Sorry it took me so long to update this, but i didn't know where the story should go. Thanks for all the reviews! In answer to a certain one, the coughauthorcough doesn't actually know how to dance, so she used her basic knowledge of dance skills when writing about Hinata and Shukaku. It probably should've been more traditional. ;;
So, this chapter starts out serious, but I just had to add some GaaHina at the end, so be warned.
Disclaimer: I dont own naruto.
Chapter 8: Reunion
Gaara
At dawn, each team pummeled towards the other, unknowing. The Konoha ninja moved swifter through the dense trees, used to them, and Gaara followed their leads.
The strange thing about this body was its incredible sense of chakra. Gaara could clearly feel each person's chakra resonating around him. There was a Neji, a green blue chakra, and behind him Lee, who had a forest green chakra, that felt as though it hadn't been touched in years. Further behind himself was a deep dark blue chakra, one that wavered and changed constantly. Probably Shino's. Next to Shino was a golden blue chakra mixed with a brown blue, the dog and Kiba. Shikamaru's was a normal blue…one that reminded him of a cloudless sky. He wondered what his own chakra looked like…and what Hinata's did.
They moved in this formation of three behind, two in front, and Gaara in the middle, stopping only to gather water and rest their tired bodies and minds. For the most part they were silent, the situation finally getting to them. He liked it better that way.
Hinata
She had been almost disappointed when morning came, ending the fun. She was just as relieved though, to see Temari and Kankuro stir, each of them giving her first confused, then warm recognition.
It took the siblings only a few moments to remember who was in their little brother's body – the innocent, happy look on his face gave it away.
Baki gave Gaara a concerned look, but Hinata ignored it.
They continued on soon after, Kankuro chatting softly with Temari, every so often including Hinata in their conversations. Once or twice Hinata would giggle or laugh at their antics, only to receive a worried and fearful glance from Baki, which quieted her immediately.
Gaara
He began to sense their chakra around midday, and wondered whether or not to tell the rest of the group. Finally, when they stopped by a small stream, he whispered to Neji,
"There are four ninja approaching from the north."
Neji stared at him, startled. Then, he activated his Byagukun (sp?) and nodded. He gathered the group together, and they began discussing.
Gaara couldn't help but notice how they talked amongst themselves, excluding him, the one this mission was all about. As always, he was ignored. Alone. He felt a growl in his throat, but didn't release it.
"Hina- Gaara-san! What's wrong?" Lee's voice cut him from his thoughts, and he looked angrily at the green youth, though inside his whole body gave a relieved sigh. He relaxed his face, allowing it to go from intense to emotionless, once again.
"Nothing." He said.
Lee nodded and returned to the group discussion.
That's when Gaara realized how familiar the chakras felt…they were getting closer, close enough that he could almost put colors to them… names…
There was Temari.
Kankuro. His chakra was such a purple blue…
Baki's, so fearful.
And then…there was this calm red chakra trailing behind the three, the red of…him.
His body was coming.
Glancing over at the shinobi, he decided to act.
"We will go meet them." He murmured, standing. Everyone followed, looks of surprise and worry and their faces. Then, they took off.
Hinata
The sand shinobi found themselves in a forest clearing, the grass cut down the middle by a stream. Hinata tensed as she was six people walk out from the trees on the other side of the clearing.
One was…her.
Temari grinned as she noted who was there… Hinata (who she was certain was Gaara), Neji (was he her cousin?), Kiba, Shino (bug freak beat her brother, damn him), Lee (almost beat Gaara, speed demon), and….Shikamaru. Her face turned a slight shade of pink as she remembered her last visit to Konoha, to him.
Before she could step forward and say anything, Gaara was running, a look of pure delight on his face.
"Neji-niisan!" he cried, "Kiba-kun, Shino-kun! Lee-san, Shikamaru-san!"
Gaara
His eye twitched as he saw the Hyuuga girl use his body. It was…well, lets just say he had a reputation to uphold and she was not upholding it. She was making him look like a pansy. A pansy. It was rather disturbing actually.
"Hey!" He shouted, stopping his body in its tracks. "What are you doing?"
Then, he too, was stalking across the clearing, towards his body.
They met at the stream in the middle, staring at each other.
Hinata
She felt something stir inside her, not Shukaku. It was feeling of uncomfort as she looked at herself, saw herself wrinkle her face in disgust and anger. She had never realized how ugly she could be.
But then she saw the face relax as Gaara fought down his emotions, controlled himself. Then, she was looking at her own, clam, smooth face. She couldn't take it anymore.
She flung herself around her body, giving it the tightest hug she could. Then, realizing what she had done, she felt her face turn all red and she fainted.
Gaara
He was completely and utterly mortified. She had used his body to hug him. TO HUG HIM GODAMN IT! Since when did the demon of the sand hug people?
But he felt his own face grow hot as she collapsed in his arms, and his own body fell limp.
"Umm…" He growled, afraid to move. Unsure, he could only hug her tighter.