Hinata stared at him and held back a new arising giggle. Was he trying to ask her to stay with him for a while longer without actually saying it? He glared at the space where papers should have been on his desk, assumable thinking of what to do. She stepped forward and picked up a book from the shelf.

"May I?" She asked. He looked up at her and the book and nodded with relief coming to his shoulders.

Hinata moved over to a small couch that looked quite used. She down and curled her legs under her. It smelled overwhelmingly like him. The idea that this is likely where he slept more so than his bed worried her. She glanced up at him as he dove back into his work. She rubbed her eyes as she looked down at the book she picked up. To her delight, it was a Suna history book.

Gaara flipped through some more irritating paperwork until he heard a light thump. He looked over to where his fiancee had curled up on his couch. The book from her lap was now closed on the cushion in front of her curled form. She had fallen asleep in his office. She had fallen asleep with him in the room. He still amazed him how comfortable she felt around him. His siblings still gave him sideways glances before they slept in the same camp.

She was genuinely innocent.

He looked at the time. When did she go to bed? She got up as early as he did, and she would require more sleep. Did he keep her up? Did she plan to go to bed when she ended their walk? He should have let her go. He was selfish, wanting her presence longer. He closed his folder and stood, crossing the room toward her.

He reached forward and then stopped. When did he start so freely touching her? She didn't seem to mind it, but he should be careful. He looked down at her limp hands. He put his hand over hers and moved it.

She jumped, opening her large white eyes and blinking at him. A light sleeper, he noted.

She looked at him and down at her book. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on your couch." She scrambled to sit up.

"You should have said you were tired." He commented.

"I wasn't." She yawned, betraying what she said. "I'm fine." She mumbled, picking back up her book.

"You may resume later. You should go to bed." He took the book from her fingers as he pulled back to sit on his desk. She blinked at him and nodded, getting up.

"Sorry." She mumbled again, bowing as she left. Why was she apologizing?

Hinata looked at the papers in her lap. "I think this is more acceptable than the last one." She commented on being careful to read the fine print. "Though the Hyuga will add more and will likely want to have a small compound in Suna."

"We can't afford to build them one," Temari mumbled.

"Oh, the Hyuga won't ask that. They will want to fund it. It's partially a wealth display, partly, and needs to keep their secrets." She explained. "Right now, I am unprotected and unsealed. I am a liability."

Temari looked at her with a crinkled nose and crossed arms. "I don't get it."

"The purpose of the branch house is to protect the main house. The purpose of the main house is to protect our secrets." She started. "The seals are a way to protect the secrets. Stay just that."

"What do the seals do exactly?" Temari asked.

"Horrible things, they can cause extreme pain and even death. The idea is if a Hyuga tries to attack the main house, leave, or is captured, the Byakugan they carry can be destroyed." She clenched her fist in her lap and controlled her temper.

"That's sick." Temari grimaced.

Hinata nodded. "However, it has kept us and our secrets safe for generations, and the elders show no signs of finding other solutions. So they will want branch members close by me since I do not hold a seal."

Temari moaned, leaning back in his chair. "You come with a lot of politics, you know that?" She whined.

Hinata giggled at her behavior.

Temari stretched, then suddenly got up. "If you think it's good to send, for now, we will send it. We should go have a break. You think you could go sweet talk Gaara into picking out wedding robes."

"Shouldn't we make an appointment?" Hinata mumbled as Temari pulled her up, taking the papers away.

"We are right now." Temari pushed her down the hall toward his office, knocking before unceremoniously shoving her in.

She stumbled in, looking up as he gazed on her non-eyebrow lifted.

She backed toward the door, embarrassed as he examined her.

"Temari-san would appreciate it if you come help with wedding planning today." She spit out, looking at the tips of her shoes.

"She wants me to ignore my duties." He asked with a sigh.

She nodded and added. "Just for a little while, for robes." She mumbled. She cringed, waiting for irritation and more so for him to send her out to disappoint his sister. Instead, she heard him sigh, and his folder closed. She looked up to see him stand, rubbing his temples as he came around his desk.

"I suggested an appointment." She defended quickly.

He continued toward her. "Do you want me to present?"

She stared up at him for a moment and nodded. She didn't want to do this alone. Temari could be overwhelming beyond belief. She would gladly take his support. However, he had work. "But I can do it on my own, I'm sure." She twirled her ring behind her back.

He examined her silently for a moment, then reached for the doorknob around her waist. She jumped out of his way as he opened the door to his sister. She waited against the opposite wall.

"You should give me your messages yourself, Temari." He scolded half-heartedly.

"You would tell me no." She crossed her arms.

"He hasn't agreed," Hinata mumbled.

"Yes, he has. Let's go." She pushed off the wall heading down the hallway.

Hinata looked up at him, confused as he too headed down the hall. Temari poked her head in an office Hinata didn't recognize and told them the Kazekage would be out for a while.

Hinata reached forward to feel the fabric. They were all gorgeous.

"Which is your favorite?" Temari asked, holding out the three bright accent fabrics.

"Do we both have to wear the same color?" Hinata wondered.

"No, it's usually easier that way, but you can choose a color for each. Why?" Temari set them down with the others.

"Well, it's just that Gaara and I don't match as it is, so finding a fabric that fits us both would be difficult to find." Hinata picked up a bright red sash that matched his hair and held it up to him. He watched her with some interest. "I like this one for him, but red is strong for me. They always kept it out of my wardrobe at home."

"What for you then," Temari asked, looking back through the bright fabrics. Hinata was torn. She liked all the colorful opitions, but she knew none of them would flatter her. She wouldn't mind usually, but she wasn't just representing herself anymore.

Gaara skimmed the room and stepped past her and the fabrics. He moved over to another rack picking a light fabric up, holding it up for them to see.

"Matte lavender?" Temari asked. "It fits, but I've never seen mattes in a wedding robe sash." Temari picked up the fabric, holding it up to Hinata, who instinctively strained. "Matches your eyes."

Hinata blushed.

"I think it's perfect. We should bring you with us for more of this." Temari commented.

Gaara didn't seem to like the idea as his face scrunched in distaste. Hinata covered her mouth to hide a giggle.

"Did you want a white robe then? Hinata, a tribute to your home traditions." Temari asked as she folded the two fabrics they had picked.

"Uh, that's not necessary." Hinata waved her hands.

"What does that mean anyway." Temari wondered if Gaara gave her a look of added interest as Hinata cringed.

"Purity of virtue."