A/N: I've 12 reviews...I'M SO HAPPY! That may not seem like much to some people but it's the most reviews I've had for any of my stories. Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review afterwards.

The Price of Honor

Chap. 5: A duty meant to be shared

Hinata once again woke up to an empty bed. Ever since their first night together, Gaara seemed to make an appoint to not stay in bed after the sun stated to rise. If Hinata was completely honest with herself, she was grateful that he didn't stay in bed by late morning. She felt hope that maybe he was taking his title of king seriously. Hinata wanted to assist Gaara with the things that were required of a ruler, but she could never get up the nerves to ask him. Whenever she tried to get to know Gaara or help him in anyway, she would feel as if she'd betrayed Sasuke.

Guilt caused her to stay distant. So for the past few weeks she's been cooped up into the house, only going out if it was a necessity. Hinata was slowly stating to feel the need to do something, anything that was productive.

'Maybe I can ask Gaara for something to do,' Hinata thought. She was positive she could help with something, 'I did rule this kingdom fine for nearly a year on my own.' With her mind finally made up, Hinata flew out of bed and got ready for the day ahead.

. . .

Gaara had just about enough of this damn kingdom, there were 'disrespect fucks' everywhere he turned. The council was nothing than a bunch of snobby bastards that wanted everything done their way. He had to see them bastards just about every day and he didn't know how long he could fight off the urge to kill. Sunagakure's council used to always be down Gaara's neck about every little thing he did and Gaara was fine with that as long as they had the people interest in heart, but Konohagakure's council seemed as if they could care less about the people until it was something they wanted to do.

'How the fuck was this gods forsaken kingdom ran before I got here?' It wasn't that Gaara needed help, he was just pissed that no one offered their help in a respectful manner. Then Gaara thought about Hinata, he certainly wasn't about to ask for help, less more help from her. He didn't want to strain the already growing awkwardness between them.

After entering the king's tower, he went to his office and slammed the door behind him. 'Good for nothing fucks,' Gaara thought as he sat at his desk. For some reason he just woke up pissed at the world today. Then Gaara heard a knock on the door, he really didn't feel like being bothered today.

"May I come in," some muffled voice said from the other side of the door.

"Yes, come in."

Shikamaru entered the king's office. He looked like his usual lazy self, seeming so indifferent about everything. "Good day my lord," Shikamaru said.

Gaara grumbled his response, "What can I help you with today councilman?"

"Actually I came here to help you," Shikamaru said in a matter-of-fact way. "You seem like you're a little lost, so I thought I'd give you some well need advice." Shikamaru assumed Gaara wouldn't mind, Hinata never did when he gave her advice. But everyone knows what happens to people who assume…

Gaara chuckled, this man obviously did not know who he was dealing with, but he was about to find out. "Look, I don't have time for some know-it-all councilman trying to tell me how do my job. And I really don't have the patience for you to figure that out. Now do yourself a favor, and get the hell out of my office." Gaara definitely didn't want help from this sublime arrogant bastard.

Shikamaru wasn't shocked by Gaara's response, although he did feel that Gaara got angry entirely too quickly. Since Gaara was so easily angered by a few missed placed words, Shikamaru worry about Hinata's well-being. "I was just offering my help to you, I really don't understand why you're so upset."

"No you weren't, you were question my intelligence and my ability to rule. I don't want your help nor do I need it." Gaara stated.

Shikamaru decided to push Gaara a little further to see what was Gaara's breaking point, "Well I think you do." And Shikamaru didn't have to wait long to see what was Gaara's breaking point.

Sand burst out of Gaara's gourd and pinned Shikamaru against the opposite wall. Gaara got up from his chair and walked to the front of his desk. Gaara thought today was a fine day to kill someone, "I told you, you should have left my office."

. . .

Hinata was dressed and ready to head to Gaara's office. When Tomoko was about to come with her, she insisted that Tomoko take the day off. Tomoko reluctantly accepted the generous offer. When Hinata swung the house door open she came face to face with… Sakura Haruno.

"I fucking hate you," Sakura said the first words she ever said to Hinata once again. Hinata actually wonder was that how Sakura introduce herself.

'May the gods give me strength,' Hinata prayed to herself as she looked heavenward. Hinata would try to be her most patient today, since Sakura is a grieving lover, but she felt it was truly improper for Sakura to come to her doorstep about this. Maybe Sakura will give a good rate and then leave her alone. Forever.

"I knew you were never worthy of being Sasuke's wife. I know you never loved him but for you to turn around and marry his murderer, what kind of sick bitch are you." Sakura's words stung. They stung a lot. "But I hear he's a cruel man," Sakura chuckled evilly. "Maybe he'll give you the beatings that you deserve." That comment went too far and all the patience Hinata once had went out the door.

"What makes y-you think you have the right to t-talk to me that way?" Hinata said softly. "How dare you judge me? You don't k-know the decisions I've had to make, the things I've been forced to do. And you come here, to my home, crying and moan as if you're the victim and I'm the villain." Hinata gained a little strength in her voice now. "Whatever happened between you and Sasuke was just between you and Sasuke. If he really loved you then he should have decline our marriage. I can only assume he didn't because of his action, so get over it and move along."

Sakura brought her hand up to her mouth, obviously shocked. Hinata felt a little bad when she saw hurt in Sakura's green eyes, but it was time for her to move on, it was time for both of them to move on. Hinata couldn't afford to give into her guilt. Her people couldn't afford for her to give into her guilt. And Hinata has been feeling guilty about various things for a long time.

"Do not mistake your privilege to speak freely at the complaints gathering as a right to speak to me any kind of way. I am your queen and you will respect me as such. I suggest you go home Miss Haruno, and don't ever return to my house again." Hinata said and then closed the door.

After closing the door, Hinata was frustrated and she needed time to herself so she could think. There were only two things Hinata did when she got like this, baking or gardening. Hinata hasn't had a garden since she left the Hyuuga household, but she did have a kitchen.

. . .

"Now you are going to die, councilman," Gaara declared.

"Why do you continue to call me 'councilman'? Do you not know who I am?" Shikamaru asked, not even struggling against the sand that pinned him to the wall.

"No, but you can tell me your name for your last words." Gaara said and looked at his hand as if the condition of his fingernails were much more interesting than Shikamaru's name.

Shikamaru smiled, "My name is Shikamaru, of the Nara clan."

"Oh, ok," Gaara said indifferently. He was about to curl his fingers into a fist to deliver the killing blow, until he looked up and saw….nothing.

"Did you know that I love my queen," Shikamaru's voice bombed throughout the room, but he was nowhere in sight. "She is an honorable person. And she has an aura about her that'll make a broken soul feel the need to fight for what's right."

"And why do you feel the need to tell me this, Nara?" Gaara asked, he didn't like the fact that he couldn't see Shikamaru. But what bothered Gaara most was that he couldn't tell if Shikamaru meant he loved Hinata in a romantic way or in a way the people sometimes love their rulers.

"I'm saying that if you hurt her, and others find out about it, you're going to have one hell of a revolt on your hands."

Gaara smirked, "I would expect nothing less." Now he could tell that Shikamaru loved Hinata as a citizen would love their queen.

Shikamaru body rematerialized in front of Gaara. "So that why you married her, so the people wouldn't riot against you."

"Of course," Gaara said. He leaned against his desk and student Shikamaru for only a moment. So Nara had the ability to dematerialize their bodies into shadows…interesting. "So you just came here to warn me rather than help me."

"I actually came here to see what type man you are…."

"And," Gaara asked impatiently.

Shikamaru shrugged, his expression quickly turned to boredom. "If you're basically using Hinata as a shield against the people, I'd expect you not to hurt that which protects you." When Gaara said nothing, Shikamaru took his silence as concurrence. He walked to the door and then paused, "But on a personal level, Hinata is a good woman and she deserves more than that." Shikamaru then left the room, not giving Gaara a chance to respond.

Gaara just stood in the room for a long while, thinking about what just happened. 'I fucking hate councilmen,' was the last thing he thought before returning to his desk.

. . .

The moon was high in the sky by the time Gaara returned home. When Gaara open the door he was greeted with an overwhelming scent of sweeties and flour. Gaara placed his gourd by the door and walked into the dining room. There he saw Lee, Tomoko, and several other servants sitting around the dining table chatting up a storm as they eat nothing but sweets that filled the table. Lee was the first to regard Gaara's presence and the others quickly followed suit, soon the room was filled with an awkward silence. The servants didn't know quite what to do and over half of them were scared of Gaara.

The silence was broke by a clankingly sound coming from the kitchen. Everyone turned towards the kitchen door, but Gaara was the only one who went to investigate the sound. After entering the kitchen Gaara saw Hinata sitting at the small kitchen table as she waited on her last batch of cinnamon rolls and cookies to bake. Hinata glanced at Gaara before turning her attention back to the cinnamon roll she was eating.

"We need to talk," Hinata said without even looking at him.

Gaara just stood near the kitchen door and waited for her to continue.

"Aren't you going to sit," Hinata asked as she gestured to the chair across from her.

Gaara moved towards the chair and sat down. After he was settled, Hinata pushed a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to him. He has had cookies before but none like these brown spotted cookies that Hinata just offered to him. Gaara turned his attention to Hinata, he had no interest in eating spotted cookies.

"Aren't you going to have a cookie," Hinata asked, although her voice was starting to sound like a command than a question.

'Why does she decide to get bossy on this day of all days,' Gaara almost wanted to pout, feeling that such an action would cool Hinata's attitude, but that wasn't his style. He slowly took a cookie into his hand. Hinata couldn't have put poison into the cookies, she just didn't seem like the killing type. Gaara took a small bit and began to chow. The cookie was still warm, it was crunchy at first but then it melted into his mouth. Simply put, Gaara thought the cookie was absolutely divine and that this was what he needed after a long day at the tower.

"Gaara, I wanted to t-talk about h-helping you with r-rule the kingdom." Hinata inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "I know you'll have the final decision when it comes to everything but I still want to help. And I want use to work on building trust. We need to be able to trust each other; not just because we're married but because of our status as king and queen, trust is vital." Hinata said, finally looking away from the table and at Gaara.

Gaara was working on his fourth cookie when Hinata stop talk. He quickly gulped the thing down and said, "So, you want use to trust each other…" –Hinata nodded- "and to rule together…" –Hinata nodded again and smiled- "and that's it?" Hinata's smile faltered but she nodded once again. That was it, but she wouldn't have thought that he would be so calm about what she asked.

Gaara nodded in agreement, "Fine." He picked up the plate of cookies and walked towards the kitchen door. Gaara was fine with letting her help him rule to a degree, but he wouldn't about to trust Hinata just because she asked him to. He would have been killed a thousand times over if he trusted people as so easily. He wasn't about to stick his neck out just for it to be severed from his body.

Trust took time and Hinata knew that. She was thrilled, it took her weeks to get up the courage to ask him and he accepted.

.

.

As time passed, Hinata observed Gaara and help him with the responsibility of ruling. She was learning his emotions and learning what to do when he was having a bad day, which he had everyday but some days were worst than others. At first, Gaara didn't give her anything to do to help him while they were at the king's tower, until he got mad at her for just staring at him one day. She wasn't actually staring at him, she was just spacing out while looking in his direction, but he didn't understand that. He started giving her documents to read then he started to let her write up some document for him. Gaara told Hinata how he would want a document written up and then after she was finish he'd proof read it. One time he actually had her write a letter to his monarch in Sunagakure, which Hinata found out was his sister.

Hinata hasn't listen to the complaints of the people in Konohagakure since Gaara took over as king, and that was months ago. Sunagakure didn't partake in listening to the people's complaints personally. It took quite some time for Hinata to convince Gaara to do it. She finally got him to agree to listen to the people today, but he was quite upset about it and said he'd hold the listening to the complaints in a few days. Hinata decided to call it day after seeing how upset Gaara was about the whole thing, she would just have to make some of those cookies he liked so much.

Hinata decided to just walk around the town until she found herself standing in front of the Hyuuga compound. She didn't know what pulled her here today, but she figured it was nothing important. 'Well I haven't seen Neji since he got out of the hospital and it's been a while since I visited Hanabi.' Hinata thought, trying to find a reason as to why she should be at her old home. Hinata knocked on the door and a young female servant, who Hinata never seen before, answered.

"Hello, how may I help you?" the girl asked.

"Hello," Hinata smiled. "I wish to see my sister Hanabi or my cousin Neji, if Hanabi isn't here." Hinata said, still standing in the doorway.

The servants eyes went wide from realization, "M-my queen, p-plea-please c-come in." The young woman bowed lowly. "I'm sorry I did not r-recognize you sooner, please f-forgiv-"

Hinata cut her off, "That's alright, you did not live here the same time I did, so I understand." Hinata smiled once again.

The young woman blushed at her own ignorance. "L-lady Hanabi is not here, but Lord Neji is in the meeting room. I believe Lord Neji and the clan's council just ended their meeting, please follow me my queen."

"That's alright, I know where it is, thank you." Hinata said and the servant bowed again. Hinata walked through her old home and made her way to the meeting room. It felt like forever since Hinata been there on her last birthday. As Hinata neared the meeting room, she heard laughter.

Hinata walked in and saw her cousin Neji and his lover, Tenten. They were sitting at the large table in each other embrace until they heard Hinata enter.

"Hinata," Tenten smiled. "How are you, my queen?" She teasingly asked, knowing full well that Hinata didn't like to be address by her title when in the company of family and friends.

"I'm well," Hinata said as she hugged Tenten. "And how are you, my lovely Dime?" Hinata giggled when she saw Tenten's face scrunch up from the use of her nickname.

"I'm fine, just been taking care of this big lug that you call a cousin."

More like pampering, Neji has gained a few pounds since Hinata last saw him. She could only assume it's been from Tenten's 'care.' "That's good to hear. How have you been Neji?"

Neji looked Hinata over for a moment, concern clearly in his eyes. "I am well, at least, as well as can be expected." Neji said, and then turned to his lover. "Could you please make us some tea, Tenten." Tenten knew that the tea was only an excuse for them to be alone as they talked, and she left the room without protest.

"Are you all right?" they both asked at the same time.

Silence filled the room for a long moment, but Hinata was the first to answer the question. "I'm fine, but are you all right? Is everything all right with the clan?"

"I'm fine, and everything is going well with the clan." Neji said, "But it's you I'm worried about. Is the king treating you well…?" He felt like that was a dumb question. What was he suppose to do if Gaara wasn't treating her decently. Start a rebellion? Neji had seen Gaara in battle during the war, and he felt like Gaara would have no problem with killing raging civilians.

Hinata smiled, she was glad that Neji would at least ask her that. Gaara wasn't a gentle person, but he wasn't a violent person either, at least not to her. "He treats me well enough Neji. You have nothing to worry about."

Satisfied, Neji decided to change the subject. "Where is Tomoko? Did someone else accompany you here," Neji asked.

"She's home and I came here alone." Hinata spent most of her time helping Gaara and Tomoko didn't want to be in his company more than she had too. So Hinata, feeling pity on her old friend, decided to let Tomoko stay home with the other servants or had her run various errands. But that was not something Neji wanted to hear.

"Since when is the queen allowed to walk around the kingdom unaccompanied?" Neji bit out sharply.

"Why must I always have a servant with me, just because I'm queen-

"It's not a servant I'm talking about. You need a guard with you at all times because you are queen." Neji cut her off. He used to be her protector when she was heiress to the Hyuuga clan, but now she's the queen of two kingdoms. Who the hell was in charge of protecting the queen? "You honestly can't believe it's okay for you to just walk around the kingdom without a personal guard."

There was nothing Hinata really could say that explained why she walked around unguarded. Even thought Hinata felt safe in her own homeland, she knew that didn't mean her safety was guaranteed. Hinata thought the best course of action was to change the topic.

"So when are you and Dime getting married," Hinata said.

Neji grunted, he would marry Tenten if he could but first he had to deal with the clan. It was hard enough for the Head of the Hyuuga clan to marry outside of the clan. It was near impossible for him to marry a lesser who's a servant. Neji decided the best course of action would be not to answer the question.

"Don't change the topic. Answer my question," Neji demanded.

Hinata turned away, she didn't want to answer his question. But through the grace of the gods, Tenten came back with their tea. And Tenten declared there was no need to spoil fresh tea over bad topics. Hinata now felt a revitalized love for Tenten.

.

.

Gaara was so tired of hearing the people of Konohagakure complaints. These people complained about every little thing. Gaara don't know how he allowed Hinata to convince him to listen to these people complains, but he felt it was a very meaningless. He could use his time to actually do something useful, other than listen to people whine about this and that. But here he was, sitting next to Hinata on the throne, listening to these 'ungrateful bastards' do what they do best: complain.

"Yuki Tanaka, lesser," the announcer said.

A young man came forward to stand before the king and queen. He had long brown hair, and he wore baggy clothes. He seemed to be in his mid-teens but neither Gaara nor Hinata could tell because the boy averts his face from them. Hinata, think the boy needed some encouragement, decided to speak first.

"What have you come here to say, my young citizen?" Hinata asked, keeping her voice soft and gentle as to try and encourage him. "Keep in mind that this is a common gathering, you can say almost anything without the fear of being punished." The keywords in that statement were 'almost anything.' Things such as actual threats to the king or queen would not go unpunished, but Hinata was sure the boy would mean them no harm.

"I…" Yuki paused, trying to gather the right words. "I want to know why he's king?" He asked, the question was directed to Hinata but he gestured to Gaara.

That surprised Hinata greatly. Gaara had fought for Konohagakure and won, that's what made him king. And if that wasn't enough, he had married Konohagakure's queen. Gaara became king a while ago, so why ask that question now after so much time has pass. But this has been their gathering of complaints, so Hinata could understand.

Gaara, on the other hand, was quite piss that the boy would even question his right to rule. Hinata could nearly feel Gaara's anger and she fear what he might do.

"What I mean is…I know how he became king, but why must he be our king." Yuki said. "Kingdoms have been to war with other kingdoms before, but never has one kingdom taken complete control of another kingdom. So what I'm trying to ask is why you couldn't just stay our queen, our only ruler?" He stared directly at Hinata. It wasn't that he hated Gaara on a personal level, he knew the question he asked was a matter for politics, a matter for the council. But he needed to know why he'd have to serve a man that killed his previous king, a king that he loved along with the rest of the kingdom, a king that actually held the right to sit on the throne.

Gaara turned to Hinata, even thought he was livid he wanted to see how Hinata was going to handle this situation. Gaara wondered how she would answer the boy's question.

Hinata took a quick glance at Gaara and wish she didn't. The fury in his eyes would make a strong man step back. Hinata took a moment to gather her thoughts and then turned her attention back to the young man.

"Well Sunagakure doesn't actually control Konohagakure, they're just ruled by the same king, King Gaara." Hinata glance at Gaara one more time and then continued. "And in all honesty, I can't be the sole ruler of Konohagakure. We need a king."

"But why is that? You ruled the kingdom well enough while King Sasuke was away at war." Surprisingly it was a voice from the crowd that cried the protest.

"I am only a woman wi-" Hinata was cut off by another person in the crowd.

"But Kirigakure has only a queen for a ruler," someone said from the other side of the throne room.

The room began to fill with chatter. Protest was coming from every side of the room.

'This has gotten out of hand,' Garra thought.

"Enough," a voice boomed throughout the room. Everyone turned in the direction from which the voice came.

They saw Hinata standing on the throne and everyone was surprised that the voice had come from her. No one in the room had ever heard the queen raise her voice, with the exception of Tomoko but it always did surprise Tomoko to hear Hinata yell.

Hinata breathe in deeply as to calm herself and she began to speak again, making sure her voice was firm. "We need Gaara as King of Konohagakure. I am not as well known by the other kingdoms like the Bloody Mad Queen of Kirigakure. Her title alone would make other kingdoms hesitate to go to war with her. I am not known for anything," Hinata declared truthfully.

There were many questioning faces around the room. And Gaara himself was waiting to see where Hinata was going with this.

"King Gaara, on the other hand, is known as the Ruthless Cruel King of Sunagakure. Excuse me," Hinata whispered the last part to Gaara for her previous words, and he gave an acute nod for her to continue. "My point is that King Gaara had a goal of conquering Konohagakure, and he completed that goal in less than a year. With him as our king, other kingdoms won't be as quick to engage Konohagakure as they would if I was its sole ruler."

Hinata sat back down on her throne chair. She took a moment to gather herself, suddenly feeling exhausted. "Does that answer your question Mister Tanaka," Hinata asked the young man that still stood in front of the throne.

"I suppose it does, thank you my queen…my king." Yuki bowed to both of them and then left the throne room.

Gaara turned to Hinata, "I thought you married me to save you cousin," he said only loud enough for her to hear.

"I told you that I would marry you to save my cousin, but I actually went through with the marriage from my people." Hinata said, hoping he would not be upset about it. Sometimes Gaara would get angered at the smallest of things, but he also had an odd sense of humor.

Gaara chuckled, "It seems I've married a politician for a wife.

Hinata smiled, pleased with his response, "And I've married a king for my people."

Gaara then looked at the announcer and signaled with his hand, "Continue."

The complaints continued, but no one ever again brought up the question as to why Gaara was king.

.

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A/N: I know I've made Sakura an 'A' class bitch but she won't stay that way. She won't make many appearances in this fic, but the next time Sakura do come back she'll be a 'good girl.' I needed Sakura to give Hinata a little push to get over her guilt of Sasuke. I was going to make this into two different chapters but I decided not to. I was a little worried about writing this chapter. I wasn't sure if people saw it as a useless chapter and I had a little trouble with a lot of the wording in this chapter. So please forgive me for y bad grammar, and I'll try to update soon; although I'm probably going to start updating a little slower now (bi-weekly or once a month), because of various reasons.

Please review!