Hey guys!

Since my workload has deceased for now that means I have time to write.

Still don't have a clue as to when this story will end, but I can say that there's still much more I have to do. No way am I gonna leave it unfinished.

It's only now occurred to me that Sasuke has been mentioned way more time than I thought. I don't even like Sasuke, but for now he's needed for the story so I guess I have to suck it up and keep going.

So as always read, and don't forget to leave reviews if possible.

If you see any spelling mistakes, please forgive me.

Now onwards my dears!


Gaara had been surprised when Kankuro returned to Suna early. Apparently he had been sent back by Shikamaru since he didn't have any real purpose being there; that had been putting it bluntly. But he had told Kankuro to reassure Gaara that everything was supposedly under control in Konoha. The Nara was working with the Hokage to dig up any dirt that could help. Sasuke was still in Oto; but so far there hadn't been any update from him. What he was doing was anyone's guess. Still, it was nice to know that Gaara could count on a few people to help him. For the most part it was comforting that he didn't have to do this alone, it would've been too much to handle for one person.

"Gaara how's Hinata?"

"She is doing well".

"Hmm…and your kid?"

"Our child is alright, she's been following the doctor's orders".

A nod "Hey man, are you ever planning on going back to Konoha?"

Kankuro noticed how Gaara's fists clenched. He couldn't tell what was going through his brother's head; then again maybe it was best if he didn't.

"Yes I plan to".

"When?"

Gaara's knuckles had turned white. "I don't know…I can't leave Hinata".

"I already know that. But I don't think Shikamaru and Naruto should be left doing all the work".

"I trust that they know what they are doing. I won't interfere with their work unless they notify me specifically".

Kankuro rubbed a hand down his tired face. "Whatever, I'm done being everyone's errand boy".

"Thank you for all you've done". His older brother simply waved it off as he left his office.

"Nee-chan we need to talk".

Hanabi's anger had reached a boiling point. She was sick of being babysat by Hinata constantly; at first she didn't understand why her older sister felt the need to do such a thing. It didn't take long for the pieces to fall together and Hanabi was now under the impression that Hinata was suspicious of her. She didn't think that Hinata would catch on so quickly; shame on her for being so confident that she'd never be discovered.

"What is it Hanabi?"

"Whatever you're doing, I want you to stop".

Hinata froze were she stood. Biting the inside of her cheek to force herself to remain calm, so her little sister had enough of this huh? The bluenette had figured that it wouldn't be too much longer till Hanabi snapped but she did not think that her sister would express herself in this way. She thought for sure that she'd try to escape again.

Hinata slowly turned around. Lavender eyes burning with rage "I would say the same to you as well". Her voice was cold, it made Hanabi shiver for a moment but she wasn't going to back down so easily.

"What do you know about me Nee-chan. How do think I've made it this far".

"Because of me, you wouldn't be here right now if I hadn't stepped in".

"Believe me I when I say that I think I have myself to thank. Remember that you were not the one that received the force of our bastard father's abuse".

Hinata scowled, her patience was really getting thin. Hanabi was treading on thin ice now.

"Watch your tone! Do not forget that it was me that saved you from death".

Hanabi narrowed her eyes "Really? I wouldn't know about that".

"Hanabi!" Hinata warned.

"What?! Did you really want to believe that I could be changed? I can't forgive him! I'll never forgive him, all he's ever done is torture us since we we're born. That isn't fair at all if our damn mother hadn't been such a bitch about it none of this wouldn't have had to happen".

"Hanabi you cannot possibly blame our mother!".

"Then who else?! Mom didn't give us much of a choice when she died. It was either toughen up or be picked off. You know how brutal our clan is".

Hinata clenched her fists "Hanabi I'm warning you do not test me".

"Fortune does not favor the weak. I'm not like you Nee-chan".

That was it, the final straw needed to send Hinata over the edge. Her damn sister should've backed down when she had the chance. Now she was going to get it.

"HANABI!" In a moment too fast Hanabi found herself knocked down to the floor a pain starting to fill her body. She gagged a bit; Hinata had damaged her central chakra system. The pain was so intense that she couldn't move from the floor. Above her Hinata looked absolutely livid. Lavender eyes were screaming with fury. It was almost too hard to believe that this gentle, caring woman could have acted so harshly.

"Shut up this instance". Hinata took a step towards her crippled sister, the veins around her eyes pulsing from anger.

"You really should've listened to me".

Despite that she was in pain, Hanabi scoffed and turned her head to the side. That in turn got her another strike this time just below her heart. The force caused her to cough up blood. She just couldn't learn to read the signals could she. Or at the very least keep her mouth shut. The bluenette could almost say that if felt good to strike her stupid sister. All that pent up anger had gotten to a boiling point and as much as she wanted to keep going, Hinata knew that she'd end up killing Hanabi if she did. Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Hinata roughly lifted Hanabi to her feet before carrying her to her room leaving her to tend to her body. Once she was at a safe enough distance, Hinata forced herself to try and calm down. More than anything she wanted to go back and keep beating her sister until she was bloody all over. In spite of herself, Hinata would not stoop to that level. She wouldn't become like her father even if the idea was tempting. One thing was certain; she refused to apologize for striking Hanabi.

No way in hell would that happen until Hanabi apologized first for all the shit she put her through. Only then would she even consider the idea. Her sister needed to learn to take responsibility for her actions. No matter how brutal it sounded. This was a fact that she couldn't avoid.

"Hinata-chan?"

Lavender eyes turned to meet Temari's forest green ones. "What happened?"

On the inside Hinata was cursing how her sister-in-law probably heard the commotion. Well shit, just what did she want to expect.

"Temari-san…you probably already know".

The blonde bit the inside of her cheek. Yes, it was foolish of her to ask. She wasn't going to convince Hinata to do something she thought was right. It wasn't her place to stick her nose in Hinata's business.

"I'm sorry".

Hinata simply shook her head. "Think nothing of it".

"I'll be leaving then".

She was about to turn around when Hinata stopped her. "Wait…I have a favor to ask".

Temari raised an eyebrow "What kind of favor?"

A knock on Gaara's door pulled out of his thoughts. "Come in".

His sister entered his office was a calm look on her face. "Gaara…I need to talk to you".

"Temari what is it?"

The blonde shifted a little, Hinata's words playing over in her mind. She wasn't sure if Gaara would buy it, but she would have to try.

"It's about Hanabi".

Gaara put down the document he was holding. "I'm listening".

"I…I think we should send her to Otokagure".

Gaara didn't move a muscle "I beg your pardon?"

Temari swallowed hard "Sasuke is still trying to find anything that could help. Maybe it would be best if Hanabi went to help him. It would certainly keep her distracted".

A heavy silence fell over. Temari didn't feel comfortable standing there resisting the urge to rub her hands while her brother looked like he was thinking something over. In truth this idea wasn't hers, but Hinata's she had asked her to try and convince Gaara to do this. When she had protested about it, all she got were pleas from Hinata to at least try. Temari wasn't sure what the motive was; but if Hinata insisted then all she could do was oblige and see what happened. The blonde wasn't that good at convincing others unless it was necessary. Knowing Gaara, she figured that he'd be on to her.

She almost jumped out of her skin when Gaara said her name, his voice a little too relaxed.

"Temari?"

"Um…yes?"

"May I ask you one thing?"

"Sure?"

Gaara rested his chin on his folded hands "Was this Hinata's idea?"

The blonde was mentally cringing. Her little brother was smarter then she thought. That didn't take long for him to figure out. Damn, what was she supposed to do now? She could try to fib her way out. But Gaara had a built in lie detector he'd know right away. Temari knew that she'd be calling Hinata out, but what other choice did she have. There was no other way she could get out of it.

"Yes, she asked me to try and convince you".

The red head closed his eyes for a moment. His right brow twitching, the blonde knew that meant he was angry. She didn't blame him; she hadn't liked the idea either. Another wave of silence washed over, once again Temari was left standing there looking nervous as Gaara tried to work out something in his head.

"Temari?"

This time she did jump a little, much her embarrassment "Yeah?"

Gaara kept his voice calm "Please bring my wife here. I wish to have a word with her".

The red head waited patiently for his sister to fetch Hinata. Fingers clenched tightly; he really wanted to ask her why the hell she'd think of such a stupid idea. It just didn't make any sense to him.

When Hinata stepped into his office, he reminded himself to remain calm. Even though he was angry he didn't want to lash out at her yet. She had some explaining to do.

"Hinata come here".

She did what she was told walking over to his side, keeping her eyes on the floor. Standing up from his chair Gaara extended a hand taking her chin; tilting it up so that he could look at her. Hinata didn't blame Temari at all. It was her idea to begin with; she had only wanted to avoid her husband's anger. Perhaps that was too much to ask. Oh well, it was time to face her consequence.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Hinata was thankful that she didn't shudder from Gaara's irritated tone. "I…it's my fault".

"Care to enlighten me? What were you thinking?"

"I thought that if Hanabi was influenced by someone who had already walked down the path she's on, she would most likely change her mind".

Gaara thinned his lips "So you thought Uchiha was the best option".

The bluenette nodded, the red head made a weird sound in the back of this throat. He turned away from her trying to control his breathing. Hinata stood where she was not bothered to try and walk up to him. That would be a very bad idea if she did.

"I don't know what else to do". She tugged her blouse a little.

"Hanabi is stubborn, when she sets her mind to something she won't give in. It true that she'll only listen to me; but only when she feels it necessary".

Gaara fists clenched, his back was still to her. Hinata continued talking "There is only so much that I can do. I don't want to make more mistakes. That's why I thought of asking Sasuke…at this point he's most likely the only one besides me that can do any damage control".

He still had not turned around "Hanabi may try to run again. When that happens I don't know if this time I'll be able to stop her. She's only going to end up digging her own grave".

Hinata was expecting a response, but she didn't get one. She couldn't tell if she was only making things worse; it was probably best if she stopped talking. But her mouth had a mind of its own.

"It's so much harder now to tame her. I fear that she might have to learn the hard way what happens if you don't listen to reason. But if that's the only way she can accept reality, then I suppose I don't have that may options left".

Before she could say any more Gaara placed his index finger over her lips, his eyes were still closed but his body was tense. In the back of her head, she knew that she had screwed up. Now she definitely felt stupid. She really should've kept her mouth shut.

"Hinata".

Gaara's teal eyes were burning with rage "Don't ever request such a ridiculous idea ever again".

All she could do was nod. She would've spoken but the look in his eyes told her otherwise. What the hell was she supposed to do then?! Hanabi was acting liked a caged tiger sooner or later she was going to snap. When that happened, Hinata didn't have a clue about what she would have to do. Hanabi was going to get herself killed, or she would potentially start a conflict with Suna and Konoha. The second idea was very unlikely to happen. But it was something she couldn't ignore. Why'd her fucked up family have to be the way it was. It would've been so much easier if they settled their differences a long time ago.

"Don't make me worry about you even more".

"Nani?"

"Hinata you promised me you would handle your sister. Don't make me think that you can't keep it".

She huffed a little "I'm perfectly capable of keeping my end of the bargain. But from where I am now, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do".

"Then please try to think things through before you say them".

"Gaara it was an honest effort on my part. What else should I do for Hanabi? You know that she despises the Hyuga".

The red head ran a hand through his hair, giving a tired sigh "I don't know Hinata…I don't know".

He turned his back to her once again. This time Hinata knew that he'd welcome her touch. Wrapping her arms around his torso she rested her head against his back. For a long time the couple stood where they were. Hinata wasn't the only one that was in a dilemma.

"Please trust me". She said softly.

"I do, I trust you".

"I'm sorry. You were right, I should've thought more carefully".

Gaara turned around so that he could cup his wife's face. "I know, but still I don't want to have something happen to you because of Hanabi".

The bluenette couldn't help but smile a little. Even now he was still expressing his concern for her. It was sweet of him to be this caring.

"I'll think of something else. In the meantime you keep your side of our promise".

He nodded "As you wish".


All done for right now.

Hopefully this chapter is longer than the previous one. I tried to move the plot forward a little, but we'll see what happens in the next one.

As usual, I'll update when I have more time. My workload tends to swing up and down so I can't be sure when the new chapter will arrive.

Please review if you can!

Bye Bye!