Sakura bolted out of the café and down the village streets. No sooner did she turn the corner, did the village bell blast through the town.
She stopped for a moment and leaned against a wall, anxiety and adrenaline pulsed through her veins. She took a deep breath in and looked back down the street.
She noticed Gaara, now outside of the café. He paused for a moment as if in thought, then walked in the opposite direction.
She knew she was out of sight, but he wasn't who she was running from. It was as if she was living in a nightmare. In the few seconds did it take her to notice the laidback Hyuuga in the far end of the café did a whole swarm of bad memories invade her mind.
She closed her eyes to try to block out the thoughts she knew were about to resurface.
She was only trying to get home, but something grabbed her attention. Before she could open her mouth to scream she saw it, she saw everything.
A cold hand clamped down on her mouth and a blade was pressed near her throat.
"You're not supposed to be here."
Sakura sighed, and made her way home.
Gaara entered the doors to the hospital. People were seated and some individuals were talking to the front desk woman.
He walked past them, paying them no mind. He walked to room 301 and opened the door.
But…nothing happened. He tried again, but it was locked. Why had they locked it? As he was about to leave a voice startled him.
"Are you looking for the patient in that room?"
He turned to see a nurse, dressed in all white and held multiple documents in one hand. She held a bored expression and her voice hinted that she was a bit annoyed at his invasion.
"Yes, Hinata Hyuuga? She was here just yesterday."
"Hmm…" Hummed the medic, and held up one of the few documents in her hand.
"She has been released." She replied, "Her name's on the list of documents I'm about to file."
Gaara paused. Released? Did that mean she had woken up?
"Thank you." He said, and left the nurse. His thoughts were clouded as he wondered as to why he was not notified.
He entered the front of the hospital and was about to pass by the front desk woman when he spotted Tsunade.
She looked a bit ruffled, and had came in through the front doors.
"I was looking for you!" She breathed as she walked toward him. "I was just at the Hyuuga Estate."
"How is she?" Gaara asked.
"She's fine." Tsunade said, waving her hand as if it was a small matter. "She's gone completely back to normal; it was as if that had never happened. You however, have been invited this evening to meet the family and her officially."
Gaara shifted uneasily. "Oh..." was all he could muster up to say.
Tsunade smirked, as if she could tell how awkward family meetings were for him.
"I'll send an escort for you for 7:00, so be ready."
Gaara nodded, and then thanked her for all her help. It was all up to him now, to make a good impression and try not to embarrass himself.
Seven o'clock rolled by in no time. Temari spent all her time throwing on make up and putting on and taking off clothes. No matter what she wore he thought she still looked quite the same.
Kankuro spent his time sleeping, only waking up in the last half hour to fling something on and look decent.
While Gaara, couldn't quite decide on anything. It took the help of Temari for him "Not to look like a complete idiot"
At last, they were all ready and sat, waiting for the escort.
"Have you figured out what you're going to say to her?" Temari asked, eyeing herself in a far mirror.
"I'll introduce myself of course." Gaara stated. He figured that was the best way to do it.
At that moment, someone knocked at the door.
"I'll get it." Kankuro said, already to the door.
Gaara took one last glance at himself. His red hair was brushed into place, and he wore something he found a bit more decent than his normal attire.
Temari grabbed his hand, "You'll be fine."
Two men awaited them and stated they were they're escorts for the night.
They followed the men, hoping for the best.
The Hyuuga property was breathtaking. An immense mansion with warm earth colored browns, beiges, and crèmes painted to give it a welcoming look.
Gaara walked up the front steps and knocked the door. His siblings trailed behind him after arranging the return of the escorts with the two men.
There was an uncomfortable silence, and then the door swung open revealing a very built, powerful looking man.
The man stood tall and looked full of authority. His violet eyes gazed at Gaara with all seriousness.
"Good evening, I assume you are Gaara? The Kazekage of the Sand?" His voice was piercing and clear.
"Yes."
"I am Hinata's father. Hiashi. It is an honor to meet you." He said, raising his hand.
Gaara shook it while replying, "It is a pleasure to meet you as well."
Hiashi then welcomed him and his siblings in. Gaara couldn't keep his eyes off the exquisite furniture, art, displays and designs that surrounded him. Antics were placed on ledges and what appeared to be words written with gold paint on every door frame.
Hiashi led them to a large room with a long table which could probably hold about a dozen people.
"Everyone will be down in just a moment." He stated, and then whisked off to another room promising to be back shortly.
"This place is beautiful." Temari whispered her eyes on the silver chandelier that hung above the large table.
A door opened and a young woman walked in. She looked to be about fifteen years old. Her eyes held that same violet color and she wore a striking dress which showed off her figure. She approached them and looked at them dully, not even bothering to fake a smile.
"I am Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister." She muttered. She looked completely bored and eyed all three of them with not much interest until she looked as if she had had enough, and made herself comfortable at the dining table.
No less than a few seconds later did Hiashi return. "While we wait for Hinata, let's start dinner."
Hinata held the door handle, but couldn't turn it. Why did she have to marry? But she had no choice. Her father always saw her as useless. For her to marry someone with power would be the only kind of honor she could bring her family.
She sighed and looked at herself once more. Her long hair flowed down her back, and her appealing dress shimmered silver in the light.
When she woke up in the hospital, she didn't know why she was there, or what had happened to her. Tsunade told her about how she had turned into a statue but none of it rung a bell.
Now she was back where she started, just about a week ago…dreading this engagement that was forced on her. She ran her hand through her hair, nerves attacking her.
"It's now or never." She whispered and opened her bedroom room door.
"Oh!" She shrieked, as a figure nearly collided with her.
Neji store at her momentarily. "Shouldn't you be downstairs with your fiancée?" He asked.
Hinata didn't answer. Her and her cousin never had been on the best terms; she strode past him and made her way down to the dining room table.
She paused before going down the stairs to take a look at who was there. Her father was sitting at the head of the table of course. Hanabi sat on the right side of him, then sat a man who was so indulged in the food she couldn't quite describe him, then a blond haired woman, and opposite to her sat a red haired man.
She took a deep breath and walked down the stairs, all eyes were on her now.
Gaara watched Hinata gracefully walk down the steps. She looked utterly stunning compared to when he first plucked her out of that pile of stone.
She halted at the base of the staircase, it was as if she was unsure of what to do next.
"Your seat has been arranged, Hinata." Hiashi said, He motioned for the empty spot on his left side next to Gaara.
She scurried over to her seat and sat, keeping her head down to escape any eye contact.
He figured now was his chance, "Hinata?"
She raised her head and gazed at him. Her eyes had the same violet shade to them.
"I'm Gaara, the Kazekage of the Sand. It is a pleasure to meet you seeing as how…" He trailed off.
Hinata had a strange look on her face, then, she suddenly sneezed. But it wasn't what you would call a "normal" sneeze, she flung herself at the table to keep her balance.
Unfortunately, her doing so caused a glass of grape juice to tip over, and land all over her hair and dress.
She gasped quickly, and sat up. Revealing her wet, dripping hair, and the once beautiful gown stained a dark purple.
There was an awkward silence.
Without another word, she all but ran back upstairs, slamming a door behind her.
Hiashi sighed, "Waiter, There has been a spill."
Hanabi smirked and looked as if she was holding in a fit of laughter. While Temari had a worried look on her face, maybe she felt bad for the girl.
Gaara wasn't quite sure how to react. Not only did he not get to properly say who he was, but she completely ran off…maybe she was more nervous than he could ever imagine.
It was now about eight-thirty. Temari and Kankuro were by the front doors, awaiting their escorts.
The dinner was pleasant. Gaara felt like he had painted a good impression, although, Hinata never did come back downstairs.
No one however, bothered to retrieve her. It made him feel as though this engagement was forced on her part as well, and she had no say in the matter.
"Would you mind if I say goodbye to her before I leave?" He asked.
"Go ahead." Hiashi concluded, never taking his eyes off of some type of scroll he read.
Gaara walked upstairs, and peered down the long hallway. He spotted a door with engraved letters in purple spelling her name.
He knocked.
A few moments later she opened it. Her hair was now pulled back in one and had changed into baggy clothes.
A shocked expression came over her face. "W-What are you doing here?" She asked, clearly a bit shaken.
"I just wanted to see you before I leave…" He said.
She nodded, "Thank you…I apologize for tonight." Her voice was so quiet; if he weren't directly in front of her he might not have heard it.
Suddenly, she straightened up, and her eyes seemed a bit more alert. She tore away from her bedroom door and darted to her window.
She seemed to be very focused on something outside. She grabbed the ledge and tore it open. "Get away from here!" She screamed at something or someone outside.
When she turned back to Gaara, she had a troubled look on her face. "Sorry…again. I'll have to make it up to you." She said.
Gaara was beginning to wonder if the girl who stood before him had mental problems.
"I'll see you tomorrow." She said, dismissing anymore conversation.
"Goodnight." Gaara replied, and left the Hyuuga mansion.
Dynamite