busy husband.

"Something wrong?" Gaara asked.

Hinata decided to say nothing but instead pulled the Kazekage close and locked him in a hug. She doesn't know what's wrong so she was not saying anything. Gaara felt stiff inside her arms—and she knew that he was stunned—so she tightened the embrace more.

"I'm glad…" She murmured. "No…I'm happy."

"Hn."

"That you are my husband."

"You are going to squash the baby." Gaara replied stoically but his hands rose to touch her back. He let his fingers ran up and down her spin comfortingly. "Something is bothering you."

"Bothering me?"

"Yes." Gaara looked at his wife squarely in the face. She may not say it but her eyes revealed it all. He had noticed that every time Hinata was worried about something, her eyes turn big and like she was about frown. "Can you tell me why?"

"Ah… it's just hormones. I think."

"We have been blaming the hormones for everything lately."

Hinata giggled. "You're right…and I think it's for the best."

The conversation flowed smoothly then, and Gaara didn't left Hinata's side until she was sound asleep, buried deep within the warmth of the blankets. When he was sure that he wouldn't wake her, he slowly removed his arm around her shoulder and straightened up.

Gaara flicked his wrist up and a fistful of sand flew from the gourd. Another flick and it compressed its thousand tiny particles into a solid ball, forming some kind of brown eyeball. The "eye" hovered on top of the sleeping woman like it was some kind of a tiny unearthly sentry.

Giving his wife a glance, Gaara left the room and proceeded to the top floor of the house. The top floor was Kankuro's territory, for all his puppets were stored in the area and it was respected by all inhabitants of the house.

But there was a terrace and it was open to anyone.

When he reached said terrace, Gaara leaned his back on a strong metal railing. "How long do you intend to follow me Matsuri?"

Out of the shadows, a cloaked woman covering her face with a hood appeared. "Gaara-sama."

"You know I can feel you… even if others couldn't."

Matsuri removed the cover from her head. "But you did not do anything."

Gaara faced his closest apprentice. Matsuri was like a sister to him and he felt bad—even if a lot suspected that he doesn't—that the woman came to be like this. "Because I want you to see that I am happy with my life. Don't you want me to be happy Matsuri?"

Matsuri looked away. "I do want you to be happy Gaara-sama. I have dedicated my life in service for you. I pledged my life for—"

"Then please let me be."

"—But I want you to be happy with me." Matsuri said with obvious pain. Her voice was calm but it has a razor edged into it. "I have always been by your side Gaara-sama… why can't you see me the way you see Lady Hinata? Am I that… plain?"

"No."

"Then why—"

"Because it just came to be like that. There are things that can never be explained."

Matsuri closed her eyes. She was an idiot for pursuing something that never belonged to her in the first place but that was what her mind and heart tells her. She has given up her career and honor for a man that loves another. "You never even visited me… it was only your wife—asking me every day to say sorry so that I could be forgiven."

"But you didn't."

"Why would I? I am already a criminal…" Matsuri wanted to be sarcastic; she wanted to shout her anger at Gaara's face but just one look from his eyes, all she could do was to say the words out softly. Even if they were both angry at each other, she could just…feel weak.

She was still in love with him.

It was so unfair.

Suddenly, Matsuri found herself crying. "What I did was terrible. I know… but I just did it because I want you to at least notice me Gaara-sama…" she gritted her teeth. "I know I am a terrible kunoichi… but that was what my heart tells me to do."

"But what you did caused me great pain…not only because of what happened to Hinata, but your betrayal. That Matsuri, hurt more than anything else."

Even though her eyes were brimming with tears, Matsuri laughed. "Is that really you Kazekaga-sama? I never knew you can talk that much. Hinata-sama sure changed you a lot."

"What do you intend to do?" Gaara asked.

"I don't know." Matsuri admitted. She had been following him for days and all she could see was the contentment and happiness that Gaara have in his life right now. She was so jealous of it all. A part of her wanted to be happy for him, really… but a bigger part was just in pain. "What are you going to do Gaara-sama?"

"It depends on your decision Matsuri."

"If I ask that you bring me to the laboratory… the medic's lab where I used to work, would you allow me?"

"For what purpose?"

"I want to forget."

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chap! Any suggestion for the last chapter?

-crazychan12