Chapter 2: Not So Bad

The three days journey to the Village Hidden in the Sand seemed shorter than Hinata thought it would be. It seemed hardly anytime at all. Maybe it was because the more you dreaded doing something the quicker it seemed to get there, and she definitely dreaded this, but she wasn't going to show it.

Hinata remembered when she first set sights on the sand. The trees seemed to stop suddenly and the view was full of never ending hills of sand. She knew what it meant. She knew the ending of the trees signified the ending of her previous life. She was no longer a Leaf ninja. She had wanted to cry, but she reminded herself to be strong. This was her only chance at a new life.

When she finally made it to the Village Hidden in the Sand she remembered the towering wall that protected the city and kept its inhabitants safe. She remembered how when she was 15 the walls had been breached the Kazekage kidnapped. She didn't know the Kazekage at all. All she remembered of him was the young boy that had killed in the chuunin exam just for getting a dirty look. She was afraid her husband would still have that same personality, intensified by his power and anger at being caught those years ago.

Finally the carriage came to a halt. She saw people gathered around outside. They were all anxious to see their Kazekage's new wife. Who else could it be in the carriage? Carriages were a rare luxury. Hinata was nervous. There were so many people here. She hadn't expected anything like this. The driver came around and opened her door. The dim carriage was flooded with light. Hinata took a deep breath. Now or never. She lifted up the skirt of her dress and stepped outside the carriage.

It was quiet. No one said a word. Hinata almost felt like turning around and running back into the carriage, but instead chose to hold her head high and ignore the onlookers.

"Hinata-san!" She heard someone call. She turned to look at who was addressing her. A blonde girl stepped forward. She appeared to be a little older than Hinata. There was something about this girl that was so familiar. Then Hinata noticed the big fan on the girl's back and she realized this was the girl on the Kazekage's team during the chuunin exam. The blonde girl bowed to her and Hinata returned the bow. "Welcome to our Village, Hinata-san. Please follow me and I'll take you to Gaa- I mean the Kazekage."

The girl turned and began to walk towards the crowd. The crowd parted before her to form a path. Hinata turned to get her bags but the carriage was gone. She hoped they would return her stuff to her. She turned around and followed the girl.

While walking through the area Hinata couldn't help but notice all the buildings were made of sand. Such work and beauty put into these structures amazed Hinata. She had never realized how much someone could do with sand alone.

The pair approached the tallest building at the center of the village. Hinata knew this was where they would find the Kazekage. One of the shinobi or something opened the door for the two, obviously she was expected. Once Hinata entered she found more eyes focused on her. It made her uncomfortable, but she tried to see her way through it.

"Temari! Is this her?" She heard a man shout out. She turned to see the speaker. He was a tall man with purple paint on his face and a mummy-looking thing on his back. This man had been the other member of the Kazekage's team.

"Kankuro! You've ruined it now, you know?" Temari said. The two stopped to talk to the young man.

"Ruined what?" He replied looking confused.

"The respect! This is Gaara's wife and you have to shout something disrespectful like that! What she must think of us now!" Temari told him.

"I-i-its," Hinata cleared her throat. "It's not a problem," She said and smiled. "I understand."

Temari smiled. "Glad to hear Gaara's wife isn't a snob. I was afraid you might be since you're heir to the Hyuuga clan." Hinata hung her head. "Oh, did I say something wrong?" Temari said, looking concerned.

Hinata blinked the tears away real quick then looked up and smiled. "Not at all. I'm just the former heir now, though."

Temari looked empathetically at her. "I'm so sorry to hear that. We were told you went into this marriage willingly, though?"

Hinata shook her head. "My father signed my name for me. He has the right to, being my father and clan leader." Temari looked more upset." Not that I wouldn't have! The news just came too suddenly," Hinata added quickly.

"Well, we'll just have to make you feel right at home, now. Besides, you've got a title better than clan leader. The Kazekage's wife. A very important role, you know. The Kazekage's wife must keep him calm and sane and advise him," Temari said, trying to cheer Hinata up.

"And please him!" Kankuro added, which earned him a hard slap in the back of the head from Temari. "Ow! What was that for?"

"You did it again!" She yelled at him.

"Did what?"

"You were disrespectful!"

"Was not!"

"Do you really think Hinata-san wants to hear you talking like that?"

"I was just telling the truth."

"Well next time keep it to yourself."

Hinata laughed at the pair. They acted like real siblings, not the usual distant relationship Hinata was used to between her and Hanabi. Hinata's laughter seemed to remind the pair of her presence.

"Heh heh. Well, we better go introduce you to Gaara," Temari said. She turned and began to lead the way again. Hinata followed her and Kankuro followed her. She heard him mutter something about how lucky Gaara was to have her as a wife and she could only blush at his comment.

After a few turns down a hallway or two the group stopped in front of two wide doors. Temari knocked on it and was answered with an 'enter' from someone inside. Temari opened the doors and ushered Hinata to come in. Once Hinata was in Temari and Kankuro followed.

Standing in the room were two men. One wore a shinobi outfit and the other was a redhead around her age. He stood of to the side and looked a little anxious.

"Gaara, meet Hinata. Hinata, Gaara," Temari introduced.

The young man walked up to Hinata. Hinata felt her heart beat faster. She hadn't ever been this close to many men, mainly her teammates. When she looked at him his face seemed softer, less harsh then when she remembered from the chuunin exam. He reached down and took her hand in his and brought it to his face. He kissed it gently.

"Welcome to the Village Hidden in the Sand, Hinata-san," He spoke with kindness. "I, the Kazekage Gaara, am pleased to have you here as my wife." And all Hinata could do was smile. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

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Author's Notes: Sorry for late update. Especially sorry to son13 who threatened to beat me with a box of instant mashed potatoes and a turkey sandwich if I didn't update. xD I've been kind of in a rut and not all inspired. But it's coming back to me! Next update will be the next two chapters of Fear, then the next two of this story. Got to balance them out. Peace!

Sky