Don't own Naruto and the story line I'm pretty much following from a book, but with little twists. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

It was a different world, maybe even a different planet. As Hinata thought as she stepped cautiously into the sparkling boutique, was now a different woman. Hinata who so often had her nose pressed against the window of such pretty places was now inside. And she could have whatever she wanted. That gorgeous beaded jacket there, she thought. Not daring to touch it, or that fluid column of ivory silk.

Hinata stepped a little further and peeked into a long glass display cabinet. Beautiful, sparkly things. Wonderful decorations for the ears, wrists and fingers.

"May I help you?"

The woman behind the counter smiled indulgently.

"I don't know."

"Are you looking for something special?"

"Everything seems special."

The indulgent smile warmed.

"I'm glad you think so. We're very proud of our selection. I'd be happy to help you if I can, or you can feel free to browse."

"Actually I have dinner tonight, and nothing to wear."

That's always the case, isn't it."

"Literally nothing." When the clerk didn't appear shocked by this confession, Hinata had the courage to go on.

"I suppose I need a dress."

"Formal or casual?"

"I have no idea. He didn't say."

"Dinner for two?"

"Yes. Oh." Hinata gasped.

"It's not a date. Exactly."

Willing to play, the clerk angled her head.

"Business?"

"In a way. I suppose. Yes, that must be it."

"Is he attractive."

Hinata fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"That doesn't begin to describe him.

"Interested?"

"You'd have to be dead ten years not to be. But it's not that sort of …thing."

"Maybe it could be. Let's see."

Lips pursed, the clerk studied Hinata through narrowed eyes.

"Feminine but not fussy, sexy but not obvious. I think I have a few things you might like."

XXXXX

The clerk's name was Haruno Sakura. She'd work at the Flying Petals Boutique for five years since she and her husband had moved to Vegas. He was a fanatic in art, he purchased and creates paintings as well as a successful art gallery just down the road from Shukaku. Hinata learned all this because she asked. And asking helped put her ease while Sakura approved or rejected outfits.

One cocktail dress, beaded jacket, evening purse and sparkly earrings later, Sakura gave her a gentle nudge toward a salon.

"You ask for Ino." Sakura advised. "Tell her I sent you. She's an absolute genius."

XXXXXXXX

"WHAT," Ino demanded when Hinata sat in the cushioned silver salon chair, "happened to your hair? An industrial accident? A near-terminal illness perhaps? Mice?"

Wincing, Hinata cowered under the stark white cape that had been draped around her.

"I'm afraid I cut it myself."

"Would you remove your own appendix?"

Hinata could only hunch her shoulders as Ino glowered down at her with searing blue eyes.

"No. No I wouldn't."

"Your hair is part of your body and requires a professional."

"I know. You're right. Absolutely."

The back of Hinata's throat began to tickle and she swallowed to keep it from bubbling up. This was not the time to laugh. She sheepishly smiled though.

"It was an impulse, a rebellion actually."

"Against what?" Ino's fingers dove into her hair and began to knead and tug. "Being well-groomed."

"No. Well…there was this man, and he kept telling me how I should wear it. And how it should be, and it made me mad, so I whacked it off.'

"Was this man your hairdresser?"

"Oh. No. He was a businessman."

"Ha. Then he has no business telling how you should wear your hair. Cutting off was brave. Foolish but brave. The next time you want to rebel, go to a professional."

"I will." Hinata then took a deep breath. "Can you do anything with it?"

"Girl, I've worked miracles with much worse." Ino snapped her fingers.

"Shampoo! Now tell me about your love life."

"I don't have one."

"You will." Ino wiggled her eyebrows. "My work never fails."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Hinata opened the door for Gaara, he held a single white rose. He was something from out of the story she secretly wrote down in her notebooks for years. But what popped out of her mouth was the single thought that revolved in her muddled brain since a call from a certain someone.

"Shikamaru Nara is your brother-in-law."

"Yes, he is."

"He was attorney for the Land of Fire." (Running out of places to put into!)

"Yes." Gently Gaara lifted Hinata's hand and placed the rose stem in it. "He was."

"Your also related to Tsunade, who was president. For eight years!"

"You pass the history quiz."

Gaara closed the door behind him and took a long study of her. A warm hum of approval moved through his blood.

"You look fabulous."

"I-really?"

Distracted not only by the compliment, Hinata glanced down, running a hand over the night sky skirt of a dress that was shorter, snugger and more daring than anything in her previous wardrobe.

"Sakura at the boutique downstairs picked it out for me. She said that I belonged in 'the secret of the nights' colors." (Someone actually said this to me. Weird right?)

"Sakura has an excellent eye." And likely deserved a raise, he thought, making a circling motion with his finger. "Turn around."

"Turn-" Her laugh was both pleased and self-conscious as she executed a slow twirl.

A big raise, Gaara decided as the flippy little skirt danced around those surprisingly delightful legs.

"They're not there."

"What?"

Her hand fluttered to the dipping bodice, checking. "What isn't there?"

"Wings. I expected to see little fairy wings."

Flustered, she laughed again. "The way this day has gone, I wouldn't be surprised to see them myself."

"Why don't we have a drink before we go to dinner, and you can tell me how the day's gone."

Gaara walked to the bar to take out a bottle of champagne out of the minifridge. She loved to watch him move. It was the animal grace she'd only read about, sleek and confident. And again, slightly dangerous. But to see it..She let out a little sigh. It was so much better imagining it.

"Ino cut my hair," she began, thrilling to the celebratory sound of the cork popping.

"Ino?"

"In your salon?"

"Ah, that Ino." Gaara selected two flutes and poured. "The customers tremble, but always go back to Ino."

"I thought she was going to boot me out when she saw what I've done."

She gave her short locks a tug.

"But she took pity on me. Ino has definite opinions."

Gaara skimmed his gaze over her hair, then down until his eyes met hers.

"I'd say in your case he saw the wings."

"I'm only to pick up scissors to cut paper from now on."

Her eyes danced as she accepted the glass Gaara offered.

"Or I'll be punished. I was afraid to ask her how. Oh, this is wonderful."

Hinata murmured after a sip. Closing her eyes, she sipped again. "Why would anyone drink anything else."

The pure sensual pleasure on her face had the hum in his blood quickening. It seemed wiser to keep the bar between them.

"What else did you do?"

"Oh, the salon took forever. Ino kept finding other things she said were absolutely essential. I had a pedicure. I had no idea how wonderful it is to have your feet rubbed. They put paraffin on my feet. Can you imagine? Feel."

With some acrobatic grace, Hinata had her feet over the bar in all innocence. Gaara took her small foot, smooth as a child's. He had to check the urge to nibble. "Very nice."

"Isn't it?" Delighted, Hinata took her foot back. "Ino said I have to have a full body loofah and some sort of mud bath, and…I can't even remember. She wrote it all down and sent me to Moegi at the spa. She makes the appointments. May I have some more?"

"Sure." A little war between amusement and baffled desire waged inside him as he poured some more champagne.

"I think champagne is getting to my head. This isn't what I wanted to talk about. Mr. Nara-"

"We'll talk about it over dinner."

He slipped the flute from her hand and set it aside. He spotted the glittery evening bag on the table and handed it to her.

Hinata slanted a Gaara a look as he led her to the elevator.

"Can I have more champagne at dinner?"

Gaara had to laugh.

"Pup, you can have whatever you want."

"Imagine that."

With a blissful sigh, she leaned against the smoked glass wall.

Gaara pushed the button for the circular restaurant on the top floor. Being in a confide space he couldn't help but smell the new perfume that she bought. Something woodsy and perfect for her. He decided the best place for his hands was in his pockets.

"Did you try out the casino?"

"No. There was so much else to do. I looked around a little, but I didn't know where to begin."

"I think you began pretty well already."

Hinata beamed up at him as the doors opened. "I did, didn't I?"

Gaara led her through a small foyer and into a candlelit dining room.

"Good evening, Mr. Sabaku. Madam." The maitre'd made a slight bow and with his brown hair and round body, reminded Hinata of Tweedledee from Alice in wonderland. Or was it Tweedledum? Oh! Another rabbit hole, Hinata thought as they were led to a curved banquette by the window. She never wanted to find her way out.

"The lady enjoys champagne, Chouji."

"Of course. Right away."

"It must be so exciting living here. It's like a world to itself. You like it don't you?"

"Very much. I was born with a pair of dice in one hand, and a deck of cards in the other."

Chouji came back and showed the label to Gaara who nodded in approval. Thrilled by the ritual, Hinata studied every step, From the twisting of the white cloth to the glass elegantly laid down before her.

"It's wonderful. Like drinking gold."

That earned her a pleased smile from Chouji, who finished pouring with a flourish before nestling the bottle in a silver bucket of ice.

"Now." Gaara tapped his glass lightly against hers. "You talked to Shikamaru."

"Yes. I didn't realize, not until I'd made the call. Then I did, Shikamaru Nara. I started to stutter." Hinata winced. "He was very patient with me.. He said he would take care of things, my birth certificate, the red tape. He didn't seem to think it would take long.

"We have a way of moving things along. Now that we have that covered. What would you like from the menu?

Her eyes sparkled once again.

"Everything."

XXXXX

Don't know if this was really good. I'm having writers block. Ugh! This is going to be on hold for the moment. Give me a few more months and it may come to me.

SORRY!