Hello my lovelies!

I was able to post this chapter a bit early since I got enough motivation due to my fans. So thank you to everyone! I'm so pleased that this story is going so well, makes me really happy to know that I'm doing a good job.

I can only hope that the story will continue to be as good as I want it to be. So we'll keep going and see what happens.

As usual I hope that everyone reads and leaves me reviews.

Now onwards my dears, onwards!


"The gates are right up ahead, hang in there Gaara".

Shikamaru looked over his shoulder to see a sorry sight. His red headed brother-in-law looked more dead than alive; he had barely eaten anything on the journey home. The day before leaving Konoha he had stopped sleeping. He looked very much like a walking skeleton at the moment. Kankuro had been giving no choice but to use his body as a support beam to prevent his brother from collapsing for the three-day trek back home. Try as hard as the pair had tried to encourage Gaara to at least say something to them it was all fruitless. It was almost like Gaara had shut down completely, so that's why Shikamaru was so relieved when they finally made it to the gates. He hoped that nobody would notice their Kazekage's sorry state. Thankfully the citizens didn't question anything and had cleared a path for them to the tower.

When the trio entered the mansion Shikamaru was greeted with a harsh slap to the face that made him stumble to the ground, he was then lifted by his jacket onto his feet and arms flung around his neck. Temari had a weird look of anger and happiness as she squeezed the life out of the man she loved so much.

"You damn idiot! You had me worried sick".

He couldn't help but smile a bit despite the throbbing pain on the left side of his face; wrapping his arms around her waist. "Temari, I'm right here. You don't have to worry anymore". Sparing a brief glance over, Kankuro nodded and Shikamaru gave a silent nod in thanks before leading his wife away so they could be alone.

Hinata appeared with Hena a moment later, the small girl immediately ran to her father latching herself to his leg asking a million questions at once. Hinata on the other hand was a bit more hesitant, she had been ready to greet him when she noticed her husband's nearly lifeless eyes. Hinata had never seen Gaara like this in all her time living in Suna. She'd be lying if she said that it didn't scare her. She watched as Gaara put on a fake smile as he hugged their daughter, kissing her forehead.

"Hinata-chan come here for a minute".

She was pulled aside by Kankuro; he had a rather stern look on his face. Hinata could only guess that whatever she was about to hear couldn't be good news.

"What's happened with Gaara-dana, why is he-" the puppet master held up a hand.

"Here me out first, this is rather important".

Hinata listened attentively as her brother-in-law gave her a rundown of what happened in Konoha. She couldn't help but feel a bit of understanding by the way he told her about Gaara's breakdown and how he constantly needed someone by his side. It just went to show that even the strong couldn't be sparred when hit in the right place. By the time he was finished his eyes were hard, but it wasn't from anger, it was more like annoyance.

"Hinata, Gaara's in a really bad way right now. You saw him just now he's fucked up pretty bad and he's in desperate need of someone, and that's you".

Kankuro put his hands on her shoulders "I'm aware that you want to talk to him, but please for his sake and mine wait until he's stable. If he here's one more thing about the problem right now he's going to lose his mind. That's all I want to say".

He then walked over to Gaara taking Hena out of his arms and into his, the small girl protested loudly trying to reach for her father. Kankuro simply shushed her as he gave Gaara a gentle nudge in Hinata's direction, shooing the couple to a private spot. Sensing this Hinata took Gaara's hand and lead him to their bedroom. Once alone from the scene Hinata opened her arms a bit as Gaara slowly made his way over. They embraced each other and Hinata resisted the urge the gasp, her husband felt thin, Kankuro had mentioned that Gaara wasn't eating but she didn't think that he'd lose weight so quickly.

"Gaara-dana?"

The only response she got was her husband holding her tighter, she was about to say something else when she felt wetness on her clothes. It took her a moment to register that he was crying.

"Gaara-dana, why are you crying?"

He didn't answer her, he only tightened his grip. His crying increased to the point where his body was shaking. Hinata couldn't figure out what to say so she held her husband as he continued to cry on her shoulder. It was some time later that she was able to gently grasp his face and look into those tear soaked eyes. He looked absolutely miserable.

"I'm sorry" he croaked.

She raised a confused eyebrow "For what?"

"I couldn't do what you asked of me. I don't know what happened. But it was all a waste of time; I wasn't able to stop this".

He placed his hands over hers. "Please forgive me Hinata. I didn't mean to let you down, I promise I'll try harder I really will. Please don't be angry with me". His was begging at this point, she never thought that she'd see her husband like this. It was downright disturbing she needed to calm him down before things got even more out of hand.

"You do not have to apologize you have done nothing wrong".

"But I-"

She placed her index finger over his lips.

"Gaara-dana it's alright. I'm not angry or disappointed in you. Please do not feel like you've let me down".

Using her thumb she wiped away most of his tears "its okay, it really is". She gave him a warm smile "You tried and that's what counts". Gaara looked into her lavender eyes seeing only love and comfort; she wasn't upset with him, only concerned. The reassurance had him crying again but this time for a different reason.

"Hinata…" smiling some more, she tilted her head up to give him a warm kiss. She had missed the feeling of her lips molding with his. She felt him respond slowly but surely and it wasn't long till she ever so gently pushed him to their bed and then onto his back and settled herself on top not once breaking their kiss. It would be a few minutes later till she pulled away panting slightly. Gaara's eyes didn't look as lifeless as before but it would be some time yet till she saw those familiar teal eyes again.

"Hinata thank you".

She pressed her forehead against his. "I'm right here, everything will be fine. We'll make it through this together".

"Will that really happen?"

"It will. I know that it will".

"I trust you".

"And I trust you also".

She felt Gaara's hands lazily roam her body; she was doing a good job of distracting him from his sorrow. But she felt like she needed to do more. Brining her lips to his ear she whispered something and he blushed a bit before nodding.

Hours later, Hinata was watching her husband sleep soundly for the first time in days. Her method was very simple; she had merely given him the warmth of her body and snuggled with him until he had drifted off into slumber. Her fingers ever so gently stroked his hair without waking him, happy to be able to feel his red locks again. A small voice in the back of her head reminded her that she still needed to discuss business with him. But she quickly shoved it down; Hinata would not burden her husband while he was in the state even though it was a bit important. She'd have no choice but to wait until he was ready to take the news and in the meantime she'd try and gather more information herself. Sighing through her nose, the bluenette continued to watch over Gaara making sure that he slept peacefully.

"Lady Hinata, how long do you plan to wait before telling Lord Gaara?"

It had nearly been four days since Gaara came back to Suna. While he was making progress to being on the road to full recovery, Hinata knew that he needed more time. She most certainly did not want to see him waste away to nothing. Funny how not to long ago she was in the exact same state. If she really thought about it she still was. But the roles had been switched and it was her turn to take the lead.

"Baki-san my husband is still not well. I would prefer to tell him when he's regain his strength".

"I can understand that my Lady. But time is off the essence".

"Yes I know".

"Might I recommend Kankuro explain to him. It might be easier for you".

Hinata shook her head "That will not do. I have already mentioned that I must be the one to tell Gaara-dana what I've been doing".

She was not having this talk again. Baki had been trying to take over for her, but she refused not when she was getting the valuable information that she needed. Yes, she did want to tell Gaara she was itching to do so since her nagging conscious wouldn't leave her alone. But she was forcing herself for Gaara's sake to wait until he was ready. At the moment he still very much needed her.

"Lady Hinata…"

Her hand subconsciously came to rest over her now expanding abdomen. For her families sake she would do whatever was necessary.

"Please Baki-san I will handle this. I promise I will inform Gaara-dana but you must be patient". Her tone meant that she didn't want to hear another word from him and he had no choice but to stop pestering her. Baki was a reliable man and he would leave Hinata to this matter for as long as he felt like she was still under control. If by somehow the situation got out of hand, he would step in and take over only to assure his leader that his wife was kept safe.

Hinata had quickly left Baki to find Kankuro. She knew that she couldn't tell Gaara quite yet, but at the very least she thought that her brother-in-law would be a better chance for now. Hinata knew that Kankuro would try to persuade her to having him inform Gaara like Baki would. She was no fool, she was not about to let that happen. None of them had that right to do so. If Gaara was ever going to act rationally then it had to be her that told him so. Everyone else would just be seen as a source of irritation to her if they messed with her feelings. Sometimes she wished that others wouldn't go poking their noses into someone's business without permission.

She found her brother-in-law in his workshop probably working on a new puppet or something. The room was dim; tools and parts scattered everywhere on the walls and large table where she found him sitting concentrating on difficult piece.

"Kankuro-san?"

Her soft voice echoed into the almost dark room and it caught his attention immediately. Turning his head he saw her standing in the doorway looking hesitant to come in. He wondered why she would come here. His workshop was no place for a woman such as her.

"Hinata-chan did you want something?"

"Ano…can I talk to you please?"

Turning around fully, Kankuro wiped his oil stained hands on a cloth before motioning for her to come in.

"Sure I can spare a minute. Take that chair over there".

The gentle woman hurried to her offered seat and folded her hands neatly across her lap. Mentally giving herself a quick pep talk so that she could have the confidence she needed to say what she had learned several days ago. Her brother-in-law leaned forward a little to give her his full attention.

"Alright then, what's up?"

"I may have information that could help with my father".

Kankuro raised an eyebrow "So why are you telling me this? I thought that you were consulting Baki".

She kept her face serious as she spoke "Because I need to inform someone right away, as this is rather important".

"What about Shikamaru? He's a hell of a lot better at these kinds of things".

Hinata shook her head "It would be unfair to Shikamaru-kun to burden him with this. He has his own family to look after and I don't want to impose. Forgive me Kankuro-san but as of now you are the only one that I can confess too, until my husband is well enough".

Hinata was really hoping that her body language didn't give off how she felt. She had thought about waiting longer before seeking out Kankuro but past experience had reminded her that waiting too long would often bring trouble. So she had pushed aside her second guessing and went for it straight away. She knew that he would try to get out of it, or that he would try to convince her to let him handle the rest; not this time, she wasn't going to be tricked that easily.

"Okay fine, let's just hear the whole story. Please just tell me what's important".

~Flashback~

"Well look who it is. Wouldn't expect to see a cute little girl come and visit a man such as me".

Hinata resisted the urge to cower as she stood at the cell entrance with two Anbu guards and Baki by her side. She had waited one day to get where she was now, since Baki had to choose two of the best Anbu he felt were suitable to protect her and he needed to get permission from the prison to order a meeting for her. All in all the effort was finally about to pay off. She had been given a lecture by Baki on what to do and not to do before they arrived and now it was time to see if her hunch had been right.

"I came to talk".

Kazu gave her a wolfish grin "Talk is cheap sweet cakes, can't back up your motives without the action".

Hinata kept her cool even though she felt like running away. "You will answer some questions that I have in a civil and reasonable manner".

"Tsk! Women, always wanting a man to give away all that he can't. Gotta admit though, you've got guts baby cakes coming to me after I tried to take your life". He chuckled "I always did admire a woman with a little fire in her heart".

"Do not speak such language in front of Lord Kazekage's wife! You will answer whatever questions she may have. If you refuse to cooperate we have other less friendly methods of making you talk". Hinata was grateful that Baki spoke up when he did, she didn't know if she would be handle the game he was playing with her for long. She needed to remain focused.

"As you know my husband has already learned of the message that was given to you by my father. I am aware that he is trying to dispose of me and my younger sister is necessary. But I want you to tell me any other facts that you might know".

Kazu had a bit of a bored expression on his face "Hmm were to begin…ain't much that I can tell ya. Except for that little deal your daddy made with a foreign country-oops! Didn't mean to say that, must've slipped right passed me".

Hinata was caught off guard by what he said. "Please elaborate for me".

"Told you before I don't know much, but at the time when your bastard of a father wrote out that note for me. I had heard that there was a rumor going around that the oh, so great Hyuga Hiashi was in a little bit of trouble with another clan somewhere on the outskirts of the Hidden Sound".

"Which clan is it?"

Kazu cracked a grin "That I don't know, but I do know this. From what the rumor spoke of your daddy hadn't upheld his end of some sort of bargain and that made a bunch of people angry. That's what everyone supposedly knew. But then again most didn't have the assignment that was given to them by your daddy; he told me that he wanted me to kill you. When I asked him why the answer was simple, so he could repay his dept he was going to kill you and trade in your body to give them access to your bloodline".

For a second Hinata felt as though her heat had stopped beating. It was like she had forgotten how to breath she was so distraught by what she had just heard. The Hyuga have always had problems in the past with keeping the Byakugan safe. But to think that her own father was willing to trade in her life for exposing their clan's kekkai genkai was unbelievable. No Hyuga alive would even dream of committing such an act of treason.

"How do we know that you aren't lying?! This could all be some sort of setup you've planned giving the enemy the advantage". Baki's raised voice snapped her back into reality. She felt like she was going to faint, so she bit the inside of her cheek to calm herself down.

"If I was lying you wouldn't have gotten where you are now. I'm a prisoner you know, I don't care for Hyuga Hiashi at all. That bitch can burn in hell for all I care. Only reason I'm choosing to help you is because I ain't got anything better to do with my time. As much I as I like seeing you squirm I'd rather have my horror story with the Hyuga over so I can die a happy man".

"Why would my father tell you all of this? Why would he want to target me?"

"Look honey, I said before I don't know everything. I was just doing what he wanted me too. I can't stand the fact that I was being tricked into doing his dirty work. I should've died like a dog that night, but instead I was humiliated and forced to take on a task that little pussy never had the guts to do".

His eyes scanned her body for a moment before he gave her a sickening smile "Don't know why he'd want me to kill a pretty little thing like you. What with a body like that any man would want to fuck you hard".

Hinata cringed a bit as Baki gave Kazu a painful reminder of who he was talking too. She was herded behind the two anbu guards being told to stay behind them for safety. All of a sudden she didn't feel well, she felt like she was going to be ill. She didn't like being in the same room with this man and his twisted comments. She tugged on one of the Anbu's arm "I think I'm about to be sick, please take me out of here".

She was quickly escorted out by one of them, while the second stayed behind with Baki. When she was at a safe enough distance Hinata leaned against the nearest wall trying to control her breathing. She felt like she was going to vomit but after a few more deep breaths the nauseating feeling passed and she felt better.

Hinata felt a bit disappointed in herself, she had wanted to ask a couple more questions, but when the feeling of sickness washed over her she suddenly felt like she wasn't going to make it. To think that she had prepared herself for this too; it wasn't really her fault as nobody can control what they're body would do if faced in a situation like that but that still didn't stop the disappointment she felt.

"Lady Hinata, are you alright?"

She leaned against the wall some more feeling a little drained from what had just happened. She wanted to go back and ask more questions but she had heard enough for today. At least now she had a lead about her suspicious hunch and that was good enough for her.

"Please take me to my room".

~End Flashback~

"Is that really what happened?"

She nodded "Yes that is what I know…I have to go to Konoha soon".

Kankuro made a weird sound as he ran his hand down his face. "Hinata-chan you've gotten into a really fucked up mess". He couldn't help but feel bad for her. After all that had happened who wouldn't feel sorry for the Kazekage's wife.

"Tell you what, I'll talk to Gaara about what you told me and then we'll-"

"No. That is something I must do". She was right on the money, when she guessed that her brother-in-law would try this.

"Hinata-chan you can't burden this all by yourself. What do you think will happen if you continue to leave Gaara in the dark? By no means is he going to be fine with that".

"That is why I have to tell him, I don't want him to misunderstand".

"But you came to me in the first place, so doesn't that make it seem like your relying on me to help you".

Hinata squeezed her hands together, growing a little tired of this. "I did come to you, but only for you to listen. I don't recall asking for your help. I understand that you are Gaara-dana's right hand man, as well as his older brother. Your urge to help him is strong, but I'm asking you to please don't get involved for this until either I or Gaara-dana asks you too".

"But I-"

"Please Kankuro-san. I'm not trying to sound cruel; I simply don't want any more of my family to feel pressured by a cause that belongs to me".

The look in her eyes said it all, and he had no choice but to give in. Kankuro had high respect for his sister-in-law and if this is what she wanted for the moment. He'd do what she asked of him.

"Don't forget that Gaara isn't all as tough as he seems".

She nodded "I know. I am aware of that".

"Just…just be careful okay".

"I will, I promise that I will".

Without another word, she stood up and left the room hoping that she didn't already make a mistake. Too many times she had thought she knew what she was doing; if she did not get it together soon it really was going to prove fatal.

And we stop here for now.

I'm pretty sure that the next few chapters will be good, at the very least okay. All shall be reviled as we go on with the story.

Please leave me reviews if possible. I will have the next chapter up in roughly two or three weeks.

Thanks! Bye bye!