No own no sue.

Nutcracker

"Haaaaa! Gaara, sugoi!" Hinata's head was inclined to the ceiling, her glistening silver eyes absorbing the graceful ivory arches of the palace ceiling. Her face sparkled like the sun itself; she was the epitome of happiness at the moment. Gaara hung back, catching reflections of her happiness in the polished marble floor.

"Hinata. There is one thing I must do first. Will you sit?"

He ushered her over to an ivory bench; engraved maple leaves flourished around the base. Peering around in a suspicious manor, he left her with this advice:

"If a tall man with brown hair comes to talk, tell him that you are waiting for me."

Hinata nodded, although very confused. Gaara's robe swirled unintentionally (1) as he ascended one of the five swirling staircases at the end of the hall. She took a moment to sink into this world of silence and beauty.

Everything was white: the ceiling, the floor, the walls, ect., except for the few dashes of blood red from the carpet and tapestries. There were other benches lining the main corridor, all had the same flourishing pattern. The room was illumined warmly by several stained glass windows, and althought the had patterns on them, the only color was milky white. Several statues of mythical creatures, done in polished marble, had been placed at the end of the silver railings of the stairs, and a few were placed adjacent to the benches. Hinata's eyes came to rest on a statue next to her seat; it resembled a kind of Pegasus, but with a lion's mane and the cloven hoofs of a deer. It seemed to be rearing up in defense. Her eyes met the hollow eyes of the Pegasus, and she followed its gaze.

'Well, that makes sense.' She thought, eyeing the statue that the Pegasus had set its eyes on. A muscled silver beast, his nose wrinkled upward to expose sharp fangs, was crouched low in attack position. Its fur was short, and the lean physique was exposed. She squinted to see the light pattern of the fur; it appeared to be striped.

'Like a tiger.' She mused. Hinata made a note to ask Gaara about these creatures later.

Footsteps caught her ear. She looked up, expecting to find Gaara.

"Hello, my beauty! I am Kankurou, your resident Kugutsu-danaa and Kabuki artist! May I ask your name?"

Hinata was stunned by this grand entrance, but managed to stammer her name softly.

"Hmm? Hinata? Oh! A lovely name indeed! If I remember correctly, it means 'in the sun'… ah, such a fitting name! Ahan!" He grinned widely upon her, causing her hands to clench firmly the navy blue pajama shorts that she had neglected to change out of the night before. She grimaced momentarily at her single slipper. The other one was still gone… she had thrown it at the snake thing. Hinata would have to ask Gaara about that too.

"So," he began. "If you don't mind me asking, what is your business here, Hina-chaaaaaan?"

"Ano, I'm waiting for Gaara…"

Kankurou's pale green eyes lit up.

"Gaara? Ore no ototou ga? Honto ni? (2)"

Hinata nodded slowly.

"So, you must have been our lucky little curse-breaker, eh? That changes things. I promise I won't lay a finger on you, sweets. You're Gaara's girl now-"

"Kan! Goddammit! Not a word! Urusai! (3)"

Hinata's gaze turned to an angry brunette at the top of the stairwell.

"Maaa, Tenten, I just-"

"Not a word!"

She slid down the banister in a very unlady-like fashion. Upon reaching the bottom and jumping off, she straightened her pink Chinese style shirt and black pants. Her hair was done up in messy but cute buns. Her honey eyes sparkled at Hinata as she flashed a reassuring smile. Escorting the puppet master out of the room by the ear, she returned to Hinata.

"Sorry about him. He's Gaara's older brother. A bit of an ass, though. I'm Tenten, by the way. Are you Hinata?"

She nodded mutely, though feeling more comfortable around Tenten than Kankurou.

"Boy, news spreads quick around here." She glanced at Hinata's single slipper and pajamas. "You want some real clothes?"

Hinata chuckled. She could like it here.

0oOo0

Ya, im throwing a little Nejiten in there later.

1) His kazekage man-skirt thinger. i didn't know what to call it...

Gaara no outotou Gaara, my brother

Honto ni truly, really

Urusai noisy