Sasuke lay on his pallet in the small but clean cell. His head was pounding, thinking of what he said. Throwing his hands to his face he mumbled…"IDIOT".
He asked Tsunade for a wife first and then for Hinata to be that wife and he couldn't believe the words slipped so easily from his mouth. He could have requested his family estates, a place in anbu shit a lifetimes supply of ramen but the Hyuuga!.
What was he thinking, he should have just stabbed himself in the foot with a shuriken and he punched the wall in frustration. Feeling like a fool he rolled his feet of the pallet and leaned forward with elbows on knees and hands fisting his hair.
Jugo's voice cut through his melancholy and Sasuke was brought back to reality "You seem agitated". Sasuke chuckled at the directness of his companion and replied with "hn".
Suigetsu stirred as he heard the exchange "ne Sasuke, dun worry, I'm sure that once they see that pretty face of yours they'll realize they need to protect it as part of the natural beauty of Konoha movement". Jugo responded "I doubt that such a 'movement' exists and even then, preserving a head would easier then preserving a living individual".
Suigetsu was flabbergasted "that's just weird Jugo, you spent way too much time in Ooruchimarus labs and around those freaky jars, besides if that doesn't work I'm sure his fangirls will riot and break us out, hehehe, rabid females with torches and pick axes".
Sasuke sighed as his companions conversation drifted to more unrealistic avenues as their speech caused the near empty chambers to echo slightly.
Pulling his hands down over his face he realized his woeful wedding proposition to Tsunade was the lest of his problems as he felt the sanity slip, if he did indeed survive this he would most likely bury himself in training to avoid death by embarrassment. Uchihas did not suffer embarrassment.
Gaara sat at the large table with his hands intertwined as he awaited the beginning of his meeting with Tsunade. He had made a request to discuss the alliance between the sand and leaf while in Konoha as Temari and Kankuro had suggested.
It was hoped to further encourage union between to the two lands with commercial and cultural exchange. While the sand had wished to gain more knowledge of training regimes to further aide their shinobi but also increase medical nin skills with the assistance of the famed medical sannin and her trainees.
With all this in mind he had one lingering thought, Hinata Hyuuga. Two months prior Hinata, with Shino and Kiba had led a tracking mission to aide the sand in locating a group of thugs that had attacked the sand village during the war efforts.
After finding them the group of sand and leaf shinobi found they had actually been an organized group of nin.
Gaara had read the mission reports of each sand ninja that had been present and had become curious after the reports detailed the Hyuuga's actions in battle. She had been selfless in the defense of her comrades, both sand and leaf alike and deadly in the reprisal.
He had queried his siblings for any knowledge they may have of the Hyuuga's in general and Hinata directly but felt an alien churning of his stomach and Temari disclosed information of a conversation between Shikamaru and Naruto. The girl was in love with the blonde and it had been apparent to all but Naruto himself.
After he had aired his query both Temari and Kankuro became annoyingly curious with his enquiries. He had answered their questions with a simple "she intrigues me" and had left it at that.
Before the leaf shinobi had left to return to their homes he requested a meeting to give his thanks and to survey the female that called his attention. Temari had insisted on being present when she heard of the meeting and had said with strange enthusiasm that she wanted to 'support' her little brother during the exchange and Kankuro had chuckled for some reason.
Gaara didn't understand his sister but at the same time he couldn't say he understood his own actions. The informal meet wasn't part of protocol nor was the mission special enough to warrant the attention of a kage. He was realizing his strange behavior would be noted by not just his siblings but Baki aswell.
Before he had time to ponder the situation further he heard a knock at the door. He took a deep breath before summoning them to his office and found his heart race as she entered. She stood at the centre with her male companions either side and one had a large white dog accompany him. While his face had remained emotionless his heart began to race as his sight settled on her.
He sat there motionless as he observed her in detail, what he presumed was longhair disappeared behind her shoulders while a fringe shadowed her forehead stopping above her eyes. He was somewhat taken in by the beauty of the pearlescent orbs as he realized that like him she was pupiless.
Temari coughed and brought him out of his silent appraisal and he proceeded to thank them for their service, hoped their stay was comfortable and looked forward to any future business they make work together on. With that they were dismissed by Temari as he simply sat and eyed the female, watching her leave and hearing the dogshinobi comment "that was weird.
Once alone his sister had smirked at him and put her face in front of his calling on his undivided attention. "So little brother did you like what you saw". Raising a hairless brow he responded "I have no idea what you mean Temari". At this she laughed holding her stomach "Of course you don't little brother, you haven't liked a girl before this have you?".
Dumbstruck he simply looked at her while she continued laughing "you may not know it but me and Kankuro do, you haven't paid this much attention to anything save your duties as Kazekage ever, that and we know about your 'tracking of trackers' AND I've seen a mission request to Konoha with HER name on it."
She was smiling between chuckles and prancing around his office like and idiot humming some tune he didn't know while he ignored her. Baki choose to enter with documents he needed signed during this 'festival' and asked what she was doing.
Temari cheerily responded "it's the happy dance", Baki looked to Gaara then back to the woman who was attempting cartwheels. 'What's the happy occasion" Temari Was beaming with a smile from ear to ear as she replied "Gaara LIKES a girl". Baki unceremoniously dropped what he was holding to look at Gaara who shrugged "I have no idea what she means".
Baki stooped to reclaim his lost "it's the Konoha ninja he had us watch right" By this point Temari had her arm around Gaara's shoulder with her face pressed against his, she began nodding so enthusiastically that Gaaras head moved with hers. "yep and he just finished saying goodbye to her AND said he looked forward to seeing her again" Temari hadn't stopped moving her head as Gaara palmed her face and held her at arms length. "Actually what I said was I looked forward to working with the Konoha forces, that aside Temari could you stop being such a freak, I simply wanted to thank them for a job well done.
Standing up straight Temari crossed her arms and looked at her brother "Suuuree you did, keep telling yourself that you've never been that 'gracious' to anyone, especially a female". Shaking his head Gaara retorted "Matsuri".
Temari nodded in agreeance before sighing "yea before she became a fangirl and turned into a mofo, just admit it you've found a girl you like".
Gaara had become frustrated with the conversation and looked to Baki for direction who shrugged. "Enough, in order to maintain good relations with our allies I saw fit to thank them for their work and that is ALL!".
Temari was about to argue further when Baki interrupted "Leave it Temari", she looked at him in defeat before he continued "He still has to learn these things". Temari fisted the air with a "yes" and nodded her head at Gaara in victory knowing Baki had sided with her before dashing from the room.
Gaara held his face in his hands while his head shook and glimpsed Baki through his fingers before gripping his desk asking Baki "Why egg her on". Baki had regained his papers and was sorting them on Gaaras desk when he answered in a matter-of-factly tone "Because she's right".
That had been the last of the discussion save the jibs both Temari and Kankuro gave him since which got worse after they found out Gaara had specifically requested the Hyuuga for two other missions in the weeks following.
He honestly believed he was simply curious and found the notion of "liking" the female as ludicrous. As Tsunade entered Gaara cast all thoughts of the female aside as Tsunade took her seat before speaking "Welcome Gaara, I wish to thank you for travelling here for the trial I hope you haven't had any issues".
Nodding his head in response she continued "Good" and they began to discuss the future agreements that would cement the alliance of the Sand and Leaf when she gave details of the trial like where and when.
Gaara had a thought, "Tsunade given that all Kages are present I trust that our trial 'guests' has adequate guards to protect all parties". It wasnt meant as an insult but as an honest query but the hokage was unoffended "No we have assigned a good group of Anbu aswell as some Jounin including Hinata Hyuuga the nin you have requested on multiple missions now so fear not".
Gaara felt his stomach knot at the mention of Hinata seemed to stir him in his seat, Tsunade took this to mean he was ready to leave and given they had gone over all that was required she decided to end the meeting.
Meanwhile in Gaara's head he was feeling the urge to visit the Uchiha.
Else where in the village a blonde had just informed a pinkette of an exchange between himself and a brunette.
"You what?" Naruto took a step back as crease marks formed on Sakura's forehead. "I-i-i-I didn't mean to, it just well happened".
Sakura's reaction was to maim apart of Naruto's flat as he continued begging for forgiveness. "Honestly Sakura I don't know what I was thinking ive just been confused and I only remembered what happened with Pein and since.." Sakura cut him off "Wait what happened with Pein?"
Naruto proceeded to explain Hinata's action and the pinkette suddenly felt shamed hearing of her comrades efforts to save the blonde. She hadn't realized that Hinata had made her confession and she saw herself standing with Sasuke begging him not to go.
She become absorbed in her own thoughts as Naruto began pouring out his apologies again. Looking to the blonde after he fell silent she realized that she may have been selfish but the fact that she had finally let go of Sasuke had spurred her anger.
"So now, you choose now to chase her and leave me? I realized the day we got Sasuke back that I wanted you! I choose you and now you leave me?" Her knuckles cracked as she cursed Kami for doing this to her, she felt that after all the years of Naruto chasing her and her giving herself over to him that Kami was laughing at her.
Naruto looked at Sakura in disbelief, the woman he has loved for an eternity wasnt just made about a kiss, she was pissed at the thought of losing him. He understood and stood strong in the wake of her rage.
"Sakura im not leaving you" the pinkette had stopped in her ranting to listen to him. "Like I said I had been confused and….and Im not anymore, Hinata has told me that if I ever hurt you she would make me pay and I promised her I never would".
Sakura was dumbstruck, Hinata had made him promise, a promise that he would never go back on just like every other. Naruto saw the pause and continued "Hinata told me that she would always love me but she wouldn't break the heart of a friend even at the cost of her own, I realise now she loves me but like she loves Kiba and Shino, she loves me as a brother".
Even saying the words Naruto still felt his heart ache, but he steeled himself as he looked at the beauty before him. He knew what he had this time and he would not lose it like he did with Hinata and added to this was the fact that Sakura had always been his first love.
Sakura sat down feeling the weight of his words hit her, she now understood that even if Hinata had wanted Naruto that she, like Sakura had for Sasuke, had put her feelings aside.
As Naruto joined her on the couch Sakura looked to him dazed and said "So you're not leaving me?" and Naruto shook his head. Sakura's relief forced her to hug the blonde who was stunned and returned the embrace.
"After a time they broke apart and Sakura had a smile on her face "Im really lucky to have you Naruto and just as lucky to have friends like her" she said looking into his eyes. "
He smiled until he saw a gleam in her eyes that sent a cold chill down his spine as she went on "And you're lucky you have the Kyuubi to heal you faster".
"Huh" was all he got out before Sakura's fist connected with his face, he got the hint and began running while Sakura screamed at him "Nnnnarrruuuttooo, get back here I might forgive you for what you've done but im still going to beat you on behalf of Hinata".
As she ran after Naruto hell bent on bringing him pain a last thought came to mind "Thank you Hinata, for being stronger than me" and then all turned to rage.
Hinata had entered the prison cell block with the rations of the day to overhear Suigetsu and Jugo discussing possible escape plans, no correction morbid fantasy's of scantily dressed women tunneling their way into the prison and begging the males to run away with them, no correction it was only Suigetsu rambling.
As she approached the first cell she saw Jugo sitting with a small rodent perched on his hand and recalling he had a penchant for animals she looked on curiously. He looked up at her and smiled as she delivered his meal and drink.
Continuing she reached Suigetsus cell as he continued prattling on without noticing her, she silently placed his meal on the metal shelf and turned to keep going but was stopped with "Heeeyyyy bright eyes how you been?".
Hinata mentally slapped herself for not being quicker but returned his smile before indulging him "G-good thank you" hoping he would leave it at that she walked away as he went on "Ya know bright eyes for someone that's as pretty and skilled as you I dunno why they wanted to put you down here with us…unless".
Hinata had turned to look at him as he positioned his arms between the bars, she had asked herself the same question but left it, she had an assignment and would complete it as required. "Meeting his eyes Suigetsu continued "they just wanted to torture me with your pretty face" she couldn't stop the blush from rising as she turned to finish the task.
Suigetsu was chuckling when she reached Sasuke's cell and she hadn't thought to look at the prisoner due to her embarrassment until he gave a command with a voice smooth as silk "ENOUGH Suigetsu".
Looking at the Uchiha she felt her breath hitch as he eyed her from his pallet. Sitting with legs crossed beneath him and arms crossed over his chest she felt herself heat internally.
A handsome beast would describe Sasuke Uchiha well, the handsome only becoming obvious to Hinata since they had met 4 days ago while the beast was common knowledge. She couldn't bring herself to look away as she began to wander what his chest would feel like to touch and had trouble keeping her eyes from him as she realized his sharingan was spinning, red eyes were analyzing her and she couldn't move.
Sharp whispers from Suigetsu's cell pulled her from her trance as she looked down the hall and heard a whisper "pfft or is it cause the famed Uchiha asked for your hand".
She dropped the tray in reaction to what she 'thought' she heard, looking back to the Uchiha who remained motionless, she bent to pick up the items before quickly placing them. She felt like she couldn't breath as she turned a bright red and with a final glance at Sasuke she turned and quickly but graciously exited the cell block.
Sasuke sat on his pallet studying the visions his Sharingan had recorded and smiled to himself. She was stunning without a doubt but just as skilled. He realized she had cloaked herself in a chakra 'shell' covering her body, a defense system that would keep her from physical attacks.
Even while he tried to tell himself he was assessing her skills he couldn't deny that he spent more time examining her lips and eyes and body in general. Suigetsu's musings and loud slurping brought him back to reality and with and inward curse he recalled what Suigetsu had said.
Pulling himself from his pallet he leaned his body against the cell bars before calling out "Suigetsu" a "yea" was the response.
"If we survive the trial I want you to know im going to kill you" and with that he returned to his pallet as he listened to Suigetsu's ranting some more and Jugo chuckling away to himself.
Smiling as he lay with hands behind his head he realized that no matter what his stay would be a blessing for now he knew who one of his guards was.