Huh…well I believe that chapter went rather well, don't you people? I think that one was my personal favorite. Not the beginning but the ending with Temari…She's such a good big sister. Very much unlike me if my little brother asked me that, I would probably say "Shut up- Go away" or something along those lines. But, I believe Temari understands that Gaara has a certain condition that was imprinted on him the second he was born. From there, he was taught that he was unloved and hated by everyone and used only as an asset to the nation. (where as, my little bro's only condition was that he born with an overwhelming amount of annoyingness and stupidity.) Anywho…I just thought I'd express my feelings about that chapter and uhh…ASK FOR MORE REVIEWS! PLEASE!

Permission and Beautifulness

Next morning (The day of mission debriefing.)

Hinata woke up rather late that morning due to the late night out she had previously. She sat up with a start and remembered the spat she had with her parents. Apparently, they were quite angry about the fact that she had walked out of the middle of the conversation, went wandering out into the night, and came back home only well after midnight. But an argument wasn't going to stop her. Maybe it would have before she felt so strongly about someone, but not now…her heart was set. And, not to mention, a part of it was in the very protective safe keeping of a certain heartless, ruthless killer who happened to love her. Ok, I better go to Hokage-sama's temple before she gets to busy.

She got dressed in semi-formal attire and left the house silently so she wouldn't have to suffer through another pointless encounter with her heated parents. As she walked by the great tree that stood protectively over the secret trail, she couldn't help but smile. She knew that Gaara wouldn't be there, but if she had really needed him there…at this moment…he would've been waiting, as always. She finally made it to the temple in about half an hours time and knocked to enter. She heard Tsunade's voice say "Yes? Come in." and Hinata obliged.

"Hyuga Hinata. To what do I owe this visit?" the beautiful Hokage said noticing who had appeared. She rested her hands comfortably under her chin and a lazy mild expression spread itself across her face. Hinata had to admit that for being in the presence of the Hokage, something about Tsunade made you feel calmer and more relaxed.

"Umm…well, I came here to ask about the Chuunin Guard that's accompanying the Kazekage." she very quietly said.

Obviously, Tsunade heard her answer very clearly and responded "What did you want to ask?" while lazily looking out the window.

"I, uhh…I want to be apart of it."

Tsunade looked back at her and said "As you know, there is only one person per each chuunin team that is needed to go. I thought Kiba was representing your team."

"Y-Yes." Hinata started "I asked Kiba if I could go in his stead and he agreed. Now all I need is your permission."

"And also the permission of your parents, Hinata. I have heard that they are quite protective of you. Although I can't understand why. I mean, if they were that concerned about you getting hurt, then why in the world would they have supported you becoming a ninja…especially after what happened to your sister?" Tsunade asked, not expecting an answer. She sighed and then something came to her mind. "Why is it you want to go suddenly?" she questioned.

Hinata had a feeling that this question would arise somewhere in this conversation. Never the less it didn't make the answer any easier to say. With some difficulty and many pauses, she told the Hokage everything that she had said to Kiba-kun.

…and the Hokage had the same reaction of a stunned silence, only not as long. She had been watching all the young couples blossom and fall in love. She understood it to be a phase that all teenagers went through. All of them wanting someone to protect and be protected by. But the last person she expected to fall in love was Gaara, the Kazekage- her emotionless equal. And the second to last person, timid and quiet Hinata. And they fell in love together…Heh, what won't I see next?

Tsunade laughed and shook her head in bewilderment. She confided "Well, Hinata. I give you permission to go with the Guard, and I give you and the Kazekage my dearest wishes together…but that still doesn't overcome the obstacle of your parents."

Hinata looked away puzzled and murmered "T-thank you, but how did you know that they had said "no" already?"

"They did, didn't they?" Tsunade asked and Hinata slowly nodded confused. The Hokage laughed again and said "It was just a guess…based on what I know of them and the way you spoke of them when you came in. Heheh."

"Ohh…well, yes. Umm, I thought it would be best if…" Hinata started.

But Tsunade cut her off "if I asked them again for you?" Hinata nodded again. "Very well." Tsunade said with an exaggerated sigh. She was having fun making sarcastic sounds, acting like the request was much larger than it really was. "Would you like me to summon them here or do you really want to make me to get out of this lovely chair and go to your residence all the way on the other side of the village and question them?" she added with a smirk.

"I-I will bring them here right away!" Hinata nervously and quickly said while backing towards the door. "Thank you, Hokage-sama! Thank you!" Tsunade saw the door close and smiled. Ah, young love.

Once again, about an hour later, Tsunade heard the same knock upon her great door. "Come in."

Hinata entered first followed closely by her confused looking father, and then by her nervous and puzzled mother. When all was situated and the door was closed again, the three of them bowed low in respect. "Greetings Hokage-sama." they said in unison.

"Welcome, and welcome back, Hinata." she said with another smirk to lighten the atmosphere. "Now, I believe I should leave it to Hinata to explain why we are here this beautiful afternoon."

Hinata took a deep breath while moving to sit in an awaiting chair. "Well, umm…first I want to say that I'm sorry, Mother…and Father for making you angry. But, I want to go on the mission. I thought it necessary for the Hokage to become involved because…well, because you wouldn't listen to me or understand me." She looked up at Tsunade for support.

Tsunade cleared her throat and said "Is that all, Hinata?"

Hinata light lavender eyes shied away again. "Yes." She looked at her parents hopefully.

Tsunade shook her head in frustration but she could understand Hinata's feelings about not wanting to tell her dearest secrets to anyone who asked. She felt that the right thing to do would be to tell them for her…either way, they needed some more persuasion. "Well, I'm afraid there is more to add." she looked at Hinata's parents seriously. "Hinata has taken quite a liking to the Kazekage. I mean that to say Hinata has expressed to me that she has fallen in love with him and wishes to accompany him back to his home." Tsunade had a feeling what was coming next.

"Absolutely not!" her father cried. "Hinata, have you forgotten what they had done to your sister? Mutilated her, that's what! And you say you love this assailant?"

"Hinabi got what she deserved!" Hinata defensively retorted. "She was acting as a spy for the sound. The sand did what had to be done, regardless of her being your precious daughter!" She should have been scared, she knew it. But she was unrelenting. "Just because of her mistakes, don't you dare think that I should suffer her consequences." She stood up taking many deep breaths. "And it wasn't Gaara who did it. That I can tell you for certain, so you can't make the consequence fall on him either."

Her parents were just as shocked as Tsunade at her remarkable outburst. Tsunade had known that it was going to have to be said, but she had no idea Hinata would be the one to say it…and express it with such passion and nerve. Once again Tsunade cleared her throat to break the stunned silence. "What Hinata said is true. The body of Hinabi was given back to your family in perfect condition other than stab behind her neck. She died a painless and instant death, which was more that I would have given her, I assure you. Her betraying the village and her family was not your fault, believe me. She had just taken a wrong turn in life and very unfortunately, that mistake took her life away. There is nothing you could have done and there is nothing you can do now...besides give your living and loving daughter the freedom she deserves." Tsunade concluded.

Wiping a tear from her eye, Hinata's mother began "We will always trust Hinata. We know and believe that she would never do what Hinabi committed. That's not the reason we are reluctant to let her go."

"W-We are concerned for her safety, Hokage-sama!" her father added. "We don't want to lose another daughter. We want to see her grow into a happy woman. That is the only thing in this world that would please us now."

Hinata, tears streaming down her cheek as well, said "What will make me happy now, father, is you letting me go with him."

There was a very long moment of silence while all 4 of them exchanged glances. Hinata and Tsunade worriedly looking at each other and Hinata's parents silently pondering the request.

"And, if it is my safety that you are concerned about," Hinata softly added "then you need not worry. I believe I have spent enough time with Gaara, and he would not stand for any harm coming upon me…he would protect me for as long as he lived."

Silence again. There was a slight nod from Hinata's mother and her father spoke first. "Very well, Hinata. If it is for your happiness that you two wish to be together, then you may go. I now believe that you are right in the case of your sister's death…the sand had no choice and it was for the sake of Konoha, my country that I loyally stand behind. Hokage-sama's judgment was correct as well in bring this to our knowledge…I was to blind by grief and regret to understand it, and… see you, Hinata, as my only daughter."

Hinata could not explain the joy she felt in words…petty words couldn't express it enough. She sprung into her fathers arms and kissed him continuously on the cheek thanking him over and over again. After she was done with him, she leapt into an embrace with her crying mother.

"Good luck with the mission, dear. Who would have known…my daughter together with the Kazekage." she wispered smiling.

Tsunade looked on as a witness simply smiling at the family bond, now connected tighter than ever. "Yes, well. As the Hokage of this village, I have other important engagements to attend and matters to see to…Hinata, I will see you this afternoon. Farewell 'til then."

And with that, the Hyuga family left out the door. Hinata knew what she was going to do. "Mother, Father…I have something I must see to!"

"Alright, dear…be home for supper."

Hinata loved having the family back together again…just like when Hinabi was alive. She ran as fast as she could towards the guest temple. That should be where he is staying. Her mind was so cluttered with so many emotions and she ran around a corner smack! into a baffled Temari. Hinata being out of breath, could barely speak. Temari, however knew what she was going to ask.

"He's on the roof."

Hinata nodded and uttered "Thanks" and caught the slight smile spreading on Temari's lips as she sprinted away once again.

She went to the entrance of the temple only to find it locked. Not having a clue how do get up the 4 story temple, Hinata took this time thinking to catch her breath. There was no ladder around the whole building and she wondered how Gaara even got up. She figured she would just have to scale the wall. She summoned chakura to her hands and to her toes and began to climb. It wasn't that difficult but it took total concentration. Concentration, which her mind greatly lacked at the moment. She was very close to the top when the beaded bracelet made it's way onto her palm, making her loose her grip. She started to slip when a figure heroically appeared above her. He gracefully reached down and grabbed her flailing hand and easily pulled her the rest of the way up onto the roof. Once Hinata had found her balance once again, she realized that Gaara had already walked quite smoothly over the width of the roof- and resumed staring out over the village. She shuffled awkwardly and stood up straight when she was standing right next to him.

"Two more days…and then good-bye, right?" he stated, not looking at her. She noted a slight glare returning to his eyes and a scowl forming on his lips.

She smirked "Well, if you put it in that tone then I would be more than glad to say good-bye to you in two days."

Gaara turned to look at her so fast in suprise that he lost his footing and was headed down the slant of the roof; only to be steadied by her hand on his wobbly shoulder keeping his balance. He felt stupid in his predicament and at his actions but was relieved none the less. She was coming.

He saw her beautiful smile and he climbed back up. They both sat down together and Hinata explained all that had taken place that morning.

He didn't show it, he didn't know how to show it; But he was thrilled beyond comprehension.

It was the total opposite for Hinata. She smiled and laughed each opportunity she got…and at some moments she did it when a smile and a laugh weren't even needed. Going on the mission might not extend their relationship much longer, but the more time they had together was bliss and each moment of it counted. They would figure out something later. They stayed together up on that roof until it was time to go to the meeting. Gaara was not needed at meeting so he said he was going to stay.

"Alright. It's probably best that the others don't see us together just yet."

Not understanding but giving in to her all the same, he nodded. She turned to leave and made it as far as the edge when she heard the most beautiful phrase in her life; said by the most beautiful person she had ever seen who had the most beautiful voice she had ever heard.

"H-Hinata?…I love you, too."