Hello everyone! Time for chapter three.
Thank you for waiting I've had a lot going on lately.
All copyright belongs to Kishimoto sensei
Don't forget to review, now onwards my dears onwards!
Chapter 3:
She had only been married yesterday and now she was expected to go to Suna with her new husband. But the problem was that Hinata had no desire to leave just yet. It was bad enough that she was forced to marry so quickly and now she had to say goodbye to everything she had known. Konoha was her home, everything she knew was in the village. Her family, her friends...her life.
It wasn't fair, why did she have to suffer from it all.
"Hinata-sama?"
"Neji-niisan?"
"Why did you let this happen? I truly thought that you were better than this". While his tone was soft, his face was anything but. Hinata knew her cousin all too well. He was angry and was doing his best not to lash out at her. She sighed "Niisan I know that you are angry. But please don't be. Gaara-sama is very kind to me". "You barely even know him. For all we know he could still be a monster!".
Hinata was shocked by Neji's words "Neji-niisan please don't say that". "He could abuse you Hinata! He could hurt you in so many ways and I won't be there to protect you. What do you think will happen when he lures you into his lair?! He beat you Hinata-sama! He rape you until your battered and bloody!".
"Neji-niisan you stop right there!" He was surprised by Hinata's voice, she almost never raised her voice. Her eyes were narrowed in disapproval and for the first time in her life she glared at her cousin.
"Don't you dare say one more word about Gaara-sama! You hardly know him just as much as I do. I am fully aware that he didn't have the happiest memories in his past. But he's changed Niisan, he's changed in so many ways I can see it in his eyes. It's true that I may not understand him entirely yet. But he is still my husband I will defend him no matter what!".
Neji was at a complete lost for what to do. He had never heard his cousin speak with so much disapproval. He didn't know exactly what was going through her head; but whatever it was he didn't like it at all. Why was she defending him? Could he have taking a hold on her already? What had happened?
"Hinata-sama I-"
"Please Neji-niisan he is my husband and while you may not be able to trust him yet. I do, and believe me when I say that he is a good person. Why else would Naruto-kun be so close to him".
The Hyuga looked down trying to sort out the thoughts within his head. Hinata knew that while Neji wasn't exactly close with Naruto. He still looked up to him as a friend. He respected him and his decisions and while Naruto at times was a total numbskull he was still wise in his own way and Neji could never do anything to hurt Naruto or anything of his friends.
It was some time later that he looked back at Hinata this time was a softer look on his face. "You know that you will be missed". Hinata nodded "Yes I know". "Hanabi is going to be devastated when we tell her. She'll probably hate you for everything". Hinata bit her lower lip "Please let me be the one to tell her. I'd rather she heard it from me then someone else. If she chooses to hate me then it's her choice. But I will always love her". Hinata placed her hand on Neji's cheek "And I will always love you Niisan no matter what". What he did next shocked Hinata to no end. Tears started to run down his face as his pulled her into a hug. In all their years of living together he had never once shown any physical contact for affection.
It was strange, it was new, it was...comforting.
Hinata was a bit surprised at herself when she hugged him back. The Hyuga did not normally express their feeling through physical actions, they preferred to do it through words. So it was quiet a nice change from what she was so used to.
"I will come back". "I know you will...I'll be here waiting".
Hanabi really wanted to strangle her father. She had been informed from her older sister that she was to leave in two days and it was really taking all she had in her not to snap her father's neck in half. The last thing she had in her life that she loved dearly was being taken away from her. Why must life always be this way? What had she ever done to deserve this.
"Hanabi?" "I don't want to look at you right now!" "Hanabi please, I know that this is hard but I promise things will be better". "How!? Your leaving me! You're leaving me in the care of the devil!" She screamed, tears then formed in her eyes and she buried her face in her sister's jacket. "I love you Hinata, please don't do this to me". Hinata honestly didn't know what to say, so she held her younger sister for a long time letting her cry. "What will happen to you?" Hinata stroked her hair "I'll be alright, Gaara-sama will protect me". Hanabi wiped her swollen eyes "Do you love him?" Hinata didn't respond right away "I don't know...but in time I'm sure I will". "Father will expect you to produce children are you prepared for that?" The shy Hyuga looked away trying to hide her blush. As the wife of the Kazekage, she was going to be expected to have children with him for the sake of their villages. While it was a burden she couldn't avoid, she figured that she had plenty of time to cross that bridge.
"Hanabi I am not going to leave you forever. I'm sure my husband will allow me to come back and visit whenever". Her sister didn't look all that convinced so she tried again "Your welcome to come and visit me anytime as well, we're sisters and nothing can keep up apart".
It had taken a long time for Hinata and Hanabi to get as close as they are now. In their younger years Hiashi practically forced them to compete for the title of heir. It had not been a good experience but eventually they were able to mend their bond and truly become close.
Hinata kissed her sister's forehead "Do not worry Neechan I will come back for you, I promise I will".
Two days went by faster then she ever thought possible and soon the Kazekage's wife was standing at the village gates next to her husband and siblings with all her friends wishing her the best. Kiba and Shino had reacted quite violently when they learned that their dear friend was married so unexpectedly and then suddenly moving away. The change had been disturbing and while Shino was not happy with the arrangements he didn't lash out as violently as Kiba did. He had grabbed Gaara by his shirt and threatened to tear off his balls with a cheese grader if he ever hurt Hinata. Eventually he had to be restrained by Neji before he did something stupid.
The blue-haired Hyuga had promised to write to her friends at least once every two weeks; she was doing a good job at hiding the sadness in her voice. All she wanted was break down in a corner, but she knew that she couldn't show weakness.
Her lavender eyes drifted to Naruto one last time. He was smiling at her with his arm around Sakura. For a brief second she, felt a twinge of jealously for the pink-haired woman. But quickly shoved it down; as long as Naruto was happy then that was all that mattered. She needed to move on it was for the best.
"Let's go". Gaara felt rather bad that he was taking his new wife away so suddenly from everything that she had known. But she had a new life now, she was with him and he needed to show her that she had nothing to fear.
It would take three days to get to Suna, and he wanted to try and get to know his wife. He already knew that she was shy but other than that if he was going to spend the rest of his life with her then he might as well try and branch out.
"May I hold your hand?"
Hinata was caught off guard by his question. "Um...yes". He gently took her dainty hand with his strong one, admiring the smoothness of her skin. It was the softest thing he had ever felt. His teal eyes quickly looked over to his brother and sister who were snickering behind him and he gave them a look. The last thing he wanted was to make his wife uncomfortable.
For a long time neither of them said anything as the continued to hold hands, until Hinata decided to break the ice. "Suna? What's it's like?" Gaara looked over at her "My village is very different from yours. But I'm sure that you will learn to love it in time. We are located in a desert, which means that what you would normally see in Konoha you will not find in Suna. For example, all our shops and other major stores are located inside while yours all are outside and there is the issue of heat". Gaara rubbed his thumb over her hand "You will get used to the heat and I assure you we do not do anything differently than from you would do in Konoha".
The bluenette couldn't help but giggle silently, she found his honestly to be really touching. Gaara certainly was different from what she imagined him to be.
They spent the three day journey slowly getting to know each other. Gaara found the experience to be very pleasant, he had never been able to talk to anyone so casually besides his siblings. It was a pleasant change from what he was used to. Of course Temari and Kankuro also wanted to get to know their new sister-in-law and had ended up asking her many questions most of them very embarrassing. Despite the awkwardness Hinata was finding that she liked Gaara's brother and sister a lot. They were energetic and very easy to get along with. She was happy that his siblings were fond of her.
When the village finally came into view Hianta almost didn't see it. Instead of gates, there were two large stone walls on either side with shinobi guarding it. Their faces went from serious to joyful when they saw Gaara and saluted him.
Hinata was rather amused by the greeting that her husband received as they made their way through the village. She looked around taking in all the sights. The buildings where tall and domed shaped, and it looked like they were built with materials from the landscape she was impressed Suna was very different, but it was also beautiful in its own way and she appreciated that.
Her new family lead to a very tall tower that stood in the center of the village. It was the Kazekage's tower, it was her new home. As Gaara lead her through the halls she took notice of the change in colors. The walls were red, brown and gold. So different from what she grew up with. Still pretty though and the painting were very nice.
The three siblings then gave her a tour of the tower, she would have to become familiar with it since she was going to be living here. It was quite large and it looked easy to get lost in. But she'd learn her way around eventually.
When Gaara lead her to his office she was met with a stranger. "Gaara-sama welcome back! I hope that you had safe travels". Hinata was very surprised when a young woman stared at her husband with a smile, her eyes seemed to be sparking with affection, she had seem many fan girls admiring her husband on the way over which left her confused but she didn't question anything. But this was just weird. Gaara nodded at her "Matsuri this is Hinata Hyuga she is my wife".
Hinata was very good at reading people and she could tell that the moment Gaara said she was his wife. Matsuri's eyes suddenly turned very dark with hate. Hinata blinked in confusion she thought she had mistaken something for a second, she looked again and saw the same thing as before. "It is an honor to meet you Hinata-sama". Matsuri's voice was bittersweet nearly making Hinata flinch "I am honored as well Matsuri-san". "I had left for Konoha to look for a wife and I chose Hinata we hope to be very happy together".
Gaara was fully aware that Matsuri didn't like the arrangements with Hinata as his spouse. But he was rather happy that perhaps with Hinata's presence Matsuri would finally leave him alone for a change.
"It is very nice to meet you Hinata-sama but you must excuse me I have things to attend too". Matsuri then left in a huff. With her out of the room Kankuro started to laugh "Damn Gaara, she's pissed". "Yeah I don't think Matsuri was prepared for this".
Hinata looked confused, Gaara noticed this "Matsuri is my apprentice and she has feelings for me". The bluenette's mouth fell open in shock that explained why she was glaring at her with so much hate. "I assure you that there is nothing between us. We sometimes have to work closely but do not be worried I have never returned her feelings". She nodded dumbly, ok well at least she was assured that her husband didn't like that woman.
"Temari, Kankuro if you please. I'd like to have a moment alone with my wife". His siblings nodded and Temari gave him a wink before leaving making him shake his head slightly. His attention then turned back to Hinata. "Why don't you take a seat?" he gestured to the sofa in the far corner of his office and Hinata nervously sat down. He then sat down next to her.
"Since you are now my wife, there will be a few changes that I must tell you of". She nodded waiting for him to continue.
"You will be taught how to arrange events that regularly take place in Suna and since you are now a noble woman, you will be receiving visitors where you must demonstrate your status". She nodded again; it all sounded very similar to what she had to do back in Konoha nothing she didn't already know.
Gaara stayed quiet for a moment before speaking again. "We will also be expected to have children". Just as he thought Hinata blushed deeply and looked away, he knew the process required for having babies but that was a pretty big step he wasn't ready to take.
The first night they were married, they ended up sleeping in separate rooms. Hinata was clearly not ready for that yet and to be honest neither was he. Gaara would admit that his wife was indeed very beautiful and he did desire her in ways he never thought possible, but he didn't want to pressure her into anything that she didn't want and he would respect her decisions. "We do not have to do it now. We have plenty of time to decide when but that is something we must not ignore in the future". Hinata nodded shyly he was right, they had years ahead of them to produce children. But it still felt very scary to know that at some point she would have to bed him.
Gaara couldn't stop himself from lifting his hand, to brush away a strand of her hair and gently cup her face. "I will do my best to make you happy Hinata-san. I give you my word that I will keep you safe and feel loved". Her face darkened some more "T-thank you Gaara-sama I really appreciate that".
The red-head stared into those lavender eyes for some time. He had never felt an attraction to a woman before Hinata, and while he had no experience with the opposite sex, he could learn from his wife. He licked his lips before asking her something that nearly made her faint.
"Can I kiss you?"
Hinata didn't know why she was so shocked when Gaara asked if he could kiss her. He was her husband he should be able to kiss her whenever he wanted too. Yet she was still so shocked; the night she kissed him still make her feel embarrassed. She slowly nodded and he leaned forward slowly to ever so gently capture her lips in a tender kiss. Hinata was surprised at herself when she started to kiss him back; but she couldn't help it, it was just so easy to get lost in the sensation of his lips. After a few heated moments Gaara pulled back and smiled at her "I'm glad that I choose you for my wife".
Hinata found herself smiling also "I think I'm going to like living here". Both of them stared at each other for a long time "Can I kiss you again". And she nodded as he leaned in. Perhaps this arranged marriage wasn't so bad after all.
That's the end of this chapter.
I will have the next one updated in a few weeks. Work load is starting to pile up and I need to stay on top of it, but do not fear the next chapter will come as soon as possible.
Reviews are always good!
Until we meet again my friends!
