Chapter 4
Dark eyes bore holes into the ceiling, sleep long forgotten. His mind brewed with trouble.
Flashback:
Quietness enveloped the brothers as they went down the stairs and it bothered him. He knew Itachi had something to say yet he uttered not a word. At the last step they came face to face with the red haired whom he had long since pushed aside.
The trio stood still, staring at each other before Gaara walked past the brothers.
"Oy." he muttered and the red haired stopped in his tracks, not looking back. He meant to utter thanks - a grateful platitude of sorts but nothing came.
"Hn." the red haired proceeded up
"Who was that?" Itachi asked, eyes following the shadow.
"The neighbor." was the only comment before he walked into the car
End
Annoyed and ruffled, he sat up, slowly moving toward the bathroom. Washing his face, he stared into the mirror, room still dark, the slightest ray of sunrise peeking through the curtains. The flight was in two hours, and his brother's words kept ringing through his head.
"I can go in your stead. Stay with her longer."
"Hn." he stared at the suitcase. Work had to be done.
~.~.~
Everyone had returned home and she was alone yet again. It had been no big deal before the afternoon's get together, now howver, the loneliness crept harder alone. Feeling the island for the wrapped box of cookies, she held the handles and moved to the door. The cuckoo bird popped out, it's loud ring temporarily unsettling her. Six p.m. Not late yet she felt great anxiety. His strong voice of anger played in her mind.
Taking a deep breath of courage she pulled the door, fingers grazing the wall till she felt the cool feel of a knob. Knocking lightly she braced herself for his temper but instead was met with a female voice.
"Hello?"
"Oh , hi." she bowed, a blush building on her features as she realized she knew nothing about the person that saved her. Not his face, his name - just that he helped her.
"Can I help you?" the voice came again, curiosity enlaced with annoyance
"Ano, I came to gi-give this to the person who helped m-me." she uttered so fast it took a bit to comprehend.
"Hm, could you be more specific?"
Hinata wallowed deeper into the day's sadness. The frustration of not being able to see, take in the sights she once enjoyed, and at times like this, provide an accurate description broke her.
"Temari," the voice came from behind, she recognized its coldness though it wasn't as harsh. "You."
"Ano," she blushed, stretching her hand with the package, as she bowed, "arigato."
"Mm, how are you?" he crossed his arms, leaning on the door. Temari looked between them, examining the interaction.
"He has a girlfriend." she rolled her eyes at the blunette, ready to slam the door on the confounded girl.
"She is engaged," he pointed at the beautifully encrusted ring that sat on her left index. Pushing past his sister to grab the box. "How are your wounds?" he inquired nonchalantly, opening the box and tasting the tangy pastry.
"It's better, thank you again." she whispered, embarrassment still present in her voice.
"So you really can't see?" he bent to her eye level, examining her eyes.
"You can't see?" Temari pushed past her brother, holding her by the shoulder and looking in her eyes. She began to realize this is probably what animals felt like in zoos and aquariums. She felt less human and more of an endangered test subject.
"Hai."
"Wow, it must be difficult." the blonde sighed before leaving her. "Well, I made soup and this idiot won't eat it. Are you hungry? Must be. How do you eat?" she mumbled, dragging her into their home, with Gaara following behind downing another cookie.