Temari bravely went into her brother's room only to find him curled up with Hinata in his arms. He himself wasn't asleep but merely holding her there. She fit so perfectly in his arms like a puzzle. He looked up and saw Temari with her blonde hair tied up in its usual style and a smile on her face.

"Today is the big day Gaara! Today is that big party that we all go to. I just wanted to get Hinata ready for it while it's still early because there is much to be done."

Gaara rubbed Hinata's head thus waking her up. Her lilac-tainted eyes opened slowly as they adjusted to the light that was seeping through the window.

"Hey, you. Time to wake up, okay? Temari wants to bring you with her so you two can get ready for the costume ball the leaders of our clan throw on this day."

"Ball? Alright, I'll go."

She stretched within his arms then he let his precious prize go. He watched her grab some clothes he never saw before and guessed those are clothes they bought when she went out with his sister. She got dressed in the bathroom afterward she and Temari were off but Gaara caught a glimpse of his beloved. She was in a yellow tank top with shorts and navy flip flops but although this outfit was particularly sexy or glamorous, he loved it all the same. She felt good when the sun hi her shoulders and graced the mark on her back that she had uncovered in the bathroom. It had healed now, at least to her, and she loved it too much not to flaunt it.

"Okay first things first we have to get you a costume; something elaborate yet simple. You could go as a princess or something. I will go as a mermaid."

"Mermaid? I thought you would go as something fiercer."

"I was going to be a tiger but I decided that this nail polish is more like a mermaid so I let Kankuro be the tiger since his face paint reminds me of a tiger's stripes. You can be a dark princess since you're so light."

"Light?"

"Yeah you're benevolent so a dark princess would be the opposite."

They went into a store that usually had the best person to make costumes around but she was expensive, she AND her husband.

"Excuse me young lady but our costumes are much too pricey for the likes of you."

"Excuse ME but I am the Kazekage's daughter and this is the Lady Hyuga, heiress to the Hyuga fortune. We are both high class ladies if you ask me but if you really insist on insulting our stature then we will take our leave."

"No wait!" The lady was pretty old and her hands were withered from working but this old lady wasn't stupid and wouldn't turn down such formidable and wealthy people.

"Say how about we give you a special half off price?"

"That's better Shoga. Hmm I expected a nicer welcome from your greatest customer or has old age tainted your mind and you forgot?"

"Forgive me mistress Temari and Lady Hyuga, our deepest apology."

Temari winked at Hinata before telling the lady exactly what they wanted. They left after that but Hinata didn't know where they were heading until she saw a hair salon.

"Why are we going there?"

"Well tonight will be important and we need to be beautiful and I can't manage this tumbleweed and that hair is so short but I just know these guys can take care of you. Your hair is beautiful so it shouldn't be that hard to manage."

"B-beautiful?"

"Yeah I've told you this before now let's go we've got lots to do today….or maybe we should do this last. We haven't had breakfast so let's do that then we will check on the clothes which should be done by then because they start with a simple frock and make it fabulous if it's not done we'll go shoe shopping and accessory shopping."

Hinata nodded as they weaved their way through the crowded, hot, bustling streets of the Suna to a local restaurant that served western-styled food. They sat down and ordered their food, a big hearty western styled breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and buttery pancakes drowned in syrup. Temari folded her hands under her chin and smugly grinned.

"You love my brother, don't you?"

"Huh? Y-yeah. He l-loves me t-too, he t-told me y-yesterday."

"Did he now? So you guys are dating?"

"Y-yeah."

"Kawaii! I knew it would happen, I just knew! You guys are going to get married and have lots of little nieces and nephews for me!"

Hinata blushed furiously at the remark. Marriage? Children? Sex? All of these she thought of waiting for but where she came from kids at even younger ages than she were practically born married, to their cousins no less! She gasped. Neji was her betrothed and by law she was to marry him when the time came but she loved Gaara and her residence had changed not to mention she practically threw away her rights as a Hyuga heiress no matter how much Temari said she still was. Hinata played with the plastic ring she still wore and thoughts of all the things that happened and all the even better things to come and it made her overcome with joy. The food was scrumptious, every fluffy pancake was sweet with butter and syrup, every scrambled egg had cheese with good seasoning, and every piece of bacon was greasy but well cooked.

"MMM these pancakes are so good! The syrup is sweeter than honey!"

"Mhm. This bacon is the best. I'm addicted to it."

Hinata picked up her bacon and nibbled on it. It was good! After their meal they checked back on the seamstress who said she would be done in a few hours but she let them see a peek of their outfits.

"It's coming along great, Shoga. Keep up the good work and you might get a tip if I'm feeling up to it."

As they walked out Shoga whispered, in a most angered tone, "Little brat."

Temari didn't catch it but Hinata did. She turned around and met eye-to-eye with the seamstress Shoga. The Byakugan was activated giving her a fierce look as she walked toward the lady.

"Don't say such things about my Ane-San. She's kind, courageous, tough, and true, not a brat. I could tell her but she'd kill you which means our dresses wouldn't get done and I can't have that. Most recently I've gotten tougher and stronger but my heart is still pure so I am more than willing to spare you."

Hinata turned around and caught up with Temari, leaving the seamstress shaking with her needle in hand.

"Hey, what took you so long? Were you adding new things to the dress?"

"H-hai!"

"I bet it will look awesome, Imouto-chan. So let's do some shopping, Hn?"

"Alright!"

The two girls were no different than any teenage girl out there; both were overjoyed at the thought of shopping and when they found the perfect accessory or shoe they couldn't help but giggle. Hinata was alive, her soul was free from its cage and she could be a normal girl that wasn't restrained by rules, regulations, feelings, fighting, and a destiny that was already chosen for her. No, now she was a free bird that could spread its wings and fly far away. Her future now was determined but by her choosing, a future with Gaara and his family. They had found the perfect accessories and the perfect shoes but Hinata said she wasn't used to high heels so they got her a shoe with a small heel. They rested on a bench while drinking cold water and talked. A butterfly landed on Hinata's nose then fluttered away.

"They say that when a butterfly lands on you it means you have a pure soul and heart. It also means you're kind, gentle, and loving with the spirit that will not break but also that you aren't the violent type, unless necessary of course and you have lots of changes."

"It truly means all that?"

"That's what I was told. So far not one has landed on me so I must be tainted."

"That's not true! Maybe one just hasn't landed on you yet."

'Poor, sweet, naïve little Hinata. You truly see the good in everyone even if you know it's not there. I have done too much wrong in my past and I am indeed tainted, as is Kankuro and definitely Gaara. No butterfly will land on us, we've shed too much blood that was not our own.'

"Yeah, maybe you're right."

'Still, I want to raise your hopes and let you think I am worthy of a butterfly landing on me. I know flocks of them land on you for you are more pure than fresh fallen, driven snow.'

Gaara and Kankuro were out and about too doing the same things Temari and Hinata were doing.

"So I know I'm going to be a tiger, what are you going to be?"

"A prince. A demon prince, it seems fitting."

"Hmm It does. I just feel like that idea is overdone."

"It will be different. I think I'm rather excited for this year's ball and I'm usually not."

"I blame a certain girl with pupilless eyes."

"Yes, Hinata has changed me."

"That's great! You guys make a good couple. Like sun and rain, moon and the sun. So opposite yet you go together."

"Hmm…when did you get so poetic?"

"I've recently been reading lots of poetry. Temari thought I needed brushing up on my skills."

"When did you start listening to her?"

"Dunno. This is the season of change."

"Truly. Our costumes should be done by now so let's pick them up."

"Whatever you say Oni-san."

"Stop calling me that."

"Whatever you say Oni-san."

"Okay now you're really pissing me off."

"Sorry Oni-san."

"That's it."

Gaara whipped around and started chasing Kankuro with his sand rushing at Kankuro's heels. They hadn't played since Gaara was too little to remember but look at them now, chasing after each other like true brothers. Gaara caught him but they tumbled down and landed on top of each other in laughter. Kankuro grabbed his little brother in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles into that red hair.

"You know I love this new you, Gaara. I don't have to be so afraid of dying anymore. I love you, little bro."

Gaara looked up at his brother and smiled before biting his arm hard.

"Don't be so sure of yourself, I'd kill you if you pissed me off enough."

Gaara never knew just how much Temari and Kankuro loved him until most recently. Look at all they had done just to keep Hinata here, look at all the times they protected him, shed blood for him, prayed for him, killed for him, it was love. Now that he knew what love was and friendship he could better understand his feelings for them and he returned those feelings of sibling love. Kankuro smirked then he and Gaara got their outfits and went home. The seamstress had said that the ladies outfits would be done in an hour, seeing as they were so complicate and intricate and the boys' outfits didn't require much work.

"Hmm I wonder what they are going as, the girls."

"I just hope Temari isn't going as anything stupid again."

"Yeah like last time! What was she? A pig? I don't even know."

"It was an embarrassment to our name as children of the Kazekage."

"Yeah and to the sand village as well."

Kankuro touched his face lightly and frowned. Just the name Kazekage sent shivers through him. Their father was despicable and the only good thing he did was make them but he didn't really provide for them. Kankuro strived not to become his father in any way and it was his fear that he would but everyday somebody said they looked alike or even acted alike and this frightened Kankuro.

'I will not abandon my children. I will never try to kill one of them. I will never become what you are. Dishonorable, disgraceful, disgusting. I am not my father no matter how much we look alike and that fact alone sickens me. Why must I be cursed with this appearance that looks so much like yours? Damn your genes to hell. I wish I looked more like mother and not you. Now it seems my heart, my actions, my voice even, are of yours. I won't let this go unnoticed; I will fix it before it's too late!'

Hinata and Temari had just finished getting their hair done and were now picking up their outfits then headed home. Nobody was home though.

"So I see the boys are out getting their stuff as well. Huh, they will be here soon. Let's get you all dolled up. I love what they did with your hair! I'm surprised they could do that with yours, it being so short and all."

"Yeah it's nice."

They sat in Temari's room putting on their accessories and costumes. Temari did Hinata's makeup and her own as well. The boys came home and got ready in their own rooms then finally they all met in the living room to see each other's outfits. Kankuro was in an orange version of his outfit with black stripes all over it, sharpened nails, fake fangs and whiskers, and a black striped face with a black painted nose. Temari had a pink seashell top that exposed her stomach with a sparkling green bottom that was split in the middle and looked like it had little glittering green scales on it. On her feet were white high heels that had koi fish painted on them. She wore starfish earrings and a string of pearls were on her head with one pink pearl that drooped down to her forehead. Her hair was loose and wavy with sheen. Her eyelids were blue with pink at the edges and her eyeliner was sparkling green while her lips were an ocean blue and on the sides of her neck were drawn gills. She was holding a large, plastic koi in her hand and a fake triton in the other.

Gaara took on the outfit of a western-styled prince instead of the princes in Japan. He had a white button up shirt with epaulettes and a red sash with medals on his chest. He had plain black pants with boots and a most likely fake sword in a sheath that was tied to his waist but although his outfit was plain it was his accessories and makeup that made it amazing. Atop his crimson hair was a tarnished looking gold crown with black and red gems, also there were fake horns that were coming out of his head.

Hinata, though, had a very elaborate dress and makeup that, like Gaara's, told a story. Her sleeveless lilac dress with white skulls on it and black sashes and long black, fingerless gloves with rings on her dainty fingers. Her dress had a corset on the outside of it that was black and around her neck was a black choker with a large white skull hanging down from it that had glowing red eyes. Her lips were painted black as were the surrounded area around her eyes, like eyeliner but thicker.

She wore little white skulls as earrings and purple eye shadow and blue lines down her eyes to make it looks like she was crying. Her hair was piled to the side in a bun with lavender lilies woven through it, also a crown that a princess would wear but in the center was a menacing black skull with a bloody mouth and glowing eyes. Hinata had a black orb with tiny glowing lights inside it- (which was just a black painted glass orb with fireflies that had caught while they were out). She was indeed beautiful and the whole ensemble was radiating with creativity.

"Hinata…you look lovely."

"A-arigato G-Gaara-kun! Your outfit is a-amazing! I love it! You too, Kankuro, so kawaii!"

"I'm not kawaii, I'm a tiger, and I'm fierce!"

"Heh, save your breath Kankuro. You do look cute. Who's a good kitty?"

"Shut up Temari! You look like a drowned fish, not a mermaid."

"Why you!"

"Cease that infernal bickering and let's get on with this."

"Yeah…whatever. Let's go."

The four of them were walking on the way to the ball but Gaara seemed uneasy. He could feel them coming closer, Hinata's friends, and if they found her they would bring her home. Well he wouldn't stand for that but what he most feared was Hinata finding out and leaving him anyways because she'd be so upset and angered by his lies. He could always kill them now but what if Hinata saw? So many what ifs crossed his mind that he decided to leave it alone until later were up close then he and his siblings could kill them without Hinata knowing. He held Hinata's hand tight which made her blush.

"Hinata, I want you to know something."

"Hn?"

"I will protect you no matter what, just know that."

Hinata blushed brighter. They reached the party and everyone was amazed at how intricate and beautiful the sand siblings and Hinata's costumes were. The rest of the crowd had nice costumes but nothing could top theirs, especially Hinata and Gaara, who accidently ended up as a prince and princess duo. Hinata was hungry so Gaara led her to the table where all the snack foods were until the large dinner would be ready. He noticed a lot of men looking lustfully and romantically at HIS woman. He snarled at them all, never wanting their eyes to stray to his beloved.

"Hmm these are really good! You should try some Gaara."

"No thanks, I don't eat much and I'm not fond of sweets."

"Oh? Just try one of these spicy sushi rolls then. Come on, for me? A long time ago you made me eat a lizard so try this for me."

"Alright, only for you."

He used the chopsticks near the sushi to pick it up and place it in his mouth. Gaara was fonder of unusual or spicy foods and not so much savory and definitely not sweet but for his Hinata he's eat cavity-creating, tooth achingly, too sweet things. He watched her smile as he swallowed and remarked about how "not bad" it was and thought, 'Kami, she is beautiful. So beautiful. She will be mine forever. They will never take her away.' Neji finally escaped the forest and was in the village of the Suna, trying to locate his beloved cousin. He could feel her presence nearby but it wasn't strong it was as if the usual soft, sweet, breakable, innocent presence had left and in its place was something different yet still the same. As he was about to venture forth, Kiba and his search party arrived. Neji looked back at them with anger.

"Neji I didn't know you would be here. I thought you weren't looking for her."

"Well Ten-Ten, I am, but I'm not joining your foolish search party. I'm flying solo."

"Why? Join us! Our strength will be even greater with you," suggested Rock Lee

"This is my concern, not yours."

"It's all our concern! Hinata is our friend!" Yelled Naruto.

"Hey if he wants to do this alone then let him but just know that Hinata will come home either way."

"Just know that I will find her first. Us Hyuga's can sense where are brethren are and you can't sense her if her tracks are covered so have fun with that."

Neji was off into the whirling distance while Kiba was off to find clues for he did not smell her, not really. He didn't know where Gaara lived but when he asked around he soon found out but Gaara wasn't there so they left. When they explored a bit they found the seamstress Shoga.

"Have you seen a girl like this?"

Kiba held up the picture and the woman backed away in fear.

"Yes I've seen her. She's at the costume ball right now. Now leave me alone."

Kiba had no idea why the woman was so frightened of somebody as gentle as Hinata but with help from the villagers they located the costume ball along with Neji. Neji burst through the door first, causing an uproar. Hinata looked up and saw her cousin searching around for her.

"N-neji?"

Neji ran over to her but then Kiba and his search group busted in as well.

"K-kiba? S-shino? N-n-naruto? S-so many people are here…but why?"

"Damn," cursed Kankuro, "They found her."

"Hmm…there are so many. This isn't going to be easy," supposed Temari.

They all surrounded Hinata putting Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari on edge.

"W-what are you all doing here?"

"You were captured and we were worried about you so we came to retrieve you from this monster."

Hinata looked up at Kiba. "You were worried? You were…looking for me this whole time?"

"It's time to come home Hinata."

"Neji, you too? But-"

"Enough talk. We're going to kill this monstrous demon that has captured you and take you home."

"NO!"

Everyone looked at Hinata with shock.

"But Hinata why? Don't you want to come home? Hasn't he trapped you and hurt you?"

She saw and heard that Naruto said this and started crying in frustration.

"I was lied to. You all said nobody was looking for me and they were but that is not why I am crying for I know why you did this and I couldn't be happier. I was happier here than I was at home. You will not lay a finger on my Gaara-kun, do you hear me? Leave me be!"

"Enough of this foolishness Hinata, let's go home NOW!"

Neji grabbed Hinata's wrist all too hard making her squeal in pain. That was it, Gaara was officially pissed. His sand whipped out and knocked Neji on his two feet.

"Don't you touch my reason for existence! I may be a changed man but I will kill you all."

"Gaara…"

"Kankuro, Temari, get Hinata out of here."

"NO! I want to fight with you!"

"What's wrong with you Hinata? What have you done to her, brainwashed her?"

"I've done nothing of the sort, she merely wishes to remain here with me and live a long happy life."

"I'm not buying your bullshit you disgusting demon! Prepare to die!"

"Kiba wait don't! Maybe we should respect Hinata's wishes to stay here."

Kiba looked back at Naruto and the others and snarled, he was long gone to his very own demon and was hell bent on killing Gaara. Neji came to then tried to go after Hinata who was being forcefully taken away. Gaara's sand split and took on Neji as well.

"Leave her alone! Don't you touch her! I don't care how you're related, I'll crush you."

Shino aided Kiba in his battle, for his comrade he would fight to the death but what of Hinata? It seemed she wanted to stay here. Everyone was torn between wanting to respect Hinata and fighting for her so they decided to fight for all its worth for all they knew Hinata could indeed be brainwashed. It was tough, Gaara couldn't take them all and their unique specialty jutsus, especially Rock Lee who was fast as lightning. Temari and Kankuro simply HAD to help their little brother but they had to tell Hinata to stay put, as if that mattered for she didn't heed them. She ran to the aid of her newfound lover with her Byakugan activated.

"Hinata get back! What are you doing?"

"The final lesson, protect what is most important!"

"Hinata, do you intend to kill your comrades and friends? What's wrong with you? You've changed. You monster, you did this! Free her from your spell!"

"Stupid, mangy dog she is under no such spell. Now move back Hinata."

"Hinata you will come home with us now and stop acting like this. Do it or I swear to Kami we will kill him and his friends too."

It was quiet, Hinata couldn't kill her own friends and family but merely harm them and she would be no match for all of them but neither would Gaara. Her beloved would die, simple as that.

"I…I will go…as long as you don't hurt him…"

"Hinata…why…?"

'Hmm…now's my chance,' rumbled Shukaku.

Shukaku took control of Gaara's momentary weakness and unleashed himself.

'Fool boy. Didn't I tell you women are fickle? She wishes only to go back to them after all they did to her. She never loved you. Kill them and you shall have her and her alone. Kill them all!'

Gaara howled painfully as Shukaku broke through Gaara's mind and skin to appear in front of everyone. The demon was ghastly with sandy colored skin and golden eyes set into blacks instead of whites with extremely sharp and thick teeth and claws. He was larger than life itself with pointed ears and a tail. Everyone ran except for those in the search party, Neji, Kankuro, Temari, and Hinata.

"Gaara no!"

Shukaku laughed. "Gaara is far gone now. He couldn't take the heartbreak of you choosing to go back home so I took advantage of that but less talk and more blood!"

The tremendously large and terrifying demon turned toward the trembling search party and Neji.

"I think I'll devour you all first then I'll save that tender morsel over there for last. Now doesn't that make you feel special Hinata? Your delicious blood is worth waiting for so as an appetizer you can watch me eat all your little friends then Gaara can watch from my eyes as I eat you and I'll eat up his despair."

Shukaku went after the people who, try as they might, could not defeat him. Each one used their signature move on him but none prevailed, all were defeated and lay on the ground badly wounded leaving only Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba, and Neji.

"So you're all that's left? You're persistent bastards."

"Gaara stop this now! Please stop it!"

"Oh but you were so willing to hurt them in the name of your so called love? I think I'll kill you now since you're such a nuisance."

Hinata ran but to no avail, the demon slashed her arm with his claws but didn't kill her. Her unusually colored blood went everywhere, the scent surrounded the place, and Kankuro, Temari, Kiba, Naruto and the rest were all in shock and despair.

"HINATAAAA!" They all seemed to scream in unison.

She had fallen to the floor in pain while Shukaku laughed evilly.

"That delicious blood is everywhere. Ahh the scent. Ahh the look. It's beautiful on her porcelain skin. More. I want more! Huh…what's this…?"

Shukaku grabbed the sides of his head in anger.

"No! No! I will not let you out boy, I will not let you out!"

"He's battling with Gaara!" Kankuro yelled.

Temari ran over to the unconscious Hinata and tried to wake her up, tears stinging her eyes.

"G…g…Gaara…" Hinata whispered in her unconscious state.

That was it, it was enough to break Gaara out of his cage and into his usual form.

"No! No! How can you do this! How?!"

Gaara's voice, trembling and mixed with Shukaku's said:

"Love can do anything, Hinata taught me that much."

"Love doesn't exist, boy. Love is futile and so is resistance!"

"SILENCE! YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME ANYMORE! BE GONE!"

The agonizing, pain-filled howls of Shukaku reverberated off the walls of the room as at last the demon melted into the trembling form of its vessel, Gaara. Gaara rushed toward Hinata as soon as he could.

"What have I done? What have I done?"

For the first time since his uncle's death Gaara cried like a baby, his stream of light blue, salty tears running down his face. He had hurt his beloved badly, maybe even broken her arm and now she lay unconscious on the floor, possibly suffering head trauma because she fell so hard and it was all his fault! Kiba looked on and realized this was exactly his nightmare. Hinata, symbolically, in a cage, Kiba tried to free her, a demon attacked and hurt Hinata, the demon turned into Gaara who cried over Hinata's bloody body saying "what have I done?" Was it a premonition of things to come? It sure looked that way.

"You bastard you wounded her! Now I'll kill you!"

Temari and Kankuro stepped in front of Gaara and the unconscious Hinata, ready to protect them both even if it meant death. Temari had taken her fan with her just in case and Kankuro had his puppet.

"The only ones who will die are all of you."

"No….Temari, Kankuro don't. Let them be…I have failed my beloved, my reason for existence, my only, I have wronged her, lied to her and hurt her more times than I care to recall and now look at her, possibly dying because of me. She belongs with them, where it's truly safe, away from me and my terrible demon wrath. Because I learned to love and realized my love was in danger I could overcome Shukaku just this once, but I was lucky. Who's to say I will be lucky next time? Who's to say I won't kill her? I can't do that, I can't have that weight on my shoulders or her blood on my hands, no I love her too much. Let her live with them…let her go….let her be free."

"That's a good idea," Said Neji, walking over to his cousin's unconscious form after Temari and Kankuro parted.

"Are you sure, Gaara? We love her too, we can't bear to see her leave."

"If you love something, let it go. We don't want her to get hurt anymore and as much as we all want to keep her, we can't. We have to give her up Temari," said Kankuro in a pained almost whisper.

Temari looked from Gaara, to Hinata to Kankuro to Gaara then back to Kankuro before she settled on her decision.

"You are right. Come and take her. TAKE MY SISTER AWAY FROM ME!"

Temari shouted this, tears streaming down her face like waterfalls, Kankuro was crying too, his makeup running in black swirls down his cheeks like he was bleeding black.

'It's not just you who loves her so much you could die, you forget this child is like my daughter. I swore I'd protect my children when I had any and never let them come in harm's way and now look what happened…Have I really turned into my father? Will his past turn into my future and history will repeat itself? Am I doomed to the life my father led?'

Hinata's unconscious body was heaved over Neji shoulders. He and Kiba made eye contact, accepting each other while locked in hatred of each other as they both went off into the forest with each able bodied person carrying as many wounded people as possible, even Temari and Kankuro helped despite the fact that Kiba really didn't want them to. Gaara was left to weep over losing his true and only love, his reason for existence, his angel to his demon, to a mutt, his companions, and some boy that looked like Hinata. This broke his heart into small pieces which gave a window of opportunity for Shukaku to creep back up again.

'See boy? She left you for that mangy dog boy and his group out of fear of you. I told you once and will tell you again, females are fickle, wicked beasts and-'

'SHUT THE FUCK UP! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! I WISH YOU WOULD JUST LEAVE MY BODY EVEN IF IT MEANT MY DEATH!'

'Oh that can be done boy. Want me to kill you? Just let me out and I'll take away the pain.'

'Yes…the pain…it hurts so damn much it's like fire. I can't stop feeling remorse, guilt, hatred, and other feelings of pain. You cannot remedy it, only she can but I sent her far away. Safe from you. I will learn to suppress you forever or kill myself somehow for what is a life without her…perhaps…maybe I should let you out….just to kill me but if I do you will kill everyone and Hinata wouldn't like that…neither would I. If you love something let it go and if it comes back to you then it's meant to stay but I don't want her to come back.'

As Kankuro aided the wolf-like boy and his companions he kept thinking the same things over and over;

'Is this my fate? Is this my destiny? I tell myself I won't be like him and yet I've seemed to have made the same dishonorable mistakes. Is this truly my future? No, I carve my own path.'

He got the people to the hospital then watched with his sister from a tall building, watched Hinata being carried home by that cousin of hers.

'Farewell, for now, my little lily, the one I hold close to my heart as my sister, my kin, and even a daughter.'

Temari and Kankuro leapt back home, missing Hinata all the while but knowing that someday their paths would cross again.