Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters! I also don't own the pictures used in any of my stories as covers! I doubt I will own any of these anytime soon so yea!

Ages:

Matsuri & Hanabi: 17

Rookie 9 & Gaara: 20

Kankuro: 22

Temari: 23

Itachi: 26

Chapter 1

"Why?"

"Why Yashamaru?"

"She never loved you, I never loved you. You have never been loved." Yashamaru whispered

"She called you Gaara, that you love only yourself, care only for yourself, and no one else."

~.~.~.~.~.~

Gaara shook his head as he looked out into the village, the moon in all its full glory. He couldn't help but wonder why, why that memory. He knew why, he knew that tomorrow his life would change, he was to marry the former heir of the Hyuuga clan. He knew that he would actually have to be married to someone and he couldn't help but let fear grip his heart. Would she love him? He knew it was foolish to wonder such things, he knew it was useless because even now, even after being Kazekage, he knew he couldn't be loved. He was no longer lonely, thanks to Naruto and his village but he was still feared. People praised him from afar, and only children ever came close to him because they weren't tainted yet.

"Gaara? You up here?" Temari questioned as she came out the window and saw him stare at the moon

"Will she love me?"

"What?"

"Will she be afraid of me?" he asked again

"You've changed Gaara, I doubt she'll fear you."

"Last time she saw me, she only knew me as the demon of the sand."

"But now, you're the Kazekage. From what I've heard about Hinata, and what I have seen, she won't fear you."

"But she can't love me, can she?"

"I can't say for sure, this is an arranged marriage after all. She probably had a lover back in Konoha."

Gaara said nothing as he listened to Temari. She was right, but he knew within himself that he didn't know how to love. He had never tried and had never been given the opportunity to do so. But he knew for sure, he protected what was precious to him. The Hyuuga may not have feelings for him, but as long as she abided in Suna, and if she did decide to go through with the marriage, he'd protect her with his life. For that, he thought as he looked at the moon, was his nindo, his ninja way. He would protect his precious people, however few.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"Hinata-sama, are you ready?"

"Hai, Neji-nii"

Hinata followed Neji through the village as they walked towards the gate. At the gate, Hinata looked back as tears began to form underneath her eyes.

"It's not too late," Neji said, waking Hinata from her current reverie

"Wh-what?"

"We can go back, this doesn't have to happen, Hinata-sama. There are other females in the Hyuuga clan."

"Neji, it's fine." a faint smile playing on her face as she started walking out of Konoha

"But,"

"It is my duty, as a Kunoichi of Konoha and a member of the Hyuuga clan, to do what is best for my village and my family. I know what I'm doing Neji, even if it means my unhappiness, as long as Hanabi isn't sealed, I'm content. She'd make a better heir anyway." her smile stretched across her features, eyes downcast she proceeded to walk out the gates.

Neji visage remained impassive as he looked at his cousin but his heart shone with pride. He knew she did this for Hanabi, and as quiet and sweet as she was, nothing could stop her from protecting Hanabi. And for that he respected her immensely. Sighing in abandon, he followed after, hoping they could get to Suna in a day and a half as they traveled by night.

~.~.~

"State your name and purpose."

"Neji and Hinata of the Hyuga clan. The Kazekage is expecting us."

The gates slid open before their eyes, and Hinata couldn't help but sigh at the monotonous look of the village. Neji kept walking though he sensed her agitation and sadness. There was nothing he could do now, they were already within the gates of Suna, and turning back now would be a cowardly move, though he was beginning to really consider it. He'd be a coward if it meant her safety and happiness. He'd do anything for her.

"Neji-nii…"

"Hinata-sama?" he looked her in the eyes, though it took her awhile to look back at him.

Her eyes surprised him, resolute and determined. She spoke "Thank you for coming a-along, I couldn't do this w-without you."

He nodded, letting the faintest of smiles grace upon his features. As they entered the Kazekage tower, Hinata couldn't help but observe the look of surprise on the inhabitants of Suna as they looked at them. She wasn't surprised, the Hyuuga eyes were always an enigma to those outside Konoha, especially civilians.

"Hyuuga, Hinata." wind swept their feet, introducing their blonde escort

"Temari-san. It's been awhile," Neji said as he looked her straight in the eye.

"Temari-chan, you look well," Hinata said as she smiled at the blonde beauty before her.

The last time they had met was during the spring in Konoha, and the blonde had not been prepared for the onslaught of pollens.

"What can I say? No pollen equals a happy Temari." hands folded over her chest, she turned on her heels. "Anyways, we've been expecting you. Let me show you to Gaara's office."

As the trio walked into the office, Hinata couldn't help but contemplate on the fact that in a few days this would be home. Her home had always consisted of color and life, Suna felt dead, monotonous, rigid, everything she was not used to.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"Get off,"

"But Gaara…"

"Get the hell off, Matsuri."

The intent to kill filled the room as Matsuri slowly pushed herself off the table. No matter how much she loved Gaara or tried to show her affection, he never accepted her love.

"You won't allow me to love you, but you're going to let in a complete stranger from Konoha?!" she mumbled, hurt and pain tracing her vocals.

"That's enough." a tired yet sharp tone escaped his lips as he proceeded with his paperwork. The day had been long and he hated snapping at his student yet he could no longer entertain her childish dreams and actions.

"You know I really love you Gaara…," she said looking dejected as she pushed her luck, sliding her hands nimbly around his, her face a whisper away as he breath tickled his lashes..

"And this here is Gaa-"

"In a very compromising position for someone willing to marry Hinata-sama." Neji said, a foot behind Temari. The level headed Hyuga's eyes turned dangerous and cold immediately.

At the sound of her name, Hinata looked up, right behind Neji and saw Gaara seated, nonchalant as Matsuri's body was too close for comfort.

"Matsuri." his voice rang with finality

"It would have be-been much app-preciated if you had made us aware of your affair, Ka-Kazekage-sama. I don't want to t-take you from the one you l-love. We will be on our wa-ay," Hinata said silently before rushing out of the office, unaware of her whereabouts yet unbothered. She wanted nothing but to be as far away from here as possible.

[Flashback]

"Where are you off to Hinata-sama?" Neji asked from the veranda as he watched his shy cousin walk with an unusual pep in her steps across the compound, a wicker basket in hand.

"Naruto asked me out for lunch today," Hinata blushed as she stared at the ground, left foot digging and shuffling on the pavement.

"Do you need me to escort you?" he asked, as he put his sandals on

"N-NO!" she sputtered, face red and coloring her entire being.

"I me-mean, it's a d-date," she had never hoped more for the ground to open up and take her

A tiny chuckle escaped Neji's lips, "Okay Hinata-sama. Be safe then."

She smiled, looking at her cousin's back as he walked out the compound towards the training ground. As she walked over to the park, her embarrassment began to subside and she began to be filled with excitement and nervousness. How fortunate she was that Naruto had finally asked her out. He had surprised her that night as he walked her home and she couldn't help but remember their kiss. His lips colliding with hers, unsure, aggressive and she had to take a break to fan her face and swat away her perverted thoughts. How unHyuga-like!

Feeling better composed, she walked towards the park they promised to meet at. Turning the corner she was met with a sight she hadn't expected to immediately shatter her glue her to her spot. Right before her eyes stood her date and his pink haired teammate, making out... She didn't know how long she stood frozen but she couldn't force herself to pull away.

"I love you Sakura,"

"What about Hinata?"

"No, it's always been you Sakura. I tried to return her feelings but I couldn't. She's kinda weird anyways," he chuckled as he brushed her locks aside.

"You really are beautiful, Sakura-chan." he whispered before closing the gap between them.

White pupiless eyes wavered as tears poured, picnic forgotten, she dropped the basket and ran. Not looking back despite her name being called.

[End of flashback]