Hey guys! Here comes chapter three! I know it took me a long time, but finallly I could finish it.
Some important things:
From now on this thing goes more and more into the GH stuff. It will also have, in future chapters, Naruto being an ass. I'm just telling you because if you can't stand any of this now it's the time to go back to where you came.
Also, you'll have to deal with some OOCness... it's totally necessary for the plot.
You have been warned.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it's characters, jutsu or locations.
3
Usually, a top ranking ninja would take about ten days from Kirigakure to Konoha, in a moderate pace. Traveling such a distance with a pregnant woman was totally different.
The Sand Siblings were incredible understanding with her. When she had timidly explained Temari and Kankuro about her condition, they were really supportive, as much as Gaara. They decided to go a little slower, specially not the strain the Hyuuga. Also, because they learned that she wouldn't complain if they were going too fast.
They were used to run. In the desert, you have to be. Sandstorms were frequent, and the desert, harsh. Also, the great extensions of sand make it easy to be spotted by an enemy.
They realized they had to slow down my the end of the first day. They were almost in the port (they would go to Fire Country by water) when Hinata fainted from exhaustion. She was utterly embarrassed, of course, and refused any help.
So, Gaara, calmly, decided that he would carry her in his sand. The girl started to protest, but he gave her one of his 'the Kazekage demands' looks and she gave in.
The ship trip was awful.
Hinata had been very ill. She had frequent nausea, and vomited a lot. Shed barely ate, or slept.
Temari and Kankurou pitied her. Poor girl was alone, pregnant, and her family wouldn't accept it.
The Hyuuga were a great powerful clan, noble even, but they were very traditional and archaic. As Hinata explained, she couldn't be a single mom. If the father of the baby didn't accept her and the child, she'd have to leave.
Gaara was more than ready to give her home and protection in Sunagakure. He seemed to like her polite and gentle manners, and was also sad by her difficult situation. Also, the idea of her marring a guy that didn't love her made him disgusted. She was a really nice girl, and deserved more than that. In his opinion, she deserved a man that would devote himself to her and her happiness.
This statement had shocked Gaara siblings. He was very private about his opinions on things, and people. But he always gave his sincere opinion about anything, and if he'd said something like that he really meant it.
Strange things started to pass through their minds.
"What if he likes her?" Kankurou had asked his sister, just after they reached the coast.
"I don't know. We can't be certain. He'd never done anything like this before" she motioned to the duo in front of them. Gaara was holding Hinata's hand, clearly in an attempt to help her out of the ship. Not that he wouldn't help other people, but the way he was touching her was... very weird.
It didn't seem impersonal and distant like always. This was intimate touch. He was holding her hand because he wanted to. Because he liked to.
X
Hinata could kiss the sacred soil of Fire Country. She would make a promise to herself that she would never travel by ship again, but she couldn't. With her life as a ninja, it was possible that she would need to do this again.
She felt Gaara's hand touch her as she sighed. The Kazekage had been amazing with her. He'd proven to be a very sensitive and considerate person, helping her through her sickness, even if he was not feeling very well himself.
She was so embarrassed. She was always weak, always a burden. How could Naruto ever love her? She was so undeserving of his attention and friendship. And she would burden him with a child. Oh,Hinata, you're so useless.
She didn't realized she was crying, until a very worried Gaara stepped in front of her.
"Are you feeling well?"
She nodded yes, but that didn't seem to appease him. He immediately asked his brother to look for a place to eat and rest. He'd only leave the small port city they arrived when Hinata was feeling well.
X
They stayed in a small but comfortable inn. A light dinner was served, and they were preparing to sleep.
They didn't want to admit that but this pause would do good for all of them. The Sand Siblings were not used to travel by ship either, and a little time to recover from the troublesome trip would be nice.
Gaara didn't sleep. He'd spent so many years of his life avoiding it that now he rarely needed to do it. That was good, because his days were always full of work.
This night he didn't want to sleep. He wanted to look at the beautiful Hyuuga girl, wondering, who was this man that she loved. He had his suspicions, of course, but he wouldn't ask. She was such a lovely person. How could Naruto (if his suspicions were right) not to love her. He already felt all weird about Hinata, like some supernatural power was pulling him towards her.
Why doesn't Naruto love her? She's so amazing.He was mesmerized by her. Not only her exotic beauty, but the sweetness of her personality that was so enchanting.
As she slept, Gaara took in her figure: her glossy midnight hair, her fair skin, often red in the cheeks, the soft curve of her lips, the tip of her tiny nose. If she were awake, he would se her big pearl-like eyes, so beautiful, so enchanting. He couldn't help sitting close to her, close enough to smell her scent. She smelled of jasmines, and that was something he really enjoyed. And the moon, oh, the moon, it was making her fair skin look so amazing, glowing, ethereal.
He was so distracted by these thoughts that he didn't realized that she was awake. She was looking at him, too. But her mind was not on him. It was on the small life she was carrying, so pure and innocent, and its fate.
What would she do if Naruto didn't accept her? She'd have to think of something. Hinata looked at Gaara, he seemed lost in thought. He said he would help her. She didn't want to impose, but what could she do? She has to think of her baby first. And if she could give him or her a safe life in the Village of Sand, then she would gladly do it.
All she would need was a plan.
X
What Temari and Kankurou didn't notice was that they were being followed. As an important political and military figure, Gaara never traveled alone. But the Hyuuga was also a very important person of the Fire Country, and it should be obvious that, if she was traveling without the necessary protection, something was very wrong.
Just when this thought crossed Temari's mind, Gaara froze, and Hinata assumed a defensive posture, Byakugan active. Immediately, she and Kankurou got ready for the fight.
"There are five coming from the East, and three from the West. Two are placed on trees, North and South. "The tiny voice of the Hyuuga spoke. "Chunnin and Jounin level."
It ended as fast as it had started. The group was surprised by the powerful presence of the Kazekage, and tried to run. Too bad for them, Gaara was good, too good. Barely a minute had passed, all of the supposed bandits were captured.
Interrogated, they didn't reveal much. Apparently, they were working for a very powerful shinobi, that was paying an enormous amount of money for anyone that captured, alive, Hinata Hyuuga of Konoha.
After that, mysteriously, the shinobi died. In horror, Hinata realized that they had a secret seal placed on them, and said seal melted their brains a few moments after their leaking of information. Immediately, she started to cry, and Gaara hurried to try to console her, leaving Temari and Kankuro to deal with the mess.
After that, they ran.
X
They arrived in Konoha in a very good time. But, as Hinata was feeling a little ill, she crossed the gates leaning on Gaara for support. The guards on the gates looked a little alarmed, but the Kazegake assured them that the Hyuuga was fine, that she just needed a little rest. Izumo wanted to escort them to the Hogake tower, but again Gaara had declined. He wanted to take Hinata home, then make sure she would have some rest. Naruto could wait.
Hinata and Gaara had spent some time talking about what the Hyuuga would do about her future. She told him about her fears, and what her clan would do if they found out she was pregnant. Gaara was not amused. The Hyuuga were proud, and some like this could "stain the honor of the clan", as the timid woman had mentioned. Not that he was worried about that, or they. His concern was for Hinata, and he was really glad when she told him she would accept his offer for help, if necessary.
Gaara had much to do. He'd spend only three days in Konoha, and along with all the meeting he had to attend, he still needed to put in motion his plan for Hinata.
His decision to take her home - even if he was he one visiting Konoha - was vital part of his plan.
X
Hiashi was surprised by what he saw. Entering the Hyuuga compound was no other that the Kazekage himself.
The Hyuuga servants started to rush, in a frenzy to get a meeting room ready, prepare tea and other things to make the red haired man - and his siblings - comfortable during whatever they needed to do in the compound.
Gaara stopped in front of the clan leader, and bowed respectfully, Hiashi mimicking the gesture. He was definitely honored to have such an respectable figure visiting his home, for whatever reason he was there.
"Hyuuga-sama, is a pleasure to meet you" the young man started "I'm sorry for coming without a proper announcement. I am here because I have to ask you a favor." he continued, trying to get to the point without being too obvious or rude.
"It's a pleasure to assist you in whatever you need, Kazekage-sama" Hiashi responded, surprised. He had no idea of what Gaara could need from him, or his clan, but was pleased to be asked anyway. After the war, the inter-village interactions were frequent, and Kohona-Suna was by far the most common of them. It was normal to have joint missions, teacher-student interchange and all sort of Hyuuga clan benefited from the commerce - the civil activity of the clan, and its dealings with Suna had been, so far, successful.
"Good. Could we talk in private? It's a delicate matter" Gaara surprised the older man again. What was it that he needed to discuss in private? It must be something really important.
Temari and Kankuro were led to a waiting room, from where they could see the Hyuuga training courts. They were surprised by what they saw, such amazing discipline and technique were displyed by the ninjas.
Hiashi politely asked Gaara to accompany him, and they both settled in a small room.
X
Hinata made her way to her bedroom, a lot of thoughts crossing her mind. She needed to talk to Naruto, and decide what to do.
Bus she was afraid.
What would he say... what would he do? She knew that she needed a father to her baby. If Naruto didn't want it, then she was bound to leave.
And she didn't want that.
Of course, she was very grateful to Gaara and his siblings, for being so amazing with her. They had accepted her, and her condition without making questions, and she really appreciated that. But, as nice as they may be, they were not her friends, nor her family. She wanted to share her pregnancy with her beloved ones, not in a foreign village with strange people, even if they were nice and she was protected.
But if Naruto refused her... that was exactly what she would do.
Her head spinning, she turned to leave. The sooner she talked to the blond, the better.
X
Life as Hokage was busy, and very, very stressful. There was a lot to be done, a lot to be thought of, and his thoughts were more and more confusing.
Yes, he was thinking about Hinata... And what the hell Gaara was doing in her house, when the red head was supposed to be talking with him.
He couldn't believe when he received the report about the attack, and the fact that Tsunade had sent the poor girl alone in a long-term mission. But he was really mad that he was informed of this only when the white-eyed beauty entered Konoha being intimately held by his Sunese1 friend.
That was...confusing.
And also, there were the other issues on his Hokage life, that was really busy. He was so tired, so stressed and so alone. He was happy that his dream had finally came true, but at the same time it was so oppressing.
The door to his office opened suddenly, a hysteric nin walking through it. "Hokage-sama! There's an emergency!"
With a sigh, Naruto stood up from his chair, and left.
X
"How can I help you, Kazekage-sama?
"I'd like to talk about your daughter, Hyuuga-sama."
The leader Hyuuga just nodded, waiting for the younger man to proceed. The red haired man expression was solemn, his eyes were serious and concerned, and a light frown appeared in his features.
He had no idea of what the Kazekage wanted to talk about, but he was sure it was no minor deal.
"Hyuuga-sama, you are aware that your daughter was the one that escorted me from Kiri to Konoha.", he waited for Hiashi to nod his understanding, and then continued. "It all went well, until we realized we were being followed. We fought them, and after some interrogation it was stated that they were after your heir, Hinata."
Hiashi's eyes widened at this. It was true that the shinobi world was in peace, but that thought that someone going so aggressively after his daughter was really socking. The Kages have been working hard to keep the shinobi world a safer place, and their efforts were showing.
A new threat to Hinata... was really something scaring...
"She had been traveling alone for a month and a half. This people, whoever they are, had not spotted her before we left Kiri. And obviously, they are bold, or stupid enough to attack her in the presence of a Kage and his escorts. It was a foolish act, and their foolishness had a price."
"They're dead", Hiashi stated, simply.
"Yes. I had a complete report written and sent to the Hokage, and I will sent it to the other Kages was well... However... I'm not here only to inform you of this."
"What are you here for? If you didn't come here to tell me about the incident, what are your reasons?" Hiashi asked with narrowed eyes... What was the Kazekage up to?
"I'm here to take Hinata-san to Suna with me."
That's about it guys... I have already started Chapter 4, but I don't know when I'll have the time to finish it. I'm graduating at college and my final project is eating me.
Also, I don't need anyone questioning my sanity, I already know I'm insane.
Review?
Hugs, Dani