Hello to all!
This chapter is super special because today is Gaara's birthday! (Major fan girl squeal) I absolutely, positively ADORE Gaara, so I decided I had to do something for my sweet Gaara.
Consider this early chapter to be a rare occasion, I normally would never have the time to get a chapter up this early, but since it's extra special I can get away with it for now.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAARA! Oh, how I love him so.
Please read and review!
Now onwards my dears, onwards!
Hinata had kept to her promise and focused her attentions on her sister. She wasn't letting her out of her sight since she was worried the moment she let her guard down Hanabi was going to make a break for it. In the back of her head she would occasionally think about what Gaara was doing with his share of the bargain. He wouldn't tell her anything no matter how many times she asked simply from curiosity, he was really determined to keep her out of it. Tempting as it was too snoop around for answers Hinata was better than that so instead she reminded herself to focus on Hanabi who was currently playing blocks with Hena. It was a miracle that the small girl was still her usual happy-go-lucky self. Which was a good thing since the last thing Hinata needed was to have her daughter worry about her parents and all the problems they were facing. One should never underestimate the intelligence of a child; they were smarter than most would think.
Hanabi looked over her shoulder briefly to see her older sister lost in thought. Well she couldn't have that now could she?
"Nee-chan you've been standing in the corner for ten minutes now, why not come and play with us".
"Hmm? What did you say?"
"Come here and play with your daughter Nee-chan".
The bluenette resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Hanabi had been acting all sugar sweet for days now. It was making her angry that her little sister thought that she was a fool. Hinata could see right passed her dumb act. It was only a matter of time until the jig was up.
Hena looked pleased as her mother walked over from her corner, one more person to join in her fun was always a good thing.
"Mommy play with me!"
Hinata smiled at Hena kindly taking the yellow block that Hena offered her. She wasn't really in the mood to be playing but she knew that she had to humor her daughter while Hanabi was still here.
"Thank you, sweetheart".
"Will baby play too?"
Hinata giggled softly "Your future brother or sister will play lots of games with you when they are born".
"When that be?"
Hinata tucked some of Hena's red locks behind her ear.
"Not for a while now, the baby still needs to grow some more".
Hena gave a small frown "But the baby has been growing for long time, I want to see it".
Hinata laughed a bit "Be patient my dear, you'll know what the baby will look like when he or she is born".
As she played with her daughter, Hinata could feel that Hanabi was watching her. It almost made her want to slap her it was irritating. If Hanabi hadn't figured out at this point that Hinata was on to her then she was stupider that Hinata originally thought. No way in hell was she going to let Hanabi intimidate her. She thought that she was about to snap when Hena's voice gave her the distraction that she needed.
"Daddy!" getting up from the floor Hena ran into her father's waiting arms laughing as he swung her around briefly.
The bluenette was surprised to see Gaara away from his office, did he want something?
"Gaara-dana?"
He offered her is hand and she gracefully took it. "Gaara-dana what is it?"
The red head didn't answer her "Hanabi we're going out for a bit".
"Eh? Gaara what are you-" he shushed her as he lead his family away. He wasn't going to tell her the real reason that he had come home so early was because he was angry at what was happening in Konoha from a recent letter he got from his brother. He needed to calm down and he figured the best way to do so was to try and forget for the next couple of hours.
"I wanted to see you".
"Come again?"
"I wanted to see my family".
"Oh…okay".
She wanted to ask more questions, but knew that she wouldn't get anywhere with it. She wasn't about to break her promise now. Not when she had her own side to keep. In truth she had wanted to get away from Hanabi for days now. Watching her like a hawk was putting its toll on her. If her sister knew better she wouldn't try anything funny now that she was alone. This was going to be some strange trust exercise for them both. Hinata was really hoping that until she got back from wherever Gaara was taking her and Hena that Hanabi wouldn't do anything ridiculous.
"Follow me please".
"Where are we going?"
"Nowhere, let's just enjoy it while it lasts".
Turns out he simply wanted to take a walk around the village. Hinata couldn't remember the last time they did something together as a family. With all the drama, she had forgotten that moments like this were worth cherishing. Deciding to push all her worries and doubts to the side for now, the bluenette for the first time in what felt like ages allowed herself to smile and enjoy the company of her husband and daughter. Despite the fact that she lived in a desert, Sunakagure was bustling with life. Hena certainly seemed to be enjoying herself as she held each of her parent's hand walking in between them as they explored what the village had to offer; occasionally being stopped to receive a greeting from passing citizens.
Hinata felt happy. It had been some time since she felt this happy.
The beautiful sight of her family smiling made her all giddy inside. She felt a little ashamed that she'd forgotten what it meant to be happy with those that you love. But knowing that there was always a silver lining among clouds of darkness seemed to reassure her that in time the future will be better, all that there was to do now was wait and what happens next.
She shifted her eyes to see her husband talking about something with Hena, it made her heart skip a beat.
"Gaara-dana?"
"Yes?"
Hinata gave him a warm smile "Thank you".
It was his turn to smile "For what?"
"For all of this, I haven't felt this happy in such a long time. I didn't want to forget what it meant to be a family".
In the back of his mind Gaara felt a bit guilty that he couldn't tell his wife what was happening in Konoha. As much as he wanted to say something he wasn't going to spoil the mood and made a mental note to tell her when the time was right. He was supposed to be enjoying himself, better to keep it that way.
Hena pulling on his robe got his attention away from his wife.
"Daddy you're not listening!"
"I'm sorry baby; Daddy was just saying something to Mommy".
He turned his focus back to his daughter picking her up and placing her on his shoulders before wrapping one arm around Hinata; for the rest of the day the young Kazekage and his wife and child spent some much needed overdue time together as a family. It was almost like picture perfect image of what a family should look like. How long had it been since they could be like this? Hopefully by the time their second child arrived that these kinds of moments would become a more common sight.
Naruto let out a very loud groan as he covered his eyes with his hand. Kankuro and Shikamaru were standing in the middle of his office each of them wandering in their own thoughts. Kankuro had just told Naruto what Sasuke had told him and he somehow knew that the blond Hokage would react this way. He didn't blame him; he was tired of that bastard Hyuga also.
Rubbing his temples the blonde let out a sigh "So Sasuke is still in Oto?"
"Don't know, probably".
"Tsk! Nothing is ever simple as you wish".
He wondered briefly he banged his head hard enough against his desk if it would be enough to knock him out. It sounded like the best alternative to knock him out his misery. Temping as it was, the blonde knew he'd regret it later.
Shikamaru mumbled something under his breath before deciding to speak "Hey Naruto, you got any sort of info regarding Konoha's relationship with Oto? Perhaps there might be something there that I can use".
"What for? We already know what happened from what we learned from Sasuke".
The Nara opened his mouth to reply when Kankuro beat him too it.
"Shikamaru why are you here?"
"What?"
"Why are you really here? I doubt it's to keep me company".
The Nara simply gave him a tired look "It's so troublesome when a person can't catch a moment's peace. It may not be my business to get involved but Hianta is my friend so I have my duty to help her. Plus Temari said she'd beat me if I didn't do something to help".
A quiet chuckle from Naruto was heard. Having known Shikamaru all these years, he knew that he could rely on him. Shikamaru may be unmotivated at times but he was a man that valued his friends.
Kankuro merely shrugged but on the inside he was glad that he wasn't going to be doing this alone. It was always better to have a companion with you for these sorts of things. Now he needed to figure out what to do.
"We'll need to inform Neji".
"Even if we do that still won't be enough".
"Huh?"
"You're forgetting something important. I may not know much about the Hyuga but I do know that if Hiashi goes there's going to be a sudden uproar. The Hyuga will look for a new clan leader and with Hinata and Hanabi out of the question that leaves no one".
Naruto thought for a moment "Why not Neji? I'm sure he'll fit the position".
Shikamaru rolled his eyes "Dummy, have you forgotten that Neji is a branch member. It's very unlikely that the main house will welcome him with open arms".
"Well shit, there goes that idea".
"Not necessarily".
"Oh? Explain then".
"Don't be so dense Naruto".
Shikamaru folded his arms "Perhaps if a certain someone were to persuade the Hyuga to change their rules it might just be the lucky break that we need to have Neji become clan ruler".
When the realization hit Naruto he glared at the Nara. "Shikamaru back up that thought. I can't just wipe the slate clean for Hyuga traditions. I may be Hokage, but I have no business in clan matters".
"You do if it concerns the village. That's exactly why you need to go and give it to them straight".
The blonde clenched his fists "Son of a bitch".
Kankuro smirked slightly, if he was going to be acting in as his little brother's replacement then he'd need to do his part as well.
"Might I'd suggest having Sasuke doing more exploring in Oto. What he told me was pretty straight forward, but should he happen to come across more it might give us that extra boost just in case".
Naruto ran a hand through his hair, even though he really didn't want to go through with his. He needed to act as a Hokage should it was high time to knock that tyrant down a notch or two. He would have to plan this carefully, he didn't just want to say the wrong things and turn the Hyuga against him. But sure as hell he couldn't do this by himself.
"Shikamaru I need your help". A nod, "That's why I'm here".
"When do we start?"
There was a slight pause "First things first, we need to do a bit of digging around".
Hena was giggling away as she had her ear pressed against her mother's bulging abdomen listening to the sound of her sibling's heartbeat. The small girl had been having a wonderful time with her parents walking around the village. Now the small family was watching the sun set from a top a large building. All in all it had been a fun experience; Hena rarely got to do anything with both parents so it made her little world a bit brighter knowing that she could still have that joy of knowing her family's love.
"Baby moving! Baby moving!" she said happily jumping around her mother.
"Yes my sweet".
Her laughter filled the air as Gaara tossed their daughter in the air a few times; it was marvelous sight to behold at least in Hinata's opinion.
"You're going to be a good big sister for the baby won't you?"
"Yes Daddy! I'll be the best big sister in the world!".
A chuckle "That's my girl".
Hinata reached out her arm to tug softly on Gaara's sleeve, once she had his attention she couldn't stop herself from asking one question from a simple observation that she noticed a few days ago concerning the others in her family.
"Gaara-dana…Kankuro-san and Shikamaru are in Konoha aren't they?"
He took her hand in his, "Yes they are".
She nodded briefly in understanding. She was about to ask more but Gaara cut her off "Hinata don't start. Please let's not ruin this". He gave her hand a squeeze and she gave in. All would have to be come out soon but as of now it was not important.
"Gomen, I couldn't help myself. I trust you".
He smiled "Thank you".
Nothing more was then said about the matter as the small family watched the sun set on the horizon until the inky texture of the night stained the sky.
Yay I'm done!
I hope that this chapter was somewhat sweet. I wanted to show a little fluff with Gaara and his family since it's his special day.
Please leave a review if possible.
Next chapter will come whenever I have the time.
Happy Birthday Gaara!
Bye bye my lovelies!
