Hi peoples!
Time for the newest chapter, I'm so sorry that there was a bit of a wait. But I had a really bad cold that I needed to recover from. I also have one other story that I've been trying to keep track of, so that got most of my attention as well. I hope that this chapter turns out well.
I just realized that Hanabi hasn't been mentioned for quite some time. So I somehow figured out how to incorporate her into this chapter. I have plans for her for later chapters.
Any spelling mistakes, I apologize for.
So as usual I don't own anything.
Please leave me lots of reviews!
Now onwards my dears!
He had lost track of the hours that he spend sitting next to the hospital bed that held his wife. When Hinata did eventually wake, she had been given a very long lecture from her doctor about stress and how it was a terrible burden to her unborn child. She hadn't like being told what she already knew but like a good girl she had waited until it was over before she demanded answers from her tired husband. Course it didn't help that he also felt it necessary lecture her about what she had already been told, as much as she tried to protest Gaara wouldn't hear it. She felt very much like a naughty girl; she knew that Gaara couldn't help it. But it still didn't make her feel any better. Almost immediately after he was finished she tried to change the topic by asking how they were going to solve this matter.
"Don't worry about it. For now you need to focus on yourself".
"But Gaara-"
"No, don't say another word. You know what will happen if you don't listen".
Hinata pouted a bit, she really didn't like being treated like a youngling. Nonetheless Gaara knew what was best for her.
"Ignoring the problem won't make it go away".
"I'll think of something".
"What about-"
"Hinata" his voice was only slightly firmer. One look and she knew that she'd better shut up. She didn't want to risk getting him mad, so for now she'd do what was expected of her. This was for the best anyway. She was in no condition to be making arrangements, not when she had to think about what was needed for her baby.
"Alright, I'll stay out of it for now. But keep in mind that this concerns me just as much as it does you".
The red head placed a warm hand on her cheek "I said I'd think of something and I will. Do not fret I won't allow you to do so".
She was released from the hospital a day later, but much to her annoyance Gaara was not letting her out of his sight. She didn't think that he'd take what he said in a literal sense; she could almost say that he was about as bad as her cousin with all the hovering he did. No matter how much she complained he still kept on looking over her. Hinata could tolerate many things, but even she had a limit and her patience was wearing thin. She'd had enough eyes watching her in the days when she was young; most certainly did she need to be babysat as a grown woman. She had figured out the reason Gaara was doing this was because he knew the moment his wife was out of sight, she'd tired to take matters into her own hands. That was a risk he couldn't take any chances with. Hinata would most likely make things worse since she'd probably rush in without thinking. No, he'd have to be the one to take charge. It would have to be done carefully though.
Gaara pondered on this for days, till he came up with a simple idea. Since he couldn't leave Hinata he'd have to send someone else to Konoha. Naruto would need to know about this, and possibly Neji since he could provide support to back him up.
"You can't be serious?!"
His older brother was glaring at him with a scowl on his face. He had been called to Gaara's office expecting a regular meeting regarding political matters. He had not expected his little brother to send him off to do dirty work.
"Kankuro you know that I can't go".
The brunette rolled his eyes in annoyance "Oh sure, let me do all the work. Come on Gaara, I've already met up Uchiha now you want me to go to Konoha. I'm not your errand boy".
"My wife needs me, I cannot leave her alone. I know that she won't last".
"I understand that but what will sending me do? Hiashi will deny everything".
"Contact Hyuga Neji and ask him to do some investigating. I'm sure with luck he'll be able to find something no matter how small it is we can still use it against Hiashi".
"This is stupid".
Gaara didn't move a muscle as he had a stare down with the puppet master. Even he did not like the fact that once again his burden would become someone else's but what could he do about it. At times like this all you could do was rely on the support of family and hope for the best. The two males continued their silent battle with one another each of them proving to be resistant to the other. One of them would cave in eventually. But now was a matter of deciding who.
Kankuro wanted to throw a fit, he wanted to shake some sense into his brother but he knew better than that. Lately he felt like he was being dumped with everyone's problems; as much as he wanted to be left alone Gaara did have a point; he did care of his sister-in-law and it was true that he didn't want her to make any mistakes should she take action. Kankuro was aware that Gaara would not be asking him to do this unless he was desperate. In retrospect Gaara had bailed him out plenty of times before, but seriously he didn't like having to place the messenger; better suck it up and get it over with. Mumbling something under his breath Kankuro eventually shook his head in great annoyance as he reluctantly gave in to Gaara's request.
"Damn it Gaara, I'll go to Konoha. But this is the last time I'm acting as your stand in".
He left his brother in a huff and once left alone Gaara couldn't help but give a small smile of appreciation. He'd have to make it up to Kankuro when this was all over. It was the least he could do for all the help his older brother was giving him.
So as it would be, a few days later Gaara saw Kankuro and Shikamaru off at the gates of Suna. For some reason the Nara had insisted that he come along. Something about wanting to get more dirt on the subject or something; he wouldn't make it clear what he was planning but whatever it was Gaara would trust him to handle his own matters. He hadn't bothered to tell his wife about this, he knew that she'd get mad when she eventually found out. But Gaara had to remind himself that he was doing this for her own good. He hated keeping secrets from her, but for this particular case the less Hinata knew from now on the better. He refused to have her take any chances. He really hoped that she wasn't suspecting anything.
"Nee-chan don't look so miserable".
"Hanabi how can I help it. I feel like I'm being monitored at every corner".
"Lover boy is only doing what he feels is right".
The bluenette huffed in irritation both at the nickname that she still detested and the fact that Hanabi had been right.
"Why can't he mind his own business? I'm a grown woman for goodness sake".
Hanabi couldn't help but snicker at her sister's quiet ranting. "Nee-chan you worry too much, try not to let it get to you. That husband of yours already does more then he should".
Hinata turned to face her younger sister "Why do you say that?"
Hanabi shrugged a bit "No reason, no reason at all".
The bluenette raised one eyebrow. For some reason she couldn't help but feel as though Hanabi was lying to her. Her sister had been strangely behaving herself for some time now; she couldn't tell whether it was a blessing or a curse. Hanabi had always had a nasty habit of sticking her nose where it didn't belong. It gave her a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that her sister was once again up to no good. Deciding to test her theory Hinata opted for a bit of gentle prodding.
"Hanabi have you been planning anything?"
That sounded like a good start. Or was it too forward?
"Mmm not much, just been keeping up with training is all".
She interpreted that as a positive sign for now. But there wasn't that full satisfaction of knowing that it was the truth.
"Nee-chan how do you think Neji is?"
"I don't know I haven't heard from him in months".
The sudden change in topic was a clear indicator that Hanabi was hiding something. Why else would she go out of her way to bring up their cousin unless it had something to do with Konoha. Was it possible that there was something else Hanabi wasn't telling her? Hinata knew that was she was about ask next would be a little risky but what other choice did she have, if Hanabi was lying to her she needed to figure it out sooner than later.
"Ano…Hanabi you mentioned to me a long time ago that you wanted to go back to Konoha, do you still want to go?"
Hanabi remained silent for a good five minutes. It was like Hinata could practically see the wheels in her head turning trying to formulate some kind of excuse.
"No…I have no reason to now".
She was mentally screaming at the top of her lungs. Hinata knew for a fact that her sister was lying to her. Behind those pearl orbs she could see the ambition of something that would only turn out horribly wrong. She wanted to take Hanabi by her ear and give her a good scolding. Instead she gave her a fake smile making sure to look somewhat happy to convince her sister that she wasn't on to her.
"Alright then, I just wanted to know from curiosity".
One of these days she was really going to let Hanabi feel the full force of her anger. She couldn't keep doing this; her little sister had gotten under her skin for the last time. If she wasn't such a caring person, no doubt that Hanabi would already be on her knees kissing her feet.
"You will let me know if you do decide to go right?"
"Nee-chan of course I will. I wouldn't make you worry about me".
Hinata gritted her teeth through her lips oh, that stung a bit. She wasn't sure if Hanabi realized what she said but right now she wanted nothing more than to take use the Hyuga's sixty-four palm strike and knock her sister unconscious. But in typical Hinata-like fashion she simply politely excused herself and walked away a few deep breaths later she had managed to calm down. Gaara was going to have to know about this, he could already see his face now. He would not be pleased with Hanabi at all. She wondered briefly if Gaara would lash out at her like she so desperately wanted to a few minutes ago. Perhaps then would she come to her senses?
The red head had just arrived back in his office when he heard his wife walk in. She had a combined look of exasperation and irritation written on her face. It caused him to raise an eyebrow.
"Hinata what is wrong?"
The bluenette shook her head "It's my sister".
Gaara folded his arms "Oh? What about her?"
Lavender eyes met with teal ones. "She's lying to me. I know she is. Hanabi is plotting something again".
"What proof do you have? How do you know for sure?"
She quickly explained the conversation she had earlier to him. She had been hoping that her husband would feel the anger she was feeling of dealing with this bullshit. Instead he kept his usual stoic face, but she could see the flames of anger burning in his eyes. Hinata felt a brief joy knowing that she wasn't the only one wanting to her moron of a sister to stop whatever it was she was doing.
"Hinata I don't know what to say".
"Gaara-dana perhaps it's best if you let me handle this".
"Absolutely not".
"Gaara". Her voice was serious, "Forgive me for sounding rude, but what could you possibly do? You know Hanabi; unless I talk to her she won't listen. I think we both know by now that Hanabi needs help, we both have too much on our plates. So I'm asking we divide and concur".
He gave her a confused look. "You handle one problem I take care of Hanabi". Hinata knew that Gaara wouldn't be able to resist this offer. The red head wouldn't be able to deal with multiple things at once. She wanted to do her fair share and this was her chance to finally make herself useful before she let things get way out of hand again. She waited for his response knowing that he couldn't back out.
"Are you sure? I do not wish to take changes for the safety of our infant".
Hmm, go figure. Should've known that he'd pull that always had to show a streak of stubbornness; she gave him a small smile of confidence "Gaara-dana you know that you can't resist. Please allow me to take care of my sister".
Knowing that it was pointless to start an argument, he reluctantly gave him to her request. She was jumping up and down with glee inside of her head. Oh, how she loved in when she could win these little disputes. It was so satisfying.
"Just please don't do too much. I want you to stay healthy".
"Gaara I'm nearly six months pregnant, not dying from a disease". That of her way of saying she didn't need to be given a reminder of what she was already very much aware of. Nervous habit one could say, Gaara was still her husband after all.
He briefly thought about his two messengers heading to Konoha. Part of him knew that he should be accompanying them, the other half was actually rather grateful that he wasn't going as he still had the occasional foul memory of thinking about Hiashi's face. Well, whatever happened now only time would tell he just wished the waiting was so painfully tiring.
Yes, yes I know this chapter is short. In all honesty I didn't have the time to make it longer. College is such a demanding thing so I have no clue when the next chapter will be posted. We shall see what happens next.
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Goodbye my lovelies!
