Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Or Japan. Must save up money.
Yeah sorry for the long skip. Vacation in Maine was fun. Please review.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! Stop! Man, that hurts. I'm sorry!" Naruto screamed. Sasuke, his buddy, his friend, was beating him up without a care. He was livid, his black eyes seeming to darken further as he punched the blonde harder in the stomach. Naruto fell on the ground, gasping for breath as Sasuke started to kick him.
"Don't ever touch her again. She's mine."
Sasuke stood up and glared again at the fool's head. Then he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off.
Naruto gritted his teeth in pain and anger. He forced himself to stand, but only managed to make it halfway, leaning on the wall of the school. His blues eyes showed hurt, sadness, and cold understanding.
"Hinata better love that bastard. I don't want to see her like this," he frowned and looked down at himself. "Damn. Better get to the nurse." He hopped awkwardly to the other side of the school.
By the end of the day, Hinata was more exhausted than she would care to admit. Kids had found out about the marriage and she hadn't been allowed a second of piece. Even paying attention in art, her best and favorite class had been hard, since the girls had moved their easels up to her and kept throwing her dirty looks.
She threw her bag on the floor and curled up into a ball on her bed. She groaned, thinking of all the homework she had to do. Reluctantly, she forced herself to finish all of it.
As the sky started to darken, a knock came at the door. Thinking it was Ino or Tenten, she threw the door open. When she saw the face opposite her, she nearly screamed. However, the figure moved quickly and moved forward into her room, clasping his hand on her face to keep her from uttering a word. As soon as the door was shut, he lowered his hand.
"Gaara," she whispered.
"Hinata." he said. His hair was plastered to his head, since the weather decided it was time to give a couple good burst of rain.
"Why are you here?"
He glared at her. It took her by surprise: he didn't have a reason to get angry right?
"That pink haired witch called me. She told me of a certain marriage that I found interesting."
Hinata gasped. "I'm so sorry for not telling you Gaara. It's just-"
"Don't toy with me, Hina. You knew what you were doing."
Hinata shook her head. "I don't like this either. Father has made his choice and I must obey." Her voice wavered.
Gaara ran his fingers through his hair. "Then don't obey him," he stated calmly.
"I can't! He'll disown me!" she yelled, startling even herself.
"Tell me this: Do you love him?"
Gaara was sitting on her bed. Hinata sat next to him, seeking out his warmth. Unable to talk she shook her head. That was all Gaara needed.
"Do you love me?"