A/N: YAY SCHOOLS OUT!! I get to update a lot faster now! And as God, and you wonderful wonderful readers as witnesses I will finish this story before I go back to school. Which means those requests I got from people will be worked on as well!
Disclaimer: Smooth Criminal hint
Chapter: 39
Gaara sat in his office still stunned from the meeting with the council only a few minutes before.
Flashback
"Hinata Hyuuga."
The council was silent for a minute before looking at each other making Gaara suspicious. He opened his mouth to speak when an elder interrupted him.
End Flashback
The tower shook violently and Gaara was wrenched from his reverie and he stood to look out the window. An explosion appeared not too far above some of the houses in the village and Gaara's eyes unconsciously widened as he darted from the room heading for the roof to get a better look.
--Page Break--
Hinata walked home trying to ignore the whispers about her as the people continued their daily chores.
"I heard her and the Kazekage have something going on." One older woman whispered to her younger friend.
"Really because I know she's the heiress of the Hyuuga clan, I thought she would marry her cousin." The younger woman answered.
"Yes well I've heard that Sasuke Uchiha is back and he won't settle for anyone but her!' the shop keeper of a nearby stand butted into the conversation.
"Really?" a young girl said. "I thought she was with the Hokage and training, if she's not I still have a chance!"
Hinata sped up and closed her eyes her face red, she had no idea but she felt like she would be sick when they mentioned her marriage possibilities. She didn't know who she actually wanted to marry, and instead just thought it probably meant she wasn't ready for it. Suddenly the sound of a kunai whistling through the air towards her made her turn and catch the small grey dagger.
"I knew it." Shikamaru said, coming from nowhere and taking the knife from Hinata. "Your ears are better."
"Good guess Shikamaru-san," Hinata said smiling.
"I need to talk to you Hinata-san," Shikamaru said glancing at his feet nervously.
"Of course Shikamaru-san what do you need?" Hinata asked.
"We'll see I would usually ask Ino about it but she's in a depression right now and I…" Shikamaru was cut off by Hinata holding a hand out to stop him.
"You need help with the wedding don't you?" Hinata asked.
"Hai," Shikamaru said, scratching the back of his head.
"Well what exactly do you need help with?" Hinata asked again.
"Well I need to find a kimono to match Temari's I need a haircut I need flowers, I need food I nee…" he was stopped by Hinata's soft laughter.
"Why don't we go back to my house and we can talk about it there." Hinata suggested, not dismissing the curious eyes watching them.
"Alright, lead the way." Shikamaru said gesturing in front of him.
Hinata nodded and began to head back to her house.
--Page Break--
"Now you all might be wondering why you're here." Tsunade said looking around at the people crowding the conference table. "Demo this meeting is extremely important; it will decide the future of the village."
The room remained quiet. Tsunade looked over at the Hyuuga elder and head that sat quietly at one end. Next to them sat Karin who was positioned next to Sasuke. On his other side sat Kakashi and Sakura across from them sat the rest of team snake. And Naruto was seated faithfully next to the Hokage, Shizune on the other side.
"What is this meeting about that's so important?" Suigetsu asked.
"It's about," Tsunade glared. "The future of the two greatest clans in Konoha."
All eyes then shifted to Sasuke and Hiashi, but both of them stayed silent and impassive.
"Then why are we here?" Suigetsu asked impatiently.
"To discuss the one matter that will decide this all!" Tsunade snapped frustrated.
"And what is that exactly?" Karin asked.
"The marriage of Hinata Hyuuga." Tsunade said.
--Page Break--
(A/N: I'm going to try something out now so no flaming if you don't like it; the song is smooth criminal by Alien ant farm)
Deidara laughed maniacally as another of his clay spiders sent a sand Jounin to his death.
"I haven't had this much fun in a long while un!" he said. "Not since chasing the Hyuuga and her body guards!"
Another explosion sounded and Deidara let out another long laugh.
As he came into the window
It was the sound of
A crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on
The carpet
Sasori watched from his spot at the entrance of the village, next to the Jounin he had under his control.
"Deidara just finish it already." The young man sighed bored even though the blonde wouldn't be able to hear him.
Deidara watched in pleasure as another one of his beautiful creations exploded over the village. Suddenly something caught his eye at the top of the Kazekage tower. He giggled as he turned his bird towards his main target.
She was sitting at the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down, it was
Her doom
He landed safely with his bird on the top of the tower just across from the Kazekage.
"Ah Gaara-chan un!" Deidara teased.
Gaara remained silent and composed, seizing up his opponent. Deidara frowned slightly seeing his taunting wasn't working. Then he got an idea a smile creeping over his face.
"So how's Hinata-chan un?" he asked.
The Kazekage's eyes widened a fraction but Deidara still noticed it and let out another laugh.
"She was cute un," he said as if the Kazekage wasn't there.
Annie, are you OK
You OK
Are you OK, Annie
Annie, are you OK
You OK
Are you OK, Annie
Annie, are you OK
You OK
Are you OK, Annie
Annie, are you OK
You OK
Are you OK, Annie
"What do you think un?" Deidara asked turning his attention back to the red head.
"She does not concern you," Gaara said through gritted teeth.
"Oh a little touchy un?" Deidara asked.
"It's not that." Gaara said able to regain composure making Deidara angry. "She has nothing to do with why you're here."
Annie are you OK
Will you tell us that you're OK
There's a sign in the window
That he struck you - a crescendo Annie
He came into your apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
Then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom
"Yeah but she would make a great pet wouldn't she un?" he asked, malice evident in his voice.
Suddenly Gaara's sand shot towards him and Deidara had to think fast as he used his bird's wing as a shield. When the onslaught of sand ceased he slowly let his bird lower its wing and a sadistic smile spread over his face.
Annie are you OK
You OK
Are you OK Annie
Annie are you OK
You OK
Are you OK Annie
Annie are you OK
You OK
Are you OK Annie
You've been hit by
You've been struck by -
"Aw did I strike a nerve Gaara-chan un?" Deidara asked, barely blocking another sand attack.
A smooth criminal
Then the battle began.
(A/N: Since I can't describe battles for crap and I don't want to spoil to much of anything the next time you hear about Gaara and Deidara it will be at the end of their battle.)
--Page Break--
Neji walked next to Natsu through the hall way to the conference room, both laughing slightly loud. Natsu started to tip from lack of balance and Neji quickly scrambled to make sure she didn't fall.
"Are you ok Natsu-san?" Neji asked still keeping her standing upright.
"Yeah, but what is Genma-san and Anko-san doing?" Natsu asked.
Neji looked down the hall towards the two Jounin. They stood with their ears pressed to the conference room door.
"What are you two doing?" Neji asked, not bothering to keep his voice down.
Anko, Genma, and Ayame who wasn't visible from the floor all glared at the Hyuuga before shushing him and going back to the door. Natsu hobbled over to them and leaned against the door to hear what they were listening to. Her eyes widened and she backed away from the door.
"What is it Natsu-san?" Neji asked, a little worried at the girl's surprised expression.
Suddenly her brow furrowed and she stared angrily at the other three Jounin.
"You filthy rotten cheaters!" she cried.
"SHHHHHHHH!!" they all hissed at once.
"I can't believe your listening in on the meeting!" Natsu hissed back. "I would expect Genma-san and Anko-san to do it but Ayame! I thought you had better morals then that!"
The Jounin stood there in silent shame for a few seconds before Anko looked regretfully up at Natsu.
"We'll make room for you," she offered.
"Move." Was the only thing Natsu said as she pushed herself up against the door.
"Natsu-san I thought you had more morals then that!"Neji said astounded.
"Shh!" Natsu said before going back to listening.
Neji sighed and reluctantly joined them.
--Page Break--
Tsunade looked around the room as it was still quiet. Not even the Hyuuga spoke. Sighing the Hokage stood up.
"Well then it seems I will have to go first." Tsunade began. "I think Hyuuga Hinata should marry Uchiha Sasuke and unite the Hyuuga and the Uchiha clan."
Everyone's heads snapped towards the Hokage.
meanwhile outside the door
"HA!" Ayame whispered loudly. "I win!"
"You do not! You said it was going to be someone who would later reveal themselves!" Genma hissed back.
"Well Uchiha-san wasn't there when I said that!" Ayame said.
"She's got you there," Neji said.
"Shut up Neji!" Genma cried.
"SHHHH!" Anko and Natsu hissed.
Back inside the room
The room broke out into protests not a minute later. The only two people who stayed quiet was the Hokage and Sasuke.
"You can't! Sasuke is mine!" Karin cried.
"He doesn't deserve anyone!" Suigetsu countered. "And how is he supposed to hold up his end of the bargain when he's tied down to some broad!"
"I say we kill him!" Jugo sadistically offered.
"She is our heiress and we get to decide who she marries!" the elder of the Hyuuga clan shouted in his old weak voice.
"Hinata doesn't love him!" Sakura said.
"We should let him decide!" Kakashi insisted.
"Hinata should have a choice to!" Naruto retorted.
"Tsunade-sama what are you thinking!?" Shizune asked from her side.
"SHUT UP ALL OF YOU!" the Hokage cried making the room go silent once again. "The only person I haven't heard from is Sasuke, well Uchiha-san?"
All eyes were drawn to Sasuke and the Uchiha glared at the Hokage before becoming impassive once again.
"Yeah," he said simply.
"Yeah what?" Tsunade said, through gritted teeth as everyone was on the edge of their seats.
"I'll marry Hinata." Sasuke clarified.
"WHAT!?" Almost all the occupants of the room shouted.
"Demo what about Hinata?" Naruto asked.
"Sasuke you don't have to do this out of duty you know!" Sakura said.
"Why would you marry someone like her?" Karin asked.
"I have made my decision," Sasuke said holding his hand up to silence them.
"Sasuke you don't have to do this if you don't want to," Tsunade said.
"No, I actually can't really think of anyone else to rebuild my clan with so it's fine." Sasuke said crossing his arms.
"Any other opinions?" Tsunade asked.
"We'll go next," Stated Hiashi. "Due to Hyuuga clan rules she will have to marry another of the clan."
Outside the room
"What was it about that theory Ayame?" Genma chuckled watching the girl flush.
"That Hyuuga clan member will be…me," Neji said, making Natsu turn to him a little worried.
Back inside the room
"We have chosen Neji because of his strength," the elder concluded.
Everyone was silent at the table already predicting this. All except Naruto.
"What about Hinata? What about what she wants?" asked the blonde.
"This meeting has been decided boy!" the elder hissed. "Hinata will marry Neji and that is final."
With that the Hyuuga's stood to go as they opened the door the five Jounin fell into the room. Everyone looked at them in shook. Neji was the first to stand and he hung his head in shame as his uncle approached him.
"Neji I hope you know that there will be a punishment waiting for you when we get back to the compound." Hiashi said calmly.
"Yes uncle," Neji said leaving with his family.
Natsu stood next watching him go.
"Ha I WIN!!" cried Genma. "Fork your money over!"
"No!" Natsu said rounding on him. "In fact I say we make it a little more interesting."
"How?" Ayame asked.
"I'll put 6,000 on my guess," Natsu said, stunning everyone.
"Do you really have that much faith in your bet?" Anko asked.
"Yes and if you don't fold now." Natsu said.
There was silence for a moment before Genma grinned and gave his hand to Natsu.
"Alright I'm game." He said.
"So am I," Ayame said.
"Chicken Anko?" Genma asked when the spunky Jounin didn't say anything.
"You wish!" she growled. "I'm in!"
"Good!" Natsu said not noticing the angry Hokage standing behind them.
--Page Break--
Hinata opened the door to the manor and let Shikamaru in before entering the kitchen seeing her sister sitting at the counter.
"Hi Hinata-nee," Hannabi said slowly.
Hinata waved before going to find the tea kettle. Hannabi quickly jumped down from her chair and ran to her sibling.
"I'll do it!" Hannabi said taking the pot from her sister.
Hinata thanked her, making sure to make it sound like she still couldn't hear her sister to well. When she left the kitchen she saw Shikamaru sitting at the table, anxiously awaiting her return.
"Okay Shikamaru-san, first we'll talk about the food." Hinata began.
"Well Temari is going to be wearing a white kimono with beaded swans, and an off white lake." Shikamaru said.
"Okay then you should wear a black kimono," Hinata contemplated.
"Doesn't that seem a little depressing?" Shikamaru grumbled.
"No!" Hinata insisted. "It makes a beautiful contrast!"
Shikamaru continued to listen to her speech about how the theme should be black and white to show the bright contrast they had for each other and what a beautiful combination they make.
"I'm thirsty," Hinata commented out loud. "I'll go and check on the tea."
When she first entered the kitchen the tea sat on a tray on the counter she went to go get it but Hannabi whose back was to her returned with a box and began to dump its content in the kettle.
"Oh big sister," Hannabi said idly to herself but Hinata heard and she couldn't help but smile at her sisters generosity. "You will be gone soon."
Hinata's smile faded and she felt as if she would faint when she noticed the big black lettering on the box. RAT POISON.
--Page Break--
"You cannot beat me," Gaara said. "Give up."
"You're right I can't beat you un," Deidara panted. "Demo I can do the next best thing un."
With a few hand seals a huge bird that Gaara had never seen before. It immediately took flight and hovered over the central part of the village. The Kazekage took a step forward.
"Ah ah ah!" Deidara said. "One more step and I'll blow up the village un."
"Then what do I have to do to stop you?" Gaara asked, trying to find a way out of this.
But little did the Kazekage now a small bomb was situated behind him and Deidara blew it up knocking the Kazekage unconscious. Lifting him onto one of his birds Deidara flew himself and the Kazekage down to his partner.
"We need to hurry up," Sasori warned.
"Hai danna, let's go un," and Deidara led the way back into the desert from where they came.
A/N: Heres an extra long chapter for you guys so please forgive this last slow update. REVIEW PLEASE!! AND I WANT TO THANK ALL YOU AWESOME PEOPLE IN CELEBRSTION OF 805 REVIEWS!!