Yachiru-san: Redone…long and very painful…Editing 7/23/08...LONGEST CHAPTER!!
Sorry for the delay peoples...heh...heh...by the way I really really hate this chapter. It took forever to write and then I went back and saw how extremely out of character it was so I had to write it ALL over again. Joy.
Yachiru: I love reading and writing fanfictions:D but I hate typing them - it's such a pain in the butt:(
xyoukaihunterx: Type them or I'll whip you!
Yachiru: (gets whipped) All right already!
An hour later...Yachiru is reading Gundam Seed fanfictions yet again...
xyoukaihunterx: (Uses Mangekyou Sharingan) You...will...type...fanfictions!
Yachiru: No! I'm reading! Plus...I have to read the new Harry Potter!
xyoukaihunterx: (Plays Orochimaru death music on ipod speakers) Dunn...Dunn...Dunn... GET TO IT!
Yachiru: (cowers in fear) Hai!
Itachi: xyoukiahunterx, you are weak because you don't own my Mangekyou Sharingan.
Yachiru: Yeah! That's right!
Itachi: And you...cursed Sasuke-fangirl...do not own Naruto!
Yachiru: (Cries in corner)
Here's chapter 8...enjoy it...I guess? Read and review! The more reviews I get gives me motivation and then I am able to get out the chapters a lot sooner. (Instead of watching anime! heh...heh)
Song: 11:11 P.M.
Artist: The All-American Rejects
Chapter 8
The young Kazekage sat at his desk working. Along with the war, and his little adventures getting lost in middle of the desert with Hyuuga Hinata – he barely had time to relax. Now the village's daimyo or feudal lord who supported Sunagakure, in the Land of Wind was pressuring the Kazekage to withdraw from territories captured by Suna from Kumo. This was Gaara's final decision after all. He honestly couldn't stand sitting through pointless meetings where all the elders did was argue for hours. His job now was to place Suna's shinobi guard patrol, even Konoha ANBU members (if they could afford it) and strengthen the security borders. After the capture of a Konoha shinobi, the eventual retrieval Kazekage arc, the fight between Gaara and the Raikage, well to say the least…Gaara was pretty much exhausted. Being tired was something he adapted after having the Shukaku extracted from him. It wasn't like him to let something this big pass by without having anything done about it. Gaara sighed; he just hoped that everything would eventually settle down for a bit.
There was a sudden knock on his door that caused the eighteen-year-old leader to look up. "Come in." He raised a brow.
In entered none other than the pride of the Hyuuga clan himself – Hyuuga Neji.
"Konichi Wa, Kazekage-sama." Replied an ever formal Neji with a bow of his head.
Another thing…although he technically was the Kazekage he really couldn't stand people calling him 'sama'. Gaara just simply wasn't the haughty type (A\N: Hotty type…oh yeah!) Sure, when he was about twelve it was nice to have people fear you, but too much respect wasn't exactly something he particularly craved. The red head laid down his ink and pen and looked up at the hesitant Hyuuga.
"Well…on behalf of Konoha and both the cadet and main branches of the Hyuuga clan I am ever grateful of your safe return and protection of Hyuuga Hinata." Neji stated formally.
Gaara really hated flowery speeches, but he resisted the urge to look annoyed. He then nodded his head. "As Kazekage I'm entitled to being everyone's unpaid bodyguard, right?" He said with a smirk. Neji paused momentarily. He for one did not understand Gaara's sense of humor or sarcasm for that matter. "Arrigatou- gozaimasu, Kazekage-sama." The tall Hyuuga then looked way. "Thank you for keeping an eye out for Hinata-sama, I really appreciate it." Neji said with a slightly troubled look on his face.
"I know that you're her cousin and entitled to look out for her," Gaara began, "but I think that she's capable of handling things on her own." He wasn't interested in picking a fight with Hinata's cousin…he just needed to make a statement. In Gaara's mind people needed to realize that Hinata wasn't a helpless Genin anymore, she had become a responsible Chuunin.
And a smart, resourceful kunoichi, too. And...beautiful. He thought subconsciously. Gaara wished he had an off button right now. This was possibly the worst time to be thinking thoughts like that. The last thing he needed was for Neji to somehow read his mind.
"Wakareimashta. Thank you again, Kazekage-sama." Neji bowed politely and was led out of Gaara's office by one of the shinobi guards.
The young Kazekage tried to recollect his thoughts before another person disturbed him, or more like barged in.
"Oi! Gaara! What's up dattebayo?!" Naruto shouted while entering Gaara's office. Naruto sat down on a chair, leaned back comfortably and managed to put his feet up on Gaara's desk.
"Oi, Naruto. Feet off the desk. Now what did you want to tell me about?"
"Now you remind me of Sakura-chan." Naruto said rolling his eyes.
"Still upset that you're not Hokage yet?" Gaara teased dipping his pen in the ink again. Naruto frowned.
"I'm just waiting for Ba-chan Tsunade to retire." Naruto retorted.
"Sure." Gaara said returning back to his work.
"Anyways, I just came to see how you're doing. It's not everyday that I get to hang out with one of my friends from Suna." The blonde explained. "By the way, where's Kankuro?"
"He's busy training. Why do you ask?" Gaara asked intently focused on his work.
"Oh, I lent him some volumes of my Icha Icha violence. I was wondering if I could have them back." Naruto responded casually.
"You gave those perverted books to Kankuro, again?" Gaara asked looking up in disbelief. A small vein popped out on his forehead. If he found one of those books lying around again, he swore…he would simply burn them.
"Yeah, so?" The careless shinobi retorted. Gaara sighed.
"Gaara, you're always working, you know that? Well, when I'm Hokage I'll have people do my work for me…like Sakura-chan!" Naruto said with a pervy grin.
"First of all…from the looks of your relationship so far…Haruno would kill you before becoming your slave."
Naruto gave a loud 'hmph'.
"And secondly…I do this because I'm entitled to as Kazekage. Being Hokage or Kage for that matter…you do have to write out all your reports, missions, meetings, and treaties." Gaara responded deadpan.
"Yeah…whatever." Naruto sighed. "That sucks."
"Well that's part of being Hokage, so get used to it."
"Oh! I remember what I wanted to tell you I mean ask you!" The blonde exclaimed suddenly perking up.
"Nani?" Gaara asked clearly bored and frustrated, he couldn't exactly work with the loud kitsune in his room and he had to finish writing this up today.
"But first…" Naruto leaned in and placed his hand on the side of his face like he was going to whisper something to Gaara that he wanted absolutely no one else to hear.
"Nandeska?" Gaara asked.
Naruto lowered his voice to a whisper. "I've been noticing this lately, but ever since you got back from your mission…well…" Naruto explained dragging it out on purpose.
"Just get to the point already." Gaara said with a bored look on his face.
"Do you…have a thing for Hinata? You know…" Naruto smirked pulling back. "Is she your…you know?" He asked moving his pinky finger up and down to signify well…that Hinata was Gaara's girlfriend.
"Nandayo?!" Gaara said under his breath with a death glare. He could feel his face flush a light red. He didn't mean to, of course, it was just the fact that someone could actually assume that flustered him. Hinata-san and I are just friends – that's all. He convinced himself. I don't even need anything like that anyway, so what is that baka thinking?
Inwardly Naruto was pleased with the results his prodding had rewarded him with, although Gaara's intensifying death glare was beginning to creep him out.
"Okay, gomen, sumimasen Gaara…I get it you don't like her!" Naruto raised his hands, palms facing Gaara in a sign of almost pleading.
Gaara's right brow twitched at the mention of 'you don't like her', but honestly what else was he supposed to do. We're just friends. No wait. Since when is she my friend?
Since you saved her. Another voice answered him in his head.
Naruto stuffed his hands in his pockets and mumbled pouting. "I just thought you should know, that I visited Hinata this morning with Sakura-chan…and well…she saw the flower you left her."
"So?" Gaara said returning to his work and pretending not to care.
"Heh heh! She thought it was from me!" Naruto replied jokingly. "But I told her it was from you and she started smiling, that's a good thing, no?" Naruto asked.
For a few brief seconds Gaara was actually happy. She liked it? He wondered. Maybe I should go visit her? He wondered. Even though Gaara was secretly pleased with what Naruto had told him, well he wasn't about to show it. Instead he pushed back his scroll, folded his arms and said, "So what?...you can leave now." in that blunt voice of his.
After all, this was Gaara. Gaara's first mutual attraction to anyone wasn't something he wanted to share with the world.
Naruto was sort of disappointed with Gaara's response. He liked prodding into his friend's so-called 'love life', even though it wasn't really any of his business – whatever was going on between the Kazekage and the Hyuuga – if there was even anything going at all. The blonde left it at that and told Gaara he'd catch up with him later before he left Suna for Konoha.
--
Gaara tried to focus on his work but his mind kept on drifting back to that Hyuuga girl. He decided he just couldn't concentrate; he then left his office for the hospital. Another thing about Gaara was how he absolutely despised hospitals. After spending two whole months recuperating after the Shukaku was taken out he was sick of being cooped up. The walls stared back at him white and emotionless and reminded him of how close Hinata had come to death. He just didn't want to think about it. That coupled with the strange moment between them where he had touched her face.
Hinata lay in the hospital bed covered in a heap of blankets. It wasn't particularly cold, but the hospital always kept their air on full blast. The pain in her leg was still pretty bad so she alternated between taking medicine and resting. This kunoichi's resting consisted mostly of sleeping, though. It was so unlike Hinata, unlike her very nature to rest. She was always on the go, training constantly to improve herself – no matter what. But her injury was a stumbling block – it left her unable to function for a whole week. Sakura had informed her that even though the poison was extremely dangerous, Hinata was undergoing a miraculously quick recovery. Normally it could take up to three weeks but in her case after a week Hinata would be back on her feet again. Perhaps it was her endless determination, Sakura thought as she nursed her friend back to health.
Hinata had been moved; the Kazekage was later informed. She was no longer in the infirmary, but now was placed in the recuperating ward in the western wing of the hospital. Gaara couldn't help feeling extremely uncomfortable – not to mention awkward – as he followed one of Suna's nurses down a long, spacey hallway.
"I believe Hyuuga-san is in room 307, to your right." The nurse directed him pointing to a door towards the end of the hall.
"Doomo." He answered.
"Good day, Kazekage-sama." The nurse said before politely bowing her head and going off to continue her work for the day.
He turned the door knob then stopped. Wait, why am I even going in here?
Because…
Because what? He couldn't help questioning himself.
Because she's my companion and teammate and…friend.
Friend?
Yeah…
Gaara took a quick look at his surroundings. The room was fairly small with a window, a bed, a small table, and a bunch of hospital equipment, which was heaped into a corner. His eyes wandered over to her bedside table where the rose he had brought four days ago lay. The flower stood upright and healthy in the clear glass vase. The red head didn't know why but it made him feel even more uncomfortable to know that he was the one who had brought it. He shifted his gaze to her sleeping form. He noticed that she appeared to be wearing some type of long-sleeved white hospital gown and her hair was tied back loosely. Hinata lay peacefully, eyes closed, hands grasping her blankets in a serene world of her own. He smiled to himself.
She was just so…well, he couldn't really explain it.
After almost a week, Gaara still found himself unable to explain this feeling – whatever it was that he felt around her.
Love, maybe?
No, he resolved because he still didn't quite comprehend that yet.
He pulled up a chair and sat by her bed watching her for a few moments before she woke up. Hinata blinked her eyes once then twice; her vision slowly coming to focus.
"Gaara-kun?" She asked meekly as she recognized the bright red hair.
"Nani?"
"N-nothing. I just…" She trailed off. He had come to visit her! Hinata was elated. She then decided to sit up propping herself into an upright position.
"How are you feeling? Any better?" Gaara asked her, his face near hers once again.
"Umm, a lot better. My leg is almost completely healed. That's good, ne?" Hinata smiled brightly at him without blushing once.
Gaara felt a warm touch in his chest – the same as when she had smiled at him when they were in the small village, just outside Suna. "H-hai." He half mumbled before he caught himself again. Stupid! I'm acting stupid again… He scolded himself inwardly.The young Kazekage was mesmerized by her pretty eyes; he just couldn't stop looking into them. Hinata was just so…beautiful. That was the only word capable of describing her appearance. Her long indigo hair ran past her shoulders. Two long strands of her silky hair framed her face. A sweet smile played on her lips. Her pastel lavender eyes continued to look up into his ice blue ones.
What is this…feeling?
Do I…Do I love her?
Was this what Naruto had meant when he said 'live to protect someone precious to you'…someone close to you…someone you care about…
Was this feeling love?
"Naruto-kun said you left me this flower, so I wanted to thank you." She interrupted him from his thoughts as a pink blush spread across her face.
He simply nodded; he was too entranced by her…her words…her smile…
What is wrong with me? He looked away trying to steady himself.
"So how are things?" She asked him cheerfully.
Gaara was amazed. Hinata had been wounded badly and almost killed, so how could she still talk to him with a smile on her face? "Busy." He answered bluntly causing her to giggle. "I mean, well…like sitting through Kazekage meetings and writing up reports…stuff like that." He confessed tipping back in his chair a little and looking away. "Oh," he continued, "Tsunade told me that you're returning to Konoha soon, right?" He asked her. He then proceeded to mentally berate himself for bringing up the subject.
Hinata cast her eyes sadly downward. "Hai, as soon as I am well enough to return home."
There was an awkward silence between them.
"Everyone left so far besides for Naruto and Haruno." Gaara said quietly breaking the silence. "Temari and I bid them farewell this morning."
"Oh." Was all she said in the smallest voice she could muster. She felt an aching pain in her chest. She had just gotten to know him. Not just a simple 'hello' and politeness as such when they had first encountered back in the Forest of Death during the second part of the Chuunin exams. She had really gotten to know him. Hinata now understood how much he really cared for his village and that he was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect the people who called him a leader. She knew about his feelings even if he almost never showed any emotion on his face, because he was still adjusting to having feelings and a conscious of his own – not the Shukaku's. She knew about the things he cared most about…like how much he cared for his siblings – even if he didn't always show it. And how he even cared for her. So why did she have to leave him so soon?
She looked back up at him. "D-did Neji-Nii-san ask about me, or did he say something about my Otohsan?"
Gaara really didn't want to tell her. "I-it's okay you can tell me." She said with apprehension written all over her face.
He proceeded in a serious voice. He couldn't let his own feelings for her…whatever they were…to interfere in her family matters. "Your cousin Neji…well…he was just worried about you, that's all."
There he had done it again – trying to protect her from the truth. Why couldn't he just flat out say it?
"Sometimes I wish he wouldn't worry about me so much…" She whispered looking away.
"What do you mean?" Gaara asked her.
"Sometimes…I just want to be myself…not worry what everyone else thinks."
"Then why don't you?"
While sitting up in bed, Hinata grasped her blankets tighter causing her knuckles to turn white. "Because…" She looked down at her hands and bit her lip. "I'm still…I'm s-still scared…"
"…of what?" He asked. Gaara really hoped she wouldn't start crying. He understood how after all this time…how her family still wouldn't accept her…and how much she still hurt on the inside. He had gone through nearly the same thing - only worse.
"…of losing…of b-being weak…" She tried to control her voice before her lavender eyes filled with tears.
"W-what are you talking about?" He asked a little startled. Why is she crying? I want to help her…but I can't…I just can't…
"I wasn't able to h-help you…" The tears started rolling down her now flushed cheeks. "B-back then…during the fight…you were bleeding s-so badly…I…I was s-so scared. You were hurt and…it was all because of m-me…because I'm so weak…" She swallowed and the next words she said became stuck in her throat. "…just like Otohsan says." The young Hyuuga tried to regain her composure…but failed miserably as more tears escaped from her long dark lashes.
Damn it… she's crying! Now what in the world am I supposed to do now?! He thought desperately. Gaara wanted to help her…to hold her…to comfort her…anything just to make her stop crying. But strangely he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
If I can't do anything…then...at least I should say something to her. He resolved.
Like what?
Anything…just something so that she'll stop crying.
He didn't even pause to think about what he was about to do - there was no time for that - he just did it, knowing that possibly he might regret it later.
"Hinata-san," he said placing one of his hands on top of hers and squeezing it gently.
"A-ahh?" The crying Hyuuga girl stuttered and looked up momentarily.
His ice blue eyes looked right into hers making her heart skip a beat. "Don't blame yourself for something like this…it wasn't because of you or anything like that and…I'm fine so there's nothing to worry about." He tried to reassure her. "Plus…I have my sand…you shouldn't worry about me."
"B-but…" Hinata stuttered the pink blush on her face spreading partly due to what he was saying and partly due to the fact that he held her hand gently.
"And back there…" he began looking away, "…when I was powerless against that Mist shinobi…well…you were able to keep on the offense…you fought well." He finished looking down. "When things like this happen…you can count on me…I'll protect you." He answered quietly.
She felt the warmness leave her hand as he let go. Gaara shifted uncomfortably before standing up. Hinata noticed that a light red tinge had spread across his face. He just couldn't meet her eyes.
"I…I need to go now and you need to rest." He said quickly before leaving.
Gaara then left the room with Hinata still laying there looking up in disbelief. She wiped away her tears with her fingers and sniffed.
Gaara-kun is so nice…She couldn't help thinking.
A tiny voice in her head added: He must really care about you. Hinata blushed harder. Well…I don't know. She briefly closed her eyes and memories flooded through of him kissing her forehead, their nights spent together stranded in the desert, his hand on her arm…the sound of his voice...his amazing smile which she had only seen once…his bright red hair…the way he was always concerned about her. She just couldn't take it. Suddenly it didn't seem so unlikely that maybe Gaara liked her back after all. But still…she couldn't help thinking.
What if he was just being nice?
--
Gaara felt suffocated. He couldn't stay with her any longer which was why he had left.
I…I really do love her. He thought standing on the balcony outside the Kazekage office. What's wrong with me? I don't…I can't…but I just…
He gripped the railing and looked at the village below. Only she understood him. Hinata cared about the village the same way that he did. She had dreams and aspirations. He was scared to love her…and yet he couldn't help it. She had become everything to him.
And now she was leaving. Everything good, everything he cared about had at one point been taken way from him.
But…why her?
And why now?
Next chapter: More fluffiness! I know even this amount is already making me sick...but the readers seem to be lovin' it!...(sighs) Plus...everyone has to get back in character! Damn it! Especially Gaara! (Points finger at him)
Gaara: Me? What did I do? I'm just following your stupid script. Dumbass.
Yachiru: (Twitches) I'm having a problem with everyone lately! And you Naruto...have to stop saying dattebayo too much!
Naruto: Nani dattebayo?!
Y: (Twitches some more) Kankuro...start acting more brotherly! I mean in Shippuden you're like crying over Gaara and here...? You just use this as an excuse to get into fights with him!
Gaara: You were crying over me? (Smirks)
Kankuro: Urusei! I wasn't doing any of that! (Sulks and mumbles to himself) Nobody understands me except you Karasu...right?
Y: Neji, you have to quit being so protective over Hinata...who has got to stop stuttering!
Hinata: W-what?
Y: Temari...please discipline Kankuro! You as the older sister should stop him from reading this porn!(Waves book)
Temari: Kankuro!
Kankuro: (Blushes) It's not porn damn it! Why don't you just see for yourself!
Y: (Opens it up slowly before...)
Kakashi: (Whips it away) I believe I'll be taking that!
Y: B-but Kakashi-sensei!
Kakashi: I believe you are still underage. Well then...ja ne! (Waves and disappaers)
Y: (Sends Kankuro a death glare) Everyone better get back in character!
Everyone: (Grumbles)
Anyways, please tell me what you think of my story! I would LOVE to have comments, suggestions, questions, just...anything! (No flames, please!) Oh and by the way this story gets better...so please do not give up reading it even after this extremely sucky chapter! If I'm not reading Harry Potter or watching Shippuden or Gundam Seed then I'll be typing up the next chapter. Ja ne!
Japanese Words
Konichi Wa: Good Afternoon
Arrigatou gozaimasu: Thank you very much
Wakareimashta: I understand
Oi: Hey!
Ba-chan: Old lady (This is demeaning and is used as slang. - xyoukiahunterx)
Icha Icha (Violence): As in 'Make-out Paradise' or 'Make-out Violence' - xyoukaihunterx
Kitsune: Fox (As a direct reference to the kyuubi - fox demon. - xyoukihunterx
Nandeska: What is it?
Nandayo: What the hell?!
Baka: Idiot, stupid
Sumimasen: Please excuse my behavior! (Or 'excuse me'. - xyoukihunterx)
Doomo: Thanks
Nii-san: Big brother (As opposed to 'Nee-san' which means big sister. - xyoukihunterx)
Otohsan: Father
Nani dattebayo: What?!
Thanks again to xyoukihunterx (who's actually my sister) for help on all the Japanese stuff! And to my other sister...Evil Hell Butterfly for annoying me enough that I actually got to typing this story!
See you next chapter!
