A/N: Okay I hope to get this out by Saturday but I don't know how effective this will be so please do not flame me if it sucks.
What happened in the last chapter: Gaara and Hinata had a secret rendezvous the morning before the festival to announce the Jounin's. Hinata and her team all passed and Naruto is to begin his training as Hokage. However the stage they had all been standing on exploded. And Sasuke's back!?
Disclaimer: :( (yes stare on in envy of my awesome frown face!)
Chapter: 38
The Hyuuga was a very prideful family. Everything they had was the best, the best ninja, the best houses and even the best servants. Hinata sighed, wondering why everything had to be a contest with her family. Her pale feet were dipped into their small koi pond and she frowned, knowing that even the garden that she sat in was a show of Hyuuga pride. She felt movement next to her and she looked up to see her younger sister carrying a tray with tea and cookies for them to share. Hannabi set the tray down, placed her own feet in the pond before serving her sister some tea.
"Thank you." Hinata said graciously accepting the cup.
"You're welcome," Hannabi mouthed slowly so her sister could read her lips.
Hinata nodded before adjusting the bandages covering her ears. Tsunade had healed her ears but had told her to keep them covered for a while, and the thick gaze didn't allow her to hear anything. Luckily her Hyuuga eyes didn't fail her and she could read peoples lips. She looked down at her tea and fought a grimace.
It was thick and goopy, but it was also the first time her sister had ever made tea and it would be rude for her to dispose of it. Taking a deep breath she drank it all in one gulp. The taste was extremely bitter, resembling that of cough syrup but she kept her sweet smile on her face.
"I'm glad you like it!" Hannabi mouthed excitedly. "I'll go get you some more!"
Hinata wasn't able to catch everything her younger sister said but she could guess. She was about to call out to her but she was already back in the house. She decided to kick her legs while waiting. Suddenly she felt dizzy and her stomach dropped. Quickly she crawled over to the bushes and vomited. Her hair was tugged back gently and when she looked up Neji was there, standing over her and looking worried.
"It's time to go see Tsunade." He mouthed over dramatically.
She smiled, stood up and allowed herself to be led away by her cousin to the Hokage tower where she would have her check up.
--Page Break--
"Oba-chan!!" Naruto whined as he signed another paper. "I thought you were going to teach me how to be Hokage!"
"I am teaching you to be Hokage." Tsunade said sipping idly at a glass of Sake. "Paper work is essential for the strict diet of a village leader."
"When can I do something cool like questioning those ninja's from sound?" Naruto asked.
The room fell silent and Tsunade stared into her Sake cup as if looking for answers. Suddenly the clock on the wall struck noon.
"Come on Naruto." Tsunade said placing her cup down and striding towards the door.
"We're going to do something fun now?" he asked excitedly.
"Nope, there is a checkup I have to make and a meeting we have to attend. " Tsunade said.
Naruto groaned but followed his superior out of the office.
--Page Break--
"Gaara the meeting starts in a few minutes!" Temari urged him.
"Yes and I may take my time." Gaara said sitting back in his office chair gazing out the window.
"No you can't!" Temari said pulling at her younger brothers sleeve.
"Why not?" he asked boredly.
"Because we have to work on the speech you're going to use to get me and Shikamaru's engagement cleared!" Temari said desperately.
"Shikamaru and I." Kankurou corrected primly.
Temari looked as if she was about to punch him in the face, but Gaara stopped her.
"You both need to calm down," Gaara said sagely. "I know what to say Temari."
"Are you sure?" Temari said fretting her bottom lip with her teeth. "I know you don't like him and this is a hassle, I can appeal to the council myself and…"
Gaara raising his hand and silencing her cut off Temari. He turned away so he could continue to prepare for his meeting by picking up a small paper.
Flash Back
Gaara sat next to the hospital bed that Hinata slept comfortably in his hand he held a scroll and a bunch of papers with four pens and one pencil. He tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the Hyuuga to wake.
"Gaara are you ok?" Hinata asked louder than usual. "Do you need me for something?"
Gaara nodded and pointed to the papers before beginning a bunch of strange movements hoping to depict what he needed from her. Hinata didn't understand at all but began to laugh and clap.
"Gaara-kun I can read lips, just talk to me. No need for charades." Hinata said.
Gaara looked deadpan but followed his friend's orders, feeling resentment towards his stupidity.
"I need to write a speech trying to convince the council to accept Shikamaru's and Temari's engagement. I don't see what you see but I'm willing to give them a chance, so will you help me write something about them that will convince the council?" Gaara asked.
Hinata smiled softly and appreciatively, before leaning across the bed and giving Gaara a hug.
"Of course, where do I start?" Hinata asked, again her voice becoming a little louder each time she spoke.
Gaara handed her a pen and then held out all the paper to her, Hinata giggled at the high stack.
"Gaara-kun I'm not writing a book," Hinata joked before picking a small sheet of white paper.
End Flashback
"I have everything I need right here." Gaara commented.
"Gaara-sama the meeting is about to start." An anbu said, peeking his head through the door.
"Thank you." Gaara said before nodding to his two siblings and leaving his office.
--Page Break--
"All right Hinata say 'ah'" Tsunade said opening her own mouth as an example.
Hinata opened her mouth and Tsunade checked her tonsils and everything. When she finished checking she smiled.
"Now I'm going to check your ears," she said motioning to her own and Hinata nodded before turning sideways.
Tsunade gently unwrapped the bandages and it felt as if Hinata was pulled out of a coffin. She heard everything, even Naruto's breathing as he sat across the room on another examination table. Her heart pounded, she had no idea why but she was suddenly afraid, all the noises rushing at her at once. Both hands flew to her ears and bringing her knees up, before hiding her face. Tsunade saw her panicked expression and was about to go and comfort her but Naruto beat her to it. He hugged her and slowly tried to adjust her to the loud noises.
"Hinata?" Tsunade asked.
"Hai Tsunade-sama?" Hinata asked, in her normal voice.
Tsunade smiled and grabbed the Hyuuga's hands. Naruto looked up at his mentor in gratitude for letting him come with her for this check up.
"It seems that your ears have healed extremely well and extremely fast, I'd say you no longer need bandages." Tsunade said.
Hinata's face creased into a worried expression, she fidgeted slightly, which Tsunade didn't miss.
"What's wrong Hinata-chan?" Tsunade asked.
She looked down at her stomach and crossed her hands over her naval. Tsunade understood but Naruto looked at them curios.
"Alright I'll rewrap your ears." Tsunade said producing a gauze bandage.
"Demo I thought you said she was healed?" Naruto asked confused.
"She is, it's more of a…precaution." Tsunade said continuing to loosely wrap the bandages around her head.
"I still don't get it…" Naruto said.
"You don't have to get it," Tsunade said finishing.
Hinata stood up and was about to leave when Tsunade stopped her.
"Hinata, we're about to go and see the sound ninja I would like you to come." Tsunade said.
Hinata nodded and walked with Naruto and Tsunade to the large medical room where all the sound ninja were located.
--Page Break--
"Gaara-sama you said you had something to say before the council made it's final decision on Temari-sans, and Shikamaru-sans marriage." One elder said. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Gaara said rising from his seat, clenching the small paper in his hand, the words had been memorized.
Temari shifted uncomfortably and grabbed Kankurou and Matsuri's hand, all of them honorary guests, brought in for this specific decision.
The Kazekage closed his eyes and took a deep breath preparing to make is speech.
Flashback
"Done!" Hinata said, handing him the paper.
"But it's so short," he said blandly.
"The size of it doesn't matter!" Hinata said astounded. "It's the words!"
"Are you sure?" Gaara asked.
"Positive," Hinata reassured. "It will mean so much more coming from you though."
Gaara nodded and reread the words.
End flashback
--Page Break--
When they opened the door to the large medical room Naruto had to duck as a kunai was thrown at his head.
"Hey watch where you're throwing your shit!" Naruto cried.
"Watch where you're putting your damn head stupid!" a young man cried from across the room.
"Suigetsu calm yourself," an older man said.
"Shut up, Jugo." Suigetsu said.
The older man looked as if he was going to rise and punch him in the face but was cut off by a choked female voice from across the room.
"Will you both shut up!" the girl cried. "Sasuke-kun is waking up because of you idiots!"
The two young men were silenced and they all turned to the bed where Sasuke was laying. Tsunade pushed her way into the room and walked over to the bed. She examined the Uchiha for a few minutes while Hinata and Naruto stood there uncomfortably.
"Uchiha-san!" Tsunade said loudly, as the young man twitched. "Uchiha-san wake up!"
Sasuke's coal black eyes opened slowly and he gazed at the two women over him. The girl beside the bed began to shake with sobs of joy, while Tsunade continued her check up.
"Uchiha-san, I will have to ask you a few questions." Tsunade said.
She received no response, the Uchiha's hard gaze remaining the same.
"Uchiha-san if you don't answer me I will have no choice but to execute you." Tsunade said, but the fear of death drove him no closer to speaking. "Naruto, you try."
Naruto quickly jumped into action, walking to the bedside without a second thought. Hinata was now left by the door, the gazes from the other sound ninja on her. Suddenly the girl appeared in front of her.
"What are you idiots doing?" she asked.
"Staring at the fresh meat," Suigetsu smirked.
"She is very interesting, especially those eyes of hers." Jugo responded.
"Just leave her alone," the girl said.
"You can't make me," Suigetsu taunted.
"Yes I can!" she threatened popping her knuckles.
"Fine fine! I'll stop." Suigetsu said. "Prude." He murmured under his breath.
"What was that?" the girl snapped.
"Nothing your highness." Suigetsu said sarcastically.
"Suigetsu, you need to stop teasing Karin." Jugo said.
The young man was about to retort when a desperate cry from the other side of the room caught their attention.
"Teme!" Naruto screamed. "You've been gone for over two years and all you can do is stare at me!? Do you know what pain you caused Sakura? What pain you've caused Kakashi? What pain you've caused me?" Naruto said the last part quietly.
The Uchiha did not respond which only angered the blonde. Hinata and Karin acted simultaneously as Naruto raised his fist. In a blink of an eye, Karin had a kunai to the blonde's throat while Hinata was holding his large fist in her slightly smaller hand.
"Put the Kunai away," Tsunade said menacingly.
Karin did as she was told, but still stood uneasily, near Naruto.
"You need to calm down." Tsunade chastised.
"Demo…" Naruto began.
"No buts if you want to be Hokage you need to learn to keep your temper under control!" Tsunade snapped, leading Naruto away from the bed.
Karin looked at Hinata, expecting her to leave with the other two, but she didn't, instead she turned to the Uchiha. They stared at each other for a few minutes before a smirk broke out on the young man's face. Hinata kept her face straight however; as she reached behind her and pulled up the chair Karin was once sitting in.
"Sasuke," she began.
"You've healed quickly." He cut her off in a slightly strained voice.
Everyone sat quietly stunned for a few minutes before he said something else.
"Before it would have taken you forever to heal from something like this." He commented.
"Something I owe your brother," Hinata said, shocking him into silence. "Look, why won't you answer any of their questions? It would just be easier for us all."
Sasuke scoffed and turned his head away from her all seeing eyes.
"It won't benefit me," he said softly.
"What?" Hinata asked, unable to hear him through the unnecessary bandages.
"It won't benefit me!' he said turning back to her.
"What do you mean?" Hinata asked confused.
"All it will do is help me into an early grave!" he snapped.
"And since when is the great Sasuke Uchiha afraid of death?" Hinata asked. "You said those with true strength have nothing to fear, not even death!"
He was silenced, but he continued to stare at Hinata in awe.
"You aren't strong Sasuke Uchiha, you are weak, and instead of progressing you have regressed." Hinata said harshly. "Are you the same Sasuke Uchiha, who taught me the Taijutsu that has saved my life? Are you the same Sasuke that taught me friendship doesn't always consist of friendly terms? Or are you the Sasuke Uchiha, who gave up defeating his brother, or the Sasuke who is a coward. Or maybe you're the Sasuke who has succumbed to the life of a no good fugitive."
Silence. Karin was about to explode on Hinata when Sasuke began to laugh. He laughed softly and then slightly louder, stopping soon after because of the pain that shot through his body.
"Alright, I'll answer their damn questions." He said, making Hinata smile. "But I hope you know you're probably just helping me into an early grave."
"Well then tell me Sasuke why do you deserve to live?" Hinata asked.
With a little trouble Sasuke reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a ring. He showed Hinata the symbol making her gasp.
"I have information on this." He said.
--Page Break--
"After I had heard of Nara-san's proposal to my sister I went and saw him to ask him why. Ask him why he deserved her, he is not exceptionally skilled nor is he rich or of any importance in Konoha." Gaara said.
Temari winced at his harsh words not even noticing the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
"When I asked these questions he had no response but his words were unnecessary. The shirt he wore was old and torn, his coat worn, and his pants ripped, and his shoes so old and weather beaten that the water passed through them easily." Gaara continued, a wave of regret sweeping over Temari and she closed her eyes. "However I also could see the stars shine through his soul because of his great love."
Temari's eyes snapped open and she stared at Gaara astounded. But he didn't stop there and continued on.
"That day I began to understand what love must be, if it exists. When they are parted, they each feel the lack of the other half of themselves. They are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been lost. That is what I Imagine love to be like: incompleteness in absence." Gaara stated calmly. "And if someone like myself can see that then not even the heavens can deny the love these two have for each other. Thank you."
Gaara sat down after that, ignoring the clearly visible tears on his older sister's face. Temari felt such love towards her brother it took all her strength not to stand up and embrace him. Matsuri felt her cheeks heat up as she glanced towards the Kazekage, her heart rate accelerated and her heart brimming with love for him. While the girls were in euphoria Kankurou watched the reaction of the council members, some of them were not good.
"Alright." The head elder said, face stony. "It is time for the vote."
All the people sat in the room, held their breath waiting for the elder to continue speaking.
"All against…" he began.
Hands began to rise and in the end six people sat in their seats hands raised. Temari's heart sank, and tears began to flow down her face once again.
"All in favor…" he said.
Another six hands flew into the air Gaara's being first. Temari held her breath realizing that it had come to a tie and a revote would definitely have a bad outcome, and she dropped her eyes to the floor. Suddenly a gasp tore through the room and Temari reluctantly looked up. Chiyo, who never voted on council matters, thinking it was too much to bother with had raised her hand and voted in favor. Temari looked stunned, six voted nay and seven voted yay, which meant…
"It seems," the head elder began. "That Temari-san should prepare, for her wedding."
Temari rocketed out of her chair in gratitude before running over to Chiyo and sobbing on her shoulder. Kankurou hugged Matsuri who rejoiced along with the siblings. Gaara who was still sitting in his chair taking a deep breath, once again Hinata had come through for him.
"Alright alright!" Chiyo cried. "We have more matters to attend to so you three need to leave now."
Kankurou made it to the door and held it open as Matsuri practically danced through it. Temari left Chiyo's side and headed for the door, but not before stopping and hugging Gaara tightly. When the door closed, the elders all turned back to Gaara and the head elder stood up once again.
"While we are on the topic of marriage, you need to be married Kazekage-sama. An heir must be produced, and we would like to know if you have any one in mind." He finished.
Gaara sat there in silence for a few seconds before one name passed through his lips.
"Hinata Hyuuga."
--Page Break--
Two figures wondered through the dessert on their way to Suna. There red and black cloaks flowing in the wind.
"We need to make this quick." The shorter one said.
"I know danna, I know un."
A/N: Sorry I just love ending in a cliffie! But yeah, I have a feeling a lot of people will not be happy with the next chapter, but be rest assured that it will be very important to the plot. A day late but whatever! Finals start tommorow! But that also means shorter school days for me so expect the next chapter by Friday the latest. PLEASE REVIEW!!