Hi guys.
Back with more good stuff.
I'm so sorry that you all waited for so long. But I had a million things to do, and then I was traveling for a few weeks and didn't want to worry about anything. So thank you for putting up with me. As promised here's the newest chapter.
Still not sure where I'm taking this story as of now, but I'll figure it out eventually. A good story must never be rushed after all.
So as usual read and review.
Now onwards my dears!
"Why would I need to go to Konoha?"
Kankuro ran his hand through his hair, "Don't ask me for the answers. I'm just telling you what Shikamaru said".
Gaara raised an invisible eyebrow "Are you sure you're telling me everything?" already this sounded much too suspicious. Definitely not liking where this was going so far. Just what was Hiashi planning?
"I'm being serious. All Shikamaru wrote in his latest report was that Hiashi has requested that you come to Konoha he wants to talk to you or something".
Talk to him? He couldn't stand being in the same room as him. Their last encounter had ended badly; Hinata had ended up in the hospital because of it. Why the hell would he go to Konoha to try and talk with an unreasonable man. It simply didn't make any sense. No, something else was going on here. Why else would Shikamaru suddenly report a message like this?
Gaara pondered on this for a few minutes. An unhealthy silence filling the room as he tried to come to a decision. Kankuro waited patiently for his younger brother to make up his mind. He knew that Gaara hated Hiashi for his treatment towards Hinata but at the same time if this was important then he would need to act soon. They couldn't keep this up any longer. Kankuro had, had enough of seeing his brother and sister-in-law caught in what seemed like an endless cycle of madness. It wasn't worth any effort to deal with this lost cause.
"Kankuro you know I can't leave Hinata".
"Look man, I get that. But I don't know what to tell you. Either you go and see what will happen, or you can stall for time and potentially make things worse".
The red head knew that his older brother was trying to persuade him, but sometimes he wished that Kankuro would back off once in a while.
"My wife needs me here. I won't leave her".
"Then how will you talk with Hiashi?"
"Get him to come here".
"What?"
"You heard me, tell Shikamaru that I demand that Hiashi come here instead".
Gaara knew that it was a stupid idea, but honestly what else could he do at this point? He was fully aware that if Hiashi came to Suna he'd be putting Hinata and Hanabi in serious danger, he knew for certain that disaster would happen. But if he did go to Konoha, what would become of Hinata? Gaara didn't want to think about that. He couldn't bear the thought of the one person who's ever truly loved him suddenly gone. It was too much to handle for him.
He heard his older brother growl in frustration. "Gaara I'm not going to argue with you about this. As your brother I'm begging you to please do something to put a stop to all of this".
"Damn it Kankuro I know already! I know that I have to protect my wife, but for God's sake give me a break will you. I don't need you nagging me to do my job as a husband!".
Kankuro was about to say something when Gaara held up his hand. "Please don't say anything more. At the very least let me talk to Hinata about this. I want her to understand what's going on".
"Gaara you-"
"Kankuro let me speak to my wife".
The tone in his voice left no room for argument. Knowing that it was pointless to keep talking, the puppet master let out an irritated groan. At times he wanted nothing more but to beat some sense into his little brother, he really did.
"Whatever, I'll let you talk with Hinata. But just know that either way you'll have to talk with Hiashi".
Instead of responding Gaara walked out of his office, finding the nearest balcony stepped out into the hot air and leaned against the railing. Too many feelings were stirring inside him but the best one right now would be exhaustion.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Gaara forced himself to take several deep breaths. No one could really blame him for being a little snappish as of late. Too many problems that all needed his attention were taking its toll on him. A few more deep breaths later and he had successfully calmed down enough to start thinking.
Gaara wasn't sure if talking to Hiashi was going to do anything. They didn't see eye to eye at but he knew that at this point it was like the old saying of anything goes. No matter how small the effort something would need to be done. Sometimes he really hated how so much responsibility was on his shoulders.
"I'm getting too worked up. Calm down and think, you've got to make a decision".
Travel to Konoha? It sounded like his best option. But if he did, then what would happen to Hinata? He could always count on his sister to look after her; but what if that wasn't enough? As much as Temari was found of Hinata there was only so much that she could do. Besides, she had her own issues to work out with her spouse. Gaara knew that Temari wouldn't settle until Shikamaru returned and who knew how long that was going to take.
He could take her with him. But then what should happen if he left her alone, and Hiashi decided to pay her a visit. No, that wasn't possible. He'd only be putting her in unnecessary danger. It was best if she remained here.
Gaara growled lowly in frustration. Why must this be so difficult?! It was a question of go or not go. Regardless of the answer he picked someone was going to have to make a sacrifice.
Briefly he thought about asking Hanabi if she wanted to go to Konoha as a guardian for Hinata. He mentally slapped himself for thinking that. Hinata had made him promise to keep Hanabi out of his; she wasn't going to deal with this well. Knowing Hanabi she'd probably make things worse. No, that was not a good idea; he'd have to try and think of something else.
If he did leave Hinata, he wasn't sure what would happen. Say she had a nervous breakdown, what was become of her? What would become of the baby? That was too much of a risk for him to take. But if by some miracle that she remained stable in his absence then it would be a test of her mental capacity. Could he trust her to still be her same old self? Gaara ran a hand through his hair; it wasn't like he had any better options.
His only hope was to trust that Hinata could last long enough without him to sort things out with Hiashi. But that was kinda asking a lot. Especially in her condition, but he remembered that he truly wanted to put an end to this and if this was the only way he could do it then so be it.
"Gaara-dana?"
He knew that voice all too well. Turning around he saw Hinata standing near the entrance. She had a worried look on her face.
"You'll get sunburn if you stay out for too long. Please come back inside".
Gaara didn't say anything as he walked towards his wife. He already knew that she had been listening to the conversation he had with Kankuro earlier.
"How much did you hear?"
Hinata shifted her eyes so that she wasn't looking at him "Everything. I'm sorry for ease dropping but I couldn't help myself".
"Did you have something you want to tell me?"
This time she did look at him. He couldn't tell what she was thinking; her lavender eyes gave no sign for him to read her.
"I want you to go".
He looked a little surprised "What?"
Hinata took his hands into hers "Gaara-dana I want you to go to Konoha and speak with my father".
Damn, this woman was clever. She had figured out his thoughts even before he could reach a final decision.
Gaara shook his head "Hinata that's not an option".
She squeezed his hands "I've made my decision. I want you to go and confront my father".
"Why all of a sudden are you being so submissive, you just told me that-".
"I know what I said. Do you really think I'm asking you this because I want too? As your wife I have my own responsibilities also and believe me I would love nothing more than to take your place and do this myself. But with my pregnancy I'm prohibited to allow stress".
She squeezed his hands again "That's why I want you to go as a temporary replacement as myself. Give my father a taste of what's coming to him".
Gaara still didn't look convinced "Hinata, I don't want you to worry over me. I can figure something else out".
"Please Gaara, do this for me. Try to understand how frustrated I am".
Hinata did present a bit of a point. He could easily sense her inner turmoil. Hinata had become the type of person that wanted to give it her all no matter how long it took. She knew that physically her body would not allow her to act. But mentally her mind was in full battle gear and ready to charge.
"Please…please help me".
Gaara took his hands from hers and cupper her face. "Are you positive that you'll be alright if I go? I'm asking you as your husband to consider my feelings too".
The bluenette nodded a little "I know what my happen. But sometimes you've got to take risks".
She felt like that was a good enough answer since she couldn't really think of anything else to say.
Gaara stayed silent for quite some time, still cupping her face as he worked out the details in his head. Hinata had remained quite also. She would let him think it over, but she had said what was needed on her part.
She suddenly was pressed against his warm body as he buried his face in her neck. "You'll be the death of me" he muttered and she smiled in victory resisting the urge to laugh.
It was two days later that Hinata found herself standing outside the stone walls of Suna sending her husband off. Kankuro had agreed to go also at her request. Promising to keep Gaara in check when needed. Hena had become very upset clinging to her father wanting to go with him. Gaara being the ever caring father he was, had kissed her cheeks and forehead promising her that he'd be back in no time which had stopped her tears.
"Be careful in Konoha, don't let father intimidate you".
"It will take a lot more then empty threats to scare me".
Hinata wrapped her arms around his neck, secretly wishing him luck. How she wished she could go in his place instead.
"If I hear even the slightest thing wrong I'm coming back regardless".
She nodded "I will be fine. I promise to write to you to keep you posted".
Gaara hesitated for a few moments. He was just worried was all. He wanted to trust Hinata's words but that little voice of doubt was making itself known. He'd have to trust that Temari would take care of her. His poor sister, he'd have to repay her someday for all that she's done.
"Gaara we have to move now, it's a long trip".
The red head leaned in for a goodbye kiss which she happily returned. Before he headed off into the desert following his older brother, three days of traveling would give him more than enough time to think about what he would say to Hiashi when he finally did meet him again.
They hadn't been walking for long when Kankuro decided to speak up.
"I hope that you're happy with me tagging along. Hinata insisted that I come with you, she said that she'd feel better if you had an escort".
Gaara didn't respond as he kept his pace.
"You're being unusually quiet, got something on your mind little brother?"
He spared a glance at Kankuro before looking ahead, this time choosing to speak "Nothing I'm just thinking".
"About Hinata?"
"How did-"
"Come on Gaara, I'm your big brother I know nearly everything about you. I'm telling you to have a little faith in her".
"Kankuro she is still my wife, I can't not worry about her".
"I know, I know she told me about what she's expecting of you. I'm saying that you should trust what she says. You know how Hinata-chan is".
Gaara clicked his tongue in annoyance "Don't act like you know everything. I'm the one she married".
The puppet master chuckled "Well then as Hinata's husband I'd suggest you put your hopes in her. She's counting on you to trust in her. What kind of marriage is not based on mutual trust and support, I thought you understood that when you said your vows".
"Don't try to be funny".
"Gaara you're a man now. You've got to act like one too".
He sighed wishing that his older brother would just leave him alone. "Fine I'll trust Hinata, but don't try to stop me from thinking about her".
Kankuro shrugged "Hmm if you say so. I'm just your brother after all".
With that the two continued walking, by the time they reached Konoha Gaara was secretly wishing that Shikamaru would have enough findings to tip in his favor but all that would have to wait until he got there.
Alright, that should be more than enough for right now.
Next chapter will come a little sooner, but I'll have to do something thinking before I post it. I want this story to be a good one.
Reviews would be lovely, and if you have any ideas on how I can make this better please do not hesitate to ask.
So until next time my lovelies.
