He handed her the file of all of the ninja's coming to the meeting and as she quickly flipped through the list and the brief stats of each she quickly made her choice. "I will house Hinata and Neiji. The fact that they are cousins in a high ranked house should keep them in line in my home."
This was something else that was starting to worry Gaara. She was starting to get jittery around the men of the village. She wouldn't say anything for the sake of keeping the peace, but he could tell that someone or something was bothering her when he, Temari or Kankurou were not around. He was tempted to spy on her to see what it was that was causing her nerves but knew that if her own varient of the sixth sense alerted her to his watch he would very shortly be in hot water that he wouldn't be able to swim in. Seeing that she was waiting for his approval or denial he nodded his head. "That will be acceptable. I have no doubt that you will want to go home and prepare for your houseguests, so I won't take up any more of your time. If you need anything you know who to talk to."
A sigh was the only responce he got to that and knew that as she pulled her hood back up she would be planning ahead to have nothing but the best for her guests. That he was certain of considering how he and his siblings were treated when they came to visit for dinner or a break.
Two days passed quickly for Hoshiwara and she was just finishing the last touches on the second guest room as a messenger came to inform her that it was time for her to head for the Kazekage's office to meet the Konoha group. Grabbing her cloak she double checked herself in the mirror to find that nothing was out of place since she had her hair pulled back in a tight french braid.
Since she had moved into her living quarters, she had found someone in the city that could sew and after showing the woman one of the two robes she came to this area in she now had several versions of those robes. Some flowing and loose, others fitting close like an overdress. All of them had the sigil of the Suna village somewhere on them, usually at a point on her left shoulder or at the collar. It was an elaborate bit of stitching that despite the fact that she really didn't want it, she could not object since it would help her to be identified should she ever have to leave the village.
Walking quickly to the tower in the center of the village she did not see anyone that she knew while on her way. Walking right up to the door, it was opened for her as the guards knew who she was and why she was there that day. 'Idiots' She muttered in her mind. She had seen the look that the left standing guard had given her. She had walked to the tower with the left side of her cloak carefully folded back to display her shoulder badge, she was a well built woman and it had garnered the attention of several of the Kazekage's guards since she had been to the tower on a near daily basis since she was released from the hospital.
Stepping quickly she nearly ran up the stairs to the main office only pausing a moment to catch her breath before rapping softly on the door. When she heard Gaara call for her to enter she did so, leaving her hood covering most of her face and her left shoulder badge showing. :These are our guests Gaara?: She asked, slipping back into her native language, startling the assembled group that wore the forehead protectors that identified them as Konoha Ninjas from the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Temari, Kankurou and Gaara all nodded, not surprised that she had adressed the Kazekage with such familierity. However this had caught the blond ninja that sported bright orange clothing off guard and he launched immediately onto his own questions. "What?! You mean that we're going to be hosted by someone that doesn't even speak our language?"
Both Hinata and Neiji noticed that the woman had stiffened slightly at the question and could tell that she had been offended by its tone. Neiji switched to a defensive frame of mind, wondering if they were about to get into a fight thanks to what Naruto had just said. However they were all interrupted by Sakura who smacked the blond upside the head. "Don't be an idiot. If she is our host then there is a good chance that she understands us and can speak the language."
Hoshiwara's posture now expressed surprise at the dynamics of this group before her and then taking a moment to calm herself and gather her skills she began again with a slight bow. "Welcome to Suna. My name is Hoshiwara, I will be the host for the ninjas Hinata and Neiji." The accent was heavy but the words were crisp and well spoken despite the pauses in her greeting.
The cousins stepped forward and bowed in return, Neiji took the lead now and continued the introductions. "I am Neiji, this is my cousin Hinata. Those behind us are Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura." The named ninjas each nodded or bowed to her as they were pointed out. "Thank you for your hospitality Hoshiwara."
Comfortable that this was the group that she was supposed to meet she pulled back the hood on her cloak allowing the new group to see her face. Now that her own vision was no longer partially blocked she carefully looked the group over. "You are probably tired from your travels." At this she turned to Gaara and continued, "Gaara, it would be best to adjurn for now to let the travelers clean up and relax some. You, Temari, Kankurou and the rest of our guests are welcome to my house this evening for dinner, if that suits you?"
To the surprise of those that did not know the woman or her relationship with the three siblings in the room he nodded. "We will be over in a few hours."
Hoshiwara smiled and then looked over at Hinata and Neiji. "Please come with me. I'm sure that you both would enjoy the chance to relax for a short time." She pulled her hood back up and turned to the door to leave, seemingly uncaring as to whether or not the two followed her or not.
The two however followed quickly knowing that this could be an educational experiance for them both. Hinata was tired from the day's heat and the run across the sands. Neiji while not as tired as his cousin, was still feeling the effects of the sun's heat and easily agreed that refreshing themselves before dinner would not be a bad idea.
From that point the other siblings split up the group farther, Sakura and Naruto going with Kankurou and Kakashi going with Gaara. Temari did not take any guests as she had already worked out with Gaara and Hoshiwara that she would keep herself available in case the woman got into a situation where she needed a translator.
The only reason the meeting was taking place here was that it was time to renegotiate the terms of the alliance between the two villages. Normally this would have been done between the two village leaders, however this time the Hokage of Konoha thought that she could trust the negotiations to the hands of the people that had helped to forge and shape the alliance into what it was now. Not to mention it would allow for old friends to talk and catch up on the news of each other.
Dinner that evening was a busy affair. Gaara could tell the moment he set foot into the house that she had been planning for this dinner ever since she got word that she would be hosting two of the group. The house was redolant with the smells of breads, meats and other unidentifiable smells that were quickly making him start to salivate. Tonight they would all be eating like royalty if what he was smelling was any indication.
When the group finally was assembled in the livingroom of her home, Hoshiwara came out and called them all to the dining room. As they all entered they were each amazed in their own ways as to the decorating. There were candles everywhere casting their soft lights over the room with two large oil lamps, one at each end of the long dining table, providing the better part of the light to see by. The low table had many coushins around it to ensure that everyone was comfortable and down the center of the table was a veritable feast for the eyes and stomach. Game birds, roast meats, vegitables, noodles, soups, sauces, and salads graced the table in a riot of color and smells.
As they all picked their places to sit, Hoshiwara graced them each with a smile and got one in return. Even Gaara wasn't exempt from the return smile. This was far above and beyond anything he had expected from the woman. He knew that she was an excellent cook in her own right thanks to the many times he and his brother and sister had been over to this place to eat in the evenings. But she had out done herself with this.
Clapping her hands twice to gain everyone's attention she started out in her own language, the siblings translating in their minds before she switched languages to say everything again. "Brought here this day are guests to some, friends to others. Peace upon you as you stay with us, and may love and laughter follow you when you leave." This small blessing given she started serving and passing around the various dishes that had taken the better part of the last two days to make.
Several hours later, as the group was lounging in the livingroom, stuffed with good food and good drink they were all talking quietly in friendly conversation. At least it was quiet and friendly until Naruto voiced his opinion of the dinner. Those that knew the blond ninja saw the opinion coming miles away, but the one person in the room that didn't quickly started turning shades of red that the elder ninjas or the leaders didn't even know existed.
:You. You! You arrogant little know it all. Telling me that my food is almost as good as Ramen?! Just who the hell do you think you are you little straw haired swine? You demolished most of the food on the table with your appetite alone. I can't believe that you would be so heathen as to insult my cooking that way. Are you twice stupid or did you have to work at being such an arrogant prick?! Get out of my home you little ogre!: By the time she had hit the end of her rant she was screaming less than two inches away from the blond ninja's face with both hands wrapped around his neck as she had cornered him on the couch he was on.
Naruto had no clue what she was saying and neither did any of the other Konoha ninja. But the three others that did know what what going on were all in shock. Temari had warned her brothers that there was a good chance that she had a dangerous temper, it was just a case of figuring out what would set her off. Now they were all wishing they hadn't. Hoshiwara did not understand what Chakra was in this world, but she was glowing with an unleashed power that wrapped around her like a large flame.
A squeek from the young ninja who was now turning an interesting shade of blue snapped the three out of their shock and into action. Gaara used the sands in his gourd to loosen the woman's grip on Naruto's throat and once the grip was broken Kankurou grabbed the blond ninja and they both shot out the door like the devil himself was after them. Things did not start calming down in the least until Temari stepped into her range of vision and caught her attention. :Hoshiwara, calm down will you? He did not mean to insult your cooking, and now that he is gone back to the house he's supposed to be sleeping in, its time you calmed down.: She tapped a finger meaningfully against the outer shell of her fan.
The air was tense, the Konoha ninja that were still there uncertain if they would be the next target of this mad woman and the Suna ninja uncertain if they would need to subdue her. But as Hoshiwara moved, it was to bring her hands to her sides. Her eyes closed and and her posture tensed even farther for a few moments before she took a deep breath and slowly released it. As her eyes opened again, the flames that had almost literally been dancing in them were gone. In their place was a deep regret. Her posture changed and seemed to collapse in on itself as she looked over at Gaara who still had her held captive by his sands. :Thank you. Please let me go.:
Holding her a monent longer he noticed that she wasn't moving against anyone else, and it seemed that all of the energy that she had been burning with a moment with had evaporated with the loss of her anger. Instead of simply letting her go, he had the sands seat her in her chair before withdrawing.