Disclaimer : Naruto / Naruto Shippudden does not belong to me.
Choosing A Bride: Chapter 2
Gaara sigh a relief once the last batch of guests had left. He had never felt more relived than today that his engagement ceremony - with his now fiancee Hinata - was over. If he had a choice he would not want to go through the engagement ceremony. The preparations were too troublesome but he had too since the Hyugaa were a conservative clan whom uphold the importance of traditions. Most of the guests have already left. Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro and Baki were the only one who stayed, aside from the other Hyugaa household.
He had waited six months for the engagement since that night. It wasn't easy to convince the council and elders of Konoha to get Hinata to be his bride because she was the one to be the rightful Heir. It took him two months of negotiations between councils, Hokage-sama and Hiashi-sama. And when all methods seems futile, he had no choice but to use the 'small black book' method. He raised the issue of the Hyugaa clan when Hinata was once deemed unfit to be the Heir, simply because she was seen weak in Hiashi-sama's eyes and Hiashi had then decided that Hanabi would take place. He simply had reasoned with them that they would not loose anything if Hinata were to marry him since they do have someone as competent to be heir. Furthermore, it would be in good words for the Hyugaa clan that the marriage was for Konoha.
Gaara looked around for his fiancee and he found her sending off a guest, bowing politely as she said her thanks. She than made her way to the other end of the room towards Neji and held a conversation with him. She was wearing a silk white kimono with embroidered purple and pink flowers. Her hair was tied up to frame her face and eyes. She even had her make up on for the ceremony. She was soft spoken and polite throughout the ceremony. Even her movement were graceful and demure that one would not have thought that she was a kunoichi.
Gaara made his way towards them. "I think I'll take my leave now, Hinata-sama" Neji nodded at Gaara when he saw Gaara approaching, and left giving them the privacy they needed.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Gaara commented when he noticed that Hinata was looking up at the sky.
"Yes it is." She turn her head towards him and gave him a smile. He smiled back in return. "You should smile more." She continued. "It makes your eyes shine. Just like the moon." And she lowered her head trying to hide the blush that crept up her cheeks.
"Thank you." No one had ever spoke of his eyes like Hinata did.
"Would you like to take a walk around the garden Gaara?" she offered. Her fingers fondled, a habit of hers when she's too shy or nervous.
"I'd love too." He stepped back so that she could lead him.
The walk was quiet, but both were contented with the silence they shared. They reached at one of the pavilion by the pond. Hinata sat on the low stone bench at the edge of the pavilion, took off her shoe and dipped her feet inside the water. Gaara took a seat beside her, looking at the koi that swam around her feet.
"Don't you want to try?" inquired Hinata.
"I don't quite like water." Gaara stated. "It makes my sand heavy." And he thought he saw a mischief glint in her eyes, and he couldn't help but to ask, "What is it?"
"Ano..." she blushed. "Don't you..." she had her hands on her lips "bathe, shower or soak in a hot spring?" and she turn her head away from him.
The question was unexpected. "Of- of course I do." He stuttered a bit. "It just -"
"Oh there you are!" Temari interrupted, her hands clinging onto Shikamaru's arm "I hope we are not interrupting anything important." A smile formed on her lips.
"Oh no. Not at all Temari-san" Hinata was on her feet, Gaara stood beside her.
"Neh. Neh. Temari will do. We'll be related soon" She beamed. "Well, we just wanted to tell you that we are going home." Temari explained. "And thanks for lending me the Kimono for tonight's occasion Hinata."
"You're welcome."
"Well I guess we better get going." Shikamaru said. They exchanged goodbyes and left the newly engaged couple. Gaara watched at the two retreating figures, fingers linked together and Shikamaru gave a peck on Temari's cheek. He would love to do that with Hinata someday. The first time he held her hands was on that night when. But it was just a friendly gesture. He don't know when the second time would be. But he will wait patiently till they are comfortable with each other. Hinata stifled a yawn.
"Let's get back to the main house." Gaara stepped forward, waiting for her to move. "It's time for me to make my move too. And you look like you need much rest."
While on the way back, Hinata asked, "Do you sleep Gaara?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?" He wondered.
"Your eyes..." she trailed, her fingers held together. She wondered if it was rude to ask. Or would he take offense to her question.
"When Shukaku was in me, I wasn't allowed to sleep as it would take over my body." He glanced at her. "That explains the black ring around my eyes. Even thou I'm able to sleep well now, it doesn't disappear. This is permanently part of me." He tucked his hands into his coat. He wondered if the black rings around his eyes made him look intimidating and causes people to be wary of him. "I think that's what make me look unapproachable and intimidating."
"I think it's nice." her voice was small but enough to be heard. "It somehow defines the color of your eyes. Aquamarine" she defined the color of his eyes, "And- and it goes well with your red hair." She blushed. "I think it suits you just fine." He couldn't help but smile, for she had noticed him.
They reached the main house and saw Kankuro and Baki were waiting. "Are you done with your romantic walk? We have been waiting for quite a while" Kankuro teased his brother.
"We weren't gone long." Gaara glared at him.
Kankuro looked at Gaara and bit his lips. He casually lean against the wooden pillar and looked up the sky. "Yeah, couples in love always think they weren't gone missing for long." He never bothered to hide his grin. Hinata blushed at what Kankuro had said. Gaara glared at him harder.
"You shouldn't be making Gaara agitated Kankuro-san" Baki intervene. "He might just kill you someday if you go overboard."
"Iie. He won't" He idily waved his hand. "With Hinata-sama here..." he regard her with respect, afterall she was suppose to be the Hyugaa heiress and soon to be the Kazekage's wife"... he won't." His grin got wider and looked at the blushing bride-to-be. "My future sister-in-law would make sure that won't happen. Am I right Hinata-sama?" He didn't bother to look at Gaara. He didn't need to know his answers either.
"Shouldn't we be going now?" Gaara interrupt before Kankuro could tease both of them further.
Kankuro was about to say something when Baki interrupted. "Yes we should." He turned towards Hinata and gave her a bow. "We'll be taking our leave Hinata-sama"
Hinata see them out to the gates of the Hyugaa compound and she realize that the sedan chair that carried Gaara to her place wasn't there. Baki noticed thus he explained. "They left first. Gaara think it wouldn't be necessary for him to be carried back. We'll just walk."
Gaara turned to towards Hinata to say his goodbye when Kankuro interrupted. "Baki and I will wait for you over there." He pointed to end of picket fences of the Hyugaa's perimeter. "We'll giving you some space, ne." And he winked at Gaara before walking off with Baki.
"Couldn't you just leave him be?" Baki casually asked once he was sure they wouldn't be heard, with his hands in his pocket.
"It's too fun to be NOT doing that." Kankuro scratched his head. Baki sighed.
Gaara watched the two as they made their way to the other end of the picket fences. He turn his head to his fiancee. "I apologize for Kankuro's behavior. He can be very annoying."
"Oh. It's okay." she smiled and blushed at him. They were silent for a while.
"I'll be going back to Suna at the end of this week." He solemnly spoke, casting his eyes just above Hinata's right shoulder.
"So soon? I thought you'd be around for at least another week." Her hands placed neatly in front of her.
"Ah." He nodded. "There are still plenty of paperwork to be done in Suna." Hinata nodded in understanding. "What are you doing tomorrow?" He glanced at her and than look towards the two figure at the other side.
"I?" Hinata looked up to find him looking away. His face impassive.
"Are you love birds done?!" Kankuro yelled. Hinata blushed and Gaara glared. His brother was getting on his nerve.
"Nothing much. I'm off from missions and trainings" Hinata continued, ignoring Kankuro's question.
"Could you show me around Konoha?" He looked at Hinata and put his right hands inside his pants pocket, his left hand on his side. "I never got the chance to do that."
"Of- of course" she stammer slightly. She realize it was his indirect way of asking her out.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow at eleven." She nodded than there was silence. Hinata looked towards her right, with her fingers touching her mouth. Gaara looked the other way at his brother.
"Just kiss her already." Kankuro yelled again for the second time. Gaara had enough of him. He raised his right hand off his pocket and commanded his sand to go after Kankuro but he stopped when he felt Hinata's hand holding onto his left palms and the other holding to his right wrist. Her body near his.
"Gaara..." The way she called his name. It wasn't lace with fear. He looked at her and he was worried that she might have thought that he had wanted to kill his brother. But she didn't have that look on her. Instead she was smiling. "He was just teasing us." Us, she had used the word us instead of "me" or "you" and he liked how it sound.
"I wasn't going to kill him." he stated looking into her beautiful orbs.
"I know." she smiled as she pulled his raised arms down to his side. The hands that was holding onto his wrist slipped into his palms. They were holding hands. Hinata noticed that he was looking right at her and she had to looked down and blush, but her hands still not leaving his.
He never held hands with a girl. Not in this way. Her hands felt small and soft against his bigger calloused hands. Never was he this close with the gender of the opposite sex. And he was surprised to feel the heat emitted from her body or the scent of her.
"Do I have to say it again?! Just kiss her already!" Kankuro was looking frustrated, for reasons Gaara couldn't understand why it bothered his brother so much if he kissed Hinata or not.
"I guess I should be going now." Gaara said, looking at the petite girl in front of him. She nodded. He wanted to kiss her, but he thought that it might be too fast for both of them. They never even went out together. Even thou they are now engaged, still he felt that it wasn't the time yet. So he let go of her hands and stepped back. "Ja ne. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Hai" Hinata took a step back and look at the retreating figure towards the other two members of Suna. Her cheeks still flushed. Others might have thought how was it possible for her to accept an arrange marriage. Or to like someone who is match-made to her. Most thought that it would have been because of his looks or his power as a Kazakage. She would not deny that he was good looking with well built body nor would she deny of the power and authority he held. But she knew better about the man she was betrothed too, ever since that conversation they had. He was different. He was special. They both believe in each other to make sure that things would work out the way they wished it to be - to fall in love with each other someday. She may not know what he felt for her now, but she knew that he at least like her in a way and that's all that matter. And she knew, neither he nor she would regret it.
AN: I don't really like this one. But I guess it's the best I could come out with. I did tell some readers that I MIGHT do a second shot to this. And it's done now. I hope you enjoyed it.