Me: Hello to everyone!
Tenten: We are back with a new chapter
Ino: Though we are sorry that you had to wait longer than you wanted
Me: Don't mind her, we're all ready to wrap up this story
Sakura: It's coming to an end?
Me: Yes, all stories must end at some point
Kankuro: This is not the last chapter though
Shikamaru: There will be at least three more
Me: But for now please read and enjoy
Everyone: Review!
It had been three months, since Matsuri had been giving a choice to make amends with Hinata. She found it difficult to come to a conclusion though considering all that has happened. She was still puzzled as to why Hinata would even want to be friends with her in the first place.
After all, Matsuri was the one responsible for humiliating her, and putting her whole reputation on the line. But the fact that Hinata had wanted to forgive her was amazing. A normal person would hold a grudge and never let go of it. But Hinata was different. Her heart was so kind and gentle like that of an angle. Matsuri was now even more confused. In those three months that had gone by she found herself getting closer to Yuto.
She would be lying if she said that she didn't enjoy his company. Matsuri found herself steadily getting closer to him in ways that she never thought possible. But why? She had known Yuto for a while now, so why all of a sudden was he filling the hole in her heart. It didn't make any sense to her.
More then once she had tried to find the answer but was left with nothing, could her heart by trying to tell her something. Seeing help Matsuri then walked around the village to find the one person who she never thought that she'd look to for guidance, Hinata.
She eventually saw her, sitting on Gaara's lap on a park bench from the looks of things they seemed to be having a friendly conversation. Matsuri took a nervous gulp before she headed towards the couple. Both looked up to see Matsuri starting at the ground. "Hello" she said softly. Gaara's eyes narrowed slightly what did she possibly want now?
"Um...if it's alright I would like to ask Hinata something".
The bluenette saw that Matsuri was looking rather confused about stuff and decided that it was no harm in talking to her, perhaps she had come to a conclusion. Hinata whispered something in Gaara's ear before she got off his lap and walked over to Matsuri.
"W-what would y-y-you l-like to d-d-discuss?"
Matsuri leads Hinata a little ways before taking a deep breath and explaining everything to her. Hinata listened attentively to every detail trying to take it all in. She didn't interrupt and Matsuri still continued to talk. Hinata studied the look in Matsuri's eyes; they seemed to sparkle whenever she mentioned Yuto, but at the same time they had a look of confusion and fear. Something that puzzled Hinata greatly.
"May I ask you something?"
Hinata nodded, "Why are you willing to give me another chance even when you know that I may very well turn against you?"
To that she merely smiled "Because like me you a-a-are a fellow c-c-comrade". Matsuri raised an eyebrow "You s-s-s-see Matsuri I-I-I believe that a-a-all shinobi a-a-are meant t-t-to g-g-give everyone a c-chance". Hinata places her hand on her shoulder "While y-you may be m-m-mislead to t-t-think that I-I hate you t-t-the truth is I d-d-d-don't I do care f-for you as a friend a-a-and I do appreciate that you're l-loyal to Gaara a-and respect him. But you must u-u-understand that sometimes w-w-what we t-think it best f-for us r-r-r-r-really isn't".
Matsuri's eyes widened as the truth hit her. Suddenly everything was making sense to her now. She took a deep breath "Hinata...I want to apologize for my behavior, it really was unfair of me to do such terrible things to you. I'm actually a nice person and I'm always friendly to everyone but I guess seeing you with Gaara-sama made me jealous". She paused for a moment "Shikamaru-san was right, I was lying to myself. You see Hinata, Gaara-sama is an important person to me. He was the first teacher I ever had when I decided to become a ninja and then as time passed...he kind of made me feel like I was needed again. Like I was still loved the way I always was before my parents died".
Hinata placed her hand on Matsuri's arm "Gaara-sama made me feel all warm inside. He helped me get this far in life and I was ever so grateful for that. I guess I thought that if I made him see me in a different way, he might have wanted to love me like I was his".
Matsuri then smiled "I was wrong though and it only took plenty of painful reminders to help me see that literally".
Hinata then gave a warm smile "I-I'm glad y-you've c-c-come to terms w-with your f-f-feelings". She lightly squeezed her arm "Perhaps t-this means y-you k-k-know what your h-h-h-heart is telling you now?" Matsuri nodded before she turned to face Hinata "Hinata-chan I want to make it up too you". She held out her hand "I'm sorry for everything and I would like to be friends, give us a fresh start". Hinata's smile grew as she shook Matsuri's hand "It's a d-deal".
Later that day
Gaara was in his office when he heard a soft knock on his door "Enter". The door opened and he smiled as Hinata walked into the room. "Hey babe". "Hello". He stood up and took her in his arms "How'd it go?" Hinata smiled "M-Matsuri has decided to turn over a n-new leaf. She w-wants to be f-friends". Gaara's smile grew "That's a relief". Hinata hugged him before she giggled "What?" "Nothing my love, but it m-m-must feel nice k-k-knowing that Matsuri won't be b-bothering you a-anymore". Gaara face brightened "Oh Hinata what would I do without you". Hinata smiled "I d-d-don't know what I'd do without y-y-you". Gaara's embrace on her tightened, how he loved this woman.
Matsuri walked nervously over to Yuto's apartment, she never thought that she'd be saying this to him. All this time she wanted to confess to Gaara but it turns out that Yuto had been the one to win her heart.
Amazing how people can change their point of view. She nervously knocked on the door and a few moments later Yuto answered it "Matsuri what a nice surprise". She nodded "There's something I need to tell you". "Oh and what's that". Matsuri rubbed her hands together "It's not exactly an easy thing to say so why don't we go for a walk and I'll explain everything". "Sure just give me a sec".
With Kankuro, Temari and Shikamaru
"Do you think Gaara will be a man and propose to the girl?" Temari shrugged "Don't know but you shouldn't rush it, let it come natural. Romance takes time". She smiled as she leaned into her boyfriend "Wouldn't you agree?" "Yes". He kissed her forehead. Kankuro made a face, while he was happy that his sister finally had Shikamaru did they really have to act all lovely-dovey in front of him!
"Just think our little brother getting himself a wife. Hinata-chan is such a sweet little girl she'll do nicely for our Gaara".
Temari couldn't help but laugh "I'll finally have a girl around the house for a change".
"Why can't Gaara propose to her already he loves Hinata but he's being a wimp about trying to get her to marry him". "Idiot! Like I said we can't rush these things". Temari grinned "But we can give him a push in the right direction". Kankuro raised an eyebrow "How so?" "Come on you two were going shopping for a bit, leave it all to me!".
With Matsuri and Yuto
"Are you ok? You've been rather quiet the whole time". Matsuri nodded "Yes I'm alright". She then gave a silent sigh, this was really not working the way she wanted too. Why was it so hard to confess your feeling to someone you love?
"Can I say something?" "What?" "The first time I met you, I thought that you were a bit crazy crushing on Gaara-sama like all the other unstable hormonal girls in the village. "Oh" on the inside Matsuri was frowning "But I saw you grow into a confident person and for that I'm glad".
She blushed a bit, well at least he thought of her as a nice person.
"Yuto...I want to tell you something important". "Really? What is it?"
Matsuri swallowed nervously as her face got darker "Yuto I've come to realize that..." "Yes?" She blushed even more "I love you". At first he was a bit shocked to hear those words coming from her but he soon smiled "Matsuri I love you too". As their faces got closer they were suddenly surrounded "Yeah! Matsuri finally crushing on someone else isn't that amazing Lee!" "Naruto it is the greatest thing that could possibly happen to Gaara, let the power of youth in these young lovers live on!".
"What the hell are you two doing here?!" Naruto gave his signature grin "We followed you thinking that you were gonna win over Gaara again but it turns out we were wrong. Now you finally have a new obsession and that means Gaara can relax". Matsuri's face became red in anger Naruto and Lee were so gonna get it.
"Come along Naruto we must tell Gaara-sama right away he will be so happy to hear the news!" "Hey wait up bushy brows!". After about five minutes of awkward silence Matsuri let out a frustrated sigh "I'm sorry but Naruto and Lee can be idiots at times". She brushed some of her hair out of her face "Totally killed the mood".
"No worries". He patted her shoulder "I think we were about to do something". She smiled and leaned in.
Back with Gaara and Hinata
"Hey Gaara we-" All three of them promptly stopped when the two older siblings saw that their little brother had pinned his girlfriend against a wall and had his tongue down her throat. "Umm...Gaara?" He swiftly turned around while Hinata's face turned beet red "I'm busy get lost". "We can see that but we have something to show you". Shikamaru couldn't help but blush if he was caught making out with Temari like that then there would be hell to pay.
"Come on Gaara this really is important". "No I'm busy!" Kankuro swiftly grabbed him and then dragged him out of his office while Gaara protested to no end.
"Sorry about interrupting Hina-chan, but Gaara needs to see this cause it is rather necessary but we'll have him back here in a flash". Temari gave Hinata a hug before she took Shikmaru's hand and let him outside leaving a rather confused Hinata.
"This had better be important". "Oh shut up! You'll be back with Hinata-chan in a moment now pipe down and follow!". The three lead him to a jewelry store "You dragged me out here for this!? This has got to be one of your-" "Gaara will you shut up! We haven't even shown you what it is yet!" There were a lot of stares as the Kazekage was dragged by his brother and sister with a lazy Shikamaru following behind not really wanting to be part of the fray.
A few minutes of excessive dragging and a few threats later the two older siblings finally had their brother where they wanted him "Take a look Gaara does this mean anything?" The red head looked down at the rings on display "Is this some kind of joke?!" Temari frowned "No you dunce! What do you think these rings tell you". Gaara shrugged "I don't know, can we go now!"
Temari groaned "Their engagement rings stupid! Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you want Hinata to be your wife?!".
Gaara's eyes narrowed dangerously "That's why you took me away from her! I can't believe you two. Yes I have considered marrying her, but you didn't have to take me all the way here to make a point".
"Sheesh Gaara for a mighty leader to sure are slow to pick up on stuff". It wasn't long to Kankuro was chocking on a mouth full of sand. "I get it already". He started to leave but Temari grabbed his arm "Oh no, you're staying here until you've picked out a ring". "Temari I-" "I don't want to hear it! That girl loves you and you love her so it's time to be a man and marry her".
She smirked "Unless you want those photos Kankuro and I took of you in your teddy bear boxers reveled to your fan girls you might want to start browsing". Gaara's face turned to a look of horror before he scowled and mumbled to himself about how he hated his siblings at times as he started to look for a potential ring.
"I hate you both!" "Oh come on, it's a real keeper I'm sure she'll like it". The red head grumbled the whole time as the four walked back to the tower "Cheer up little brother at least you got one".
"I have no privacy between you two, you're worse than the council and the fan girls combined".
"So help me Gaara I will leak those pictures I will!"
Forty-five minutes later and after much insulting and death threats they found a curious Hinata still waiting for Gaara in his office.
"Hinata sweetie Gaara has something that he wants to say to you!" Temari said in a singing voice as she pushed her little brother forward.
"Damn you Temari! It doesn't have to be right now!". "I'm sorry but I'm very confused, w-why were y-you out s-s-s-so long?"
"Shut up panda bear! Tell her already!".
"T-tell me what?"
Gaara let out a long sigh, there's no way he was getting out of this one not when his sister was pushing him.
"Hinata I want to tell you something". "Gaara-kun w-what might that be?" He took a deep breath as he reached into his pocket.
Me: And we stop here
Ino: You are such a killjoy!
Me: Shut up Blondie! The big moment will happen in the next chapter
Sakura: Despite this rather annoying hanger the author will update again in a few days
Me: I know this chapter was a bit short, sorry about that the next one will be longer
Kakuro: You had to ruin the moment
Me:(Grins) cause I love to keep people on the edge
Sai: Do review
Me: How did you get here? Oh well see you in a few days
Everyone: Bye!