Hello all!
Holy Crackers I'm now 41 chapters into this story, it's the longest piece of writing I've ever done.
I have no idea when it will end so I'll just have to keep going to see what happens.
In the meantime please read and review.
Now onwards my dears!
The first things she saw were faint dizzy colors as she slowly opened her eyes.
Blinking a couple of times Hinata scanned the room she was in. When did she get in her bedroom? And why was she lying down? She couldn't remember feeling tired, sitting up a bit she noticed her husband leaning against the wall with his arms crossed looking deep in thought since his eyes were closed.
"Gaara-dana?"
His head perked up at the sound of her voice and almost instantly he was hovering over her. He placed his hand on her forehead trying to find something wrong with her. Perhaps she had a fever?
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine...did something happen?"
"Hinata can you remember what happened before you fainted?"
"Is that what happened, I don't recall-wait! I remember Kankuro-san he told us that my father was behind all of this".
Gaara let out a surprised grunt as his wife tackled him to the bed, burring her face in his chest her body started to shake a bit.
"Gaara-dana what will I do?! I don't know if I can handle my father's wrath again. If what Kankuro said is really true then Hanabi is in more danger now than ever what if-".
"Hinata slow down".
He began to rub circles in her back. "Gaara-dana, Hanabi is in serious danger, I must protect her from father, but I can't do it by myself I don't have the strength or the time to do so".
The red head gave a small sigh as he continued to rub her back "I understand, but are you not concerned for your own welfare?"
He cupped her cheek "Hinata, your carrying our child within you. Does this not concern you at all?"
Gently he rubbed his thumb over her smooth skin "Shouldn't you worry about the life we created growing inside you. Don't you want what's best for our future son or daughter?"
Gaara let that sink in for a moment, hoping that she understood the situation a bit more. When the realization hit her, Hinata felt tears slowly run down her face. There was no way she could do anything at this moment, not when she was only a couple of weeks along. If she got stressed now there would be no doubt her unborn child would surly perish. But at the same time, Hanabi needed her protecting, it was a repeat from the past all over again. It wasn't fair, what did she ever do to deserve this. Was it too much to ask that she just live out her life as a normal person would, not having to worry about potential life or death situations. The tears gradually speed up and before she knew it she was bawling. Hinata burrowed deeper into her husband as she continued to cry.
"I'll lose the baby, but if I don't do something Hanabi will-this is all my fault!".
Gaara tried to shush her but his words weren't really doing anything. He needed to get her to calm down, it was making him panic how she kept talking that that their unborn child wouldn't survive. Gently he got a firm grip on her chin and tilted her head up so that he could look into her soaked lavender eyes.
"Hinata, look at me. I want you to listen carefully. You will not lose our child. Nor will Hanabi lose her life. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that you are safe. I give you my word that I will protect you and your sister. Do not think for a minute I am just going to sit back and let someone take away the people I love".
The bluenette could only nod dumbly. But that still didn't stop the tears from pouring. Sensing this, Gaara wrapped his arms tightly around his sobbing wife and just held her as she cried her misery, he knew that he didn't need to say anything more. Hinata understood everything, but now it was best to let her have her tears. After all a good cry could be very comforting sometimes. So that's how they stayed for hours, Gaara holding his beloved while she cried into his chest. After a while her sobs turned into small hiccups and soon after she had fallen asleep. The red head looked down at his now sleeping wife. Her face was soaked in tears and her eyes were red and slightly puffy, but at least she had stopped.
He planted soft kisses on her forehead, it pained in to see her with the stress. She didn't deserve any of it. But the only option now was to wait and see what time had in store for them.
Carefully he laid her down on the bed; brushing some of her hair out of her face. He was still wrapping his head around the current situation also. It was happening much too fast, one moment he was happy knowing that Hinata was welcoming a baby into the family, and now he needed to take action to prevent a disaster from happening once more.
He gently placed his hand over her stomach, his second child was steadily growing inside of her. He knew that Hinata would be completely devastated if she aborted the baby. Gaara bit his lower lip in thought, he would protect her, he would protect Hanabi; he would protect his family no matter the cost. He couldn't lose any of them, the pain would be too much for him to handle.
Sighing, Gaara pushed a small strand of hair behind Hinata's ear before lifting himself up and walking out of his bedroom closing the door behind him. He was right about to head for his office when he met Kankuro in the hall. Concern etched all over his face. Not a good sign.
"Gaara I was just coming to get you. I'll assume you know I want to talk".
The red head let out an irritated huff "Yes, go figure I wanted to see you too. I've made my decision I'm going to Konoha to put a stop to this once and for all".
His older brother raised an eyebrow "Why pray tell would you do that? You heard Shikamaru he said he'll go".
"No, that is not the point. I want to stop this matter all at once, not just one problem at a time".
Kankuro ran a hand through his hair "Gaara, I don't know what you're thinking, but at the very least consider the alternative. Shikamaru is willing to travel to Konoha and try and make peace. He's the best option we have right now".
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Gaara took several deep breaths. He was clearly annoyed and Kankuro could easily tell by this. But this really was necessary, Kankuro had his reasons.
As Gaara began walking to his office, Kankuro was right on his heels. "Come on Gaara, I'm trying to be reasonable here can't you do the same".
"I am being reasonable".
"You can drop the shitty attitude".
"I could say the same for you. I told you I am being reasonable".
"No you're being stubborn".
"Well you're being obnoxious".
"Gaara! Listen to what I'm telling you".
"Leave it alone Kankuro! I don't need this right now".
The puppet master gritted his teeth in annoyance. Sometimes his little brother could be a real pain in his ass. He was certainly being one right now.
"Would it kill you not to be so rude!"
Gaara turned around quickly with a warning in his eyes.
"That depends on the eye of the beholder, brother. I will not repeat myself".
Kankuro gave a low growl, "I'm trying to help you damn it! You can't just leave your village unattended. You just got finished tying all the loose ends, think of what will happen should you disappear so suddenly". Kankuro clenched his fists trying to control his growing anger. It was taking all he had in him not to lash out at his younger brother.
Gaara let out a growl of his own. "Do not test me Kankuro. I'm in no mood for games. Like it or not I promised Hinata I would do something about this and if that means going to Konoha and confronting Hiashi about this once and for all then so be it".
"That's exactly why you can't go!"
"What are you saying?! That I should sit back and do nothing!".
Kankuro reached out and grasped his brother's shoulder tightly "By Kami Gaara, use your head! Think what would happen to your wife, she's just become pregnant with your baby and all of a sudden you want to leave her when she's an emotional wreck. Damn it man, you love this woman and she loves you. If you go now Hinata will break, she'll have no one to support her and what will happen to your kid. It will die!".
Gaara opened his mouth to say something, but then realization hit him. What his older brother has said was true. As of now Hinata needed him now more than ever. He was her only source of stability. Should he leave now, he'd be walking out on her. No question that Hinata would suffer in more ways than one; she didn't have the energy to keep doing this. Perhaps it was best that he didn't go after all. That wouldn't be the right thing to do for the moment.
"Kankuro...you are right I'm sorry".
His older brother rolled his eyes, trust Gaara not to think this one through especially concerning his own wife.
"Whatever, but please don't act so quickly in the future. That's what brains were invented for".
Deciding to ignore that last part Gaara spoke "When will Shikamaru be leaving?"
"I think he said in about a week".
"What will he do?"
"Don't know wouldn't say".
Gaara thought for a moment. If Shikamaru was going to Konoha he would have to speak to him before he left. He didn't really want Naruto to get involved but someone needed to keep an eye on Hiashi and Gaara knew that Naruto was the best man for the job. He could trust his closest friend with this. But that still wouldn't solve the problem for good. Inevitability at some point he would have to confront Hiashi, the bastard was lucky that this time it was his brother-in-law and not him that was going. Gaara would definitely make sure that Hiashi got a good long talk.
"I think I'll go and check on Hinata".
"Hmm at least one of us still cares for her well-being". It was a few seconds later that Kankuro found himself spitting up a mouthful of sand swearing profoundly as his younger brother simply walked by.
"Fuck! Gaara I'll get you back for that!".
The red head was almost back to his bedroom when Temari pulled him over. In one arm she was holding a squirming Shikadai and in the other a sleeping Hena. Carefully taking Hena into his arms, so not to wake her Gaara could tell that Temari was troubled about something.
"Gaara are you sure sending Shikamaru to Konoha is a good idea?"
"Kankuro has talked with me about it. I think for now it's the best choice we have".
"But will it really be enough?"
"...that I don't know". It was true he didn't know. But he didn't have time to worry about that now. One way or another someone needed to go to Konoha. Or else things would get much worse.
"I don't want him to go".
"Temari I am aware of that, but someone has to".
"That lazy bum is still my husband. as smart as he is, there is still a chance he could get hurt".
Gaara resisted the urge to sigh; he knew what his sister was trying to do. As much as he sympathized there was not really much he could do. Shikamaru had volunteered from his own free will. If he was that determined to go then he must've had something in mind. Why else would he take the task upon himself if something like this was too troublesome for the likes of him.
"Temari I cannot go...you know that Hinata needs me".
She scowled a little. His older sister was no fool, she understood everything. But that still didn't make her feel any better. Not by a long shot.
"I know this is not an easy thing, and believe me I wish that I was in his place. But I can't leave Hinata, not in the state that she's in. It would be too much for her".
The blonde made a weird sound at the back of her throat as she mumbled to herself. It wasn't that Temari didn't care for Hinata, she loved that woman like a sister. But she didn't like the idea of Shikamaru going to Konoha on such short notice. Shikadai needed his father and Temari of course needed him. But her brothers were probably on to something. Shikamaru was the best man for this predicament as of right now. He could easily talk to Naruto and try to get dirt on said situation. All he needed was a little time.
"I'm kicking his ass next time I see him". Temari gave a somewhat intimidating gaze to Gaara "And I expect you to do the right thing when needed. You better see to it that my husband will return safely or else he's not the only one that's getting his sorry ass kicked". With her threat made Temari walked past Gaara to tend to her son.
He stood where he was for a few minutes in thought as he held his sleeping daughter. He knew that his sister was good at keeping her promises. But in truth he would keep in touch with Shikamaru while he was Konoha, he needed information anyway.
"I will protect my family. I swear by it". He said mostly to himself, Gaara's thoughts turned to Hena who shifted a bit in her sleep and he exhaled through his nose. As he walked to his daughter's nursery Gaara couldn't help but wonder when the whole nightmare would end.
Yes, I'm aware this chapter is slightly shorter than usual.
I'll try and make it longer next time. I'm currently free for moment so that means I'll be able to update a lot faster hopefully.
Next chapter should be up and running in a few days. I'm still open to suggestions if anyone has any ideas. I'm always trying to make this story better.
Please leave me some reviews!
Until next time!
