A/N: Hi everyone, finally got this chapter up. I'm so happy, I have 24 reviews so far, hopefully I'll have 30 by next chapter(but that might be wishful thinking). Anyways, I hope ya'll enjoy this chap.

The Price of Honor

Chap. 7: Homeward Bound

Many things have changed in the passing weeks since the assassination attempt. One of those things would be the relationship Lee and Tomoko have developed. With Lee being placed as Hinata temporary personal guard, they had plenty of time to get to know each other better. But Lee and Tomoko weren't the only ones treading new grounds in a relationship, so were Gaara and Hinata. But of course there are always a few problems in every relationship, whether it was professional or personal.

"Gaara," Hinata said his name softly to gain his attention. When he looked up from the scroll documents he was reading she continued, "Have you given any thought about what I said concerning the council?" Hinata was getting desperate about convincing Gaara to allow some of Konohagakure's councilors to join his council. It has been weeks, but still Gaara steadfast to his original decision. But Hinata felt she was wearing him down, or at least she hoped.

"For fuck's sake Hinata," Gaara said. He was so tired of hearing about the disbandment of the council. He was almost willing to allow the whole damn council to come with them to Sunagakure, so Hinata would just stop nagging him. "We just had that discussion yesterday. Don't you think you could give me a little more time to consider what you said?"

Hinata looked out the windows of Gaara's office and said, "I know but…it's almost time for us to leave for Sunagakure." Hinata dreaded the fact that she would have to leave her home. Of course she used to travel a lot with her father when he was still living, but this time was different. She would leave this home to make a new one, only to return for visits, never to stay. 'There's no need to think about that now,' Hinata thought and turn her attention back to her king. "Now would be the best time to make your decision."

'I've already made my decision,' Gaara thought as he made a sound close to a snarl. Obviously his decision wasn't good enough for her. He didn't want the council to join them to Sunagakure, not even two councilors that Hinata was trying to negotiate in going. But he was just so tired of this. "Fine, Hinata."

Besides nagging him, Gaara swore Hinata did other things to try and wear him down about the council, like not baking those spotted cookies he loved so much. He even went as far as asking the home cook to prepare him some, but the cook said that wasn't in his area of expertise. The cook suggested that Gaara checked out the town's bakery for chocolate chip cookies, but the sweetest thing they served were muffins. Sighing to himself, Gaara recalled the one morning he asked Hinata about baking some cookies.

Flashback:

Hinata was making tea to help prepare herself for the day ahead. The weeks seemed to be going by fast, and she was starting to get anxious. Anxious about the disbandment of the council. Hinata feared there'd be an uproar in Konohagakure once the people heard of the disbandment. She's been busy thinking of things that would convince Gaara to change his decision, but so far the only thing she's come up with was to talk to him about the issue.

Hinata didn't notice Gaara come into the kitchen until he released a low, grunting sound that resembled a 'good-morning.'

Hinata nodded her head in acknowledgment of him. She was lost in thought until Gaara decided to speak again.

"So," he said first to gain her attention, "Why haven't you bake any cookies lately?"

That one, simple question made Hinata uncharacteristically angry. Here she was wracking her brain, trying to stop a possible pending upraise, and he's think about cookies.

"Why haven't you allowed Konohagakure's council to join yours?" Hinata asked flatly with an almost deadpan expression.

Gaara just walked away as if the question was never meant to be answered. He made sure not to engage in any kind of conversation with Hinata for the remainder of that day.

End of Flashback.

'Some battles are better lost than won,' Gaara thought. He looked back down at the papers on his desk and said, "I will allow two councilors to join my council in Sunagakure, and only two. You and the council decided who the two will be. I do not want to hear another word about it. Just inform me who the two councilors will be." And that was that. He sighed, and then went back to reading the scrolls.

Gaara didn't notice when Hinata got up from her sit and made her way to his side. But he did notice the soft, warm lips that pressed against his cheek a second later. It was a quick, innocent, little thank you kiss that seemed to chain him sweetly.

"Thank you, Gaara." Hinata said softly near his ear so he could hear her clearly. And she was out the door before Gaara could even catch the blush on her cheeks.

He unconsciously brought a hand up to the cheek Hinata kissed. Gaara half smiled, half smirk, when he thought of the kiss as his reward for allow two councilors to join his council.

. . . .

It took Hinata more time then she expected to gather all the councilors to have a meeting. But finally they were all sitting in the council's room.

"I've called this emergency meeting to inform you all that the king has decided to allow two councilors to join his council in Sunagakure. We must discuss and decided who will be those two councilors…" Hinata paused for a moment then continued, "It would be preferable if we could come to a final decision today, but I understand if that was not possible."

"Well it's about time, I was starting to wonder if you had any influence over your new husband," Danzo said and Hinata frowned.

It was the way Danzo said it that made Hinata frown. His statement could have been interpreted in many ways and she wanted clarification. But before Hinata could say anything, Shikamaru interjected.

"You'd do well to remember that it's the queen to whom you speak, Danzo." Shikamaru said rather defensively. He knew very well what Danzo was trying to imply when he made that statement. Danzo was basically saying that Hinata had no influence over Gaara as a woman, meaning she was no good in bed. And that was a very personal and sensitive matter for anyone.

"I never forget to whom I am speaking to, and unlike you, I will be one of the two councilors that leaves for Sunagakure." Danzo said in a matter-of-fact way. He was quite an arrogant man, and Hinata wasn't surprised that he last in council so long.

'It's the bullheaded ones that stay empowered for so long,' Hinata thought. "First let's find out who doesn't mind retiring from council," Hinata said try to store a little order before a fight broke out or something rather close to it.

"Well as you all know, Koharu and I have already said that we were planning on retiring. We have both gotten too old for this and I would like to enjoy my grandchildren before they become too old for me," Homura said with a smile.

"My wife is pregnant with our fifth child," said one of the younger councilmen with a goofy grin on his face. "My family is well settled here, and I do not plan to leave my homeland for a job. I can find work elsewhere right here in Konohagakure, so I'm willing to retire from council."

"Well that's three councilors that are willing to retire. Now all we need is one more councilor to decide if they're staying here in Konohagakure," Danzo said. "And as I said before, I'm not planning on retiring. So that just leaves Shikamaru and Osamu."

"Well unlike you, Danzo, my life doesn't revolve around this council." Osamu smirked when he received a glare from Danzo. "I'm an important member in my clan and cannot relocate. So I am forced to retire by default." He pushed his seat away from the table and said, "Then that leaves Danzo and Shikamaru the responsibility of representing Konohagakure in Sunagakure. Now that that's settled, I asked that this meeting may be adjourned, my queen, I have other matters to attend to."

"Uh…yes…of course, that was all I wished to discuss. You may be dismissed," Hinata said uncertain. She didn't expect the meeting to be done so quickly and without much quarrel, but she was happy that it was resolved none the less. As everyone left the room, Shikamaru made a comment to Danzo.

"It seems that I am one of the councilors leaving for Sunagakure," Shikamaru said slyly, responding to Danzo's earlier comment which earned him a death glare.

"You better watch your tone when you speak to me, boy!"

The anger in his voice made Hinata stop in her tracks as she headed to the door. Not many people knew of Danzo powers, but Hinata had the ability to see just what he was capable of with her own powers. Danzo was a powerful clandestined with the same powers of the Uchiha clan, meaning he was not a man to be taken lightly.

"That's enough Danzo, you are one of the councilor that will actually stay a councilor. You should be rejoicing with your fellow councilman instead of fighting." Hinata said trying to make her voice sound as firm as possible.

Danzo didn't look at Hinata or Shikamaru as he stomped out of the council's room. It was apparent to everyone that he didn't like his fellow councilman or his queen.

"You didn't have to dismiss him like that, I could have taken care of him myself." Shikamaru said.

"I know you could, but it's best that he didn't get too riled up." Hinata said, and when she got a questionable look she sighed. "If you ever do engage in a fight with Danzo, it would be best if you don't make any eye contact with him."

"Oh," was all Shikamaru said. Hinata could almost feel the wheels in his head turning and she smiled. She knew it wouldn't be long before Shikamaru found out what she meant.

. . . .

Gaara was greeted home with the sweet smell of Hinata's baking, something that he'd long-awaited. He dropped off his gourd in their bedroom, an action he made sure to repeat every night since the incident with the assassin. He made his way back downstairs to the kitchen. Passing some of the servants at the dining room table enjoying Hinata's freshly baked sweeties. Even Lee and the home cook had no shame in gulfing down the queen's hard labor.

Gaara walked into the kitchen and saw Hinata standing over the oven. Hinata smiled at him when she realized he was there.

"Hello Gaara," Hinata said, she picked up the plate of chocolate chip cookies she'd made earlier and then placed it on the small kitchen table. "I've made these just for you." Hinata baked to show her gratitude to Gaara about the council.

Gaara said nothing as he sat in front of the plate of cookies Hinata placed on the table. Gaara thought of this as another reward for allowing two council members to join his council. He relished the spotted cookies Hinata baked, and he loved the idea of Hinata cooking these cookies just for him.

He watched Hinata move around the kitchen as he ate the spotted cookies. Since that night with the assassin, Gaara has found an undisputed trust for Hinata. And a thing such as trust didn't come easy to him. The memory of Hinata standing with a dagger at the assassin's throat flashed through his mind, and he smirked. His gentle queen was will to kill to protect him. His chest tightened at the thought, and he tried to ignore the feeling by eating another cookie.

"I had a meeting with the council after I left your office," Hinata said out the blue as she took some cinnamon rolls out of the oven.

"Hn," was Gaara's only response. He really didn't want to hear another thing about the damn council.

"They've already come to a decision on who will leave for Sunagakure; Danzo and Shikamaru." Hinata said happily, and Gaara was pissed.

How were they able to pick the two councilors he hated most. If they picked anyone else, he would be fine, but they decided on the insubordinate jackass and the know-it-all councilman. Gaara looked up from his plate of cookies and saw Hinata applying icing to her freshly baked cinnamon rolls. He sighed to himself, Hinata was probably happy with the outcome of the decision. He knew out of all the councilors Hinata favored the Nara, and he her. That was evident since his first conversation with the councilman in his office.

"Oh," Hinata said as if she just realized something, "I'll be at the Hyuuga's household tomorrow." Hinata said smiling as she made her way to the small kitchen table. "I'll probably be there all day, just to let you know."

Gaara listen as Hinata continued talking. Apparently she was chatty tonight.

"And Neji said he'd teach me to ride horseback. I never did it before, when I used to travel with my father we'd always ride in a carriage. He said it's a valuable lesson to le-"

"Wait, Neji is teaching you to ride a horse?" Gaara asked, and Hinata immediately realized her mistake. For some reason they didn't like each other. Well she knew why Neji didn't like Gaara, and she could understand Neji's reason. Gaara order for Neji to be beaten the night he'd entered Konoha, to help persuaded her to accept his proposal. But Hinata didn't understand why Gaara dislike Neji.

"Yes, he said it is something I should learn if I'm traveling such a distance without…um…" '…Without the protection of the clan.' Hinata finished off her sentence in her mind.

"Why didn't you just ask me to teach you?" Gaara asked, Hinata tried not to frown because he almost sounded defensive.

"I thought you wouldn't have the time to."

"Well I do have the time," Gaara responded back quickly.

'Ooookay…' Hinata thought. It was odd how Gaara seem to be on the defense in the conversation. "Is this because you hate Neji? Why do you hate him so much?" Hinata asked rather boldly.

"No, and I just don't like that man." Gaara lied. He absolutely despised Hinata's cousin. Despite all that Gaara did the night he arrived in Konoha, despite all that he said, the only thing that convinced Hinata to accept his proposal was the sight of her bloody and bruised cousin. Just the sight of a hurt Neji was enough to make Hinata succumb and agree to marry a certified monster. And that pissed him off to no end for two reasons. One being, he wanted no man to have that kind of power over Hinata. As her husband and king, he was the only one allowed to such a power over her. And the second reason was the fact that he would have Neji to thank for his marriage.

"I'll arrive here earlier tomorrow and teach you the basics to riding a horse," Gaara continued on. "I have no dispute about you being with your family. I'm sure you have your goodbyes in order." He knew that she'd be spending more time with her friends and family nearing the time they would leave for Sunagakure. She had many people to say goodbye to, and he would not stop her from doing so.

.

.

Hinata was at the Hyuuga compound for most of the day. Tomoko and Lee separated from her the moment they entered the grounds. She spent all her time with Hanabi since Neji was in and out of meeting. They talked about random things, and even though the things they spoke of were insignificant, Hinata felt a certain relief with their conversation.

When Hinata had first relinquished her birthright of heir to Neji, Hanabi was one of the many who were displeased with Hinata's decision. And even though it wasn't Hanabi's birthright to become heir, she felt as though she had more entitlement to the position than Neji. But as time went on, Hanabi saw the change that happened in the Hyuuga clan. They didn't become one big happy family, but they no long had an insufferable tension or a fueling hatred for each other. And Hanabi had enough humility to say that she was wrong about her first presumption of Hinata's decision.

It wasn't until now, that Hinata realized that her sister really did accept her decision about making Neji the clan's heir. For them to speak so freely to each other was a welcomed relief.

"So how's your hubby Hinata?" Hanabi asked at complete random considering they were just talking about the garden. Hinata blushed at how her sister referred to Gaara.

"G-gaara is alright, I suppose," Hianta said.

"You suppose," Hanabi repeated in a suggestive tone. "I got to be honest sis, I'm a little concerned."

"About wh-"

"I hear he's abusive," Hanabi said quickly and bluntly. Then she turned to stand directly in front of her sister. "Is that true, Hinata?"

"Of course not, and who told you such a thing?" Hinata said defensively. Hinata was no stranger to Gaara's cruel reputation, but he was never mean to her. There were times when he was a little insensitive to her emotions, but it never came close to the borderline of abuse. Hinata haven't even seen Gaara kill anyone before; although there were times he seemed close to doing so, but that kind of anger was never directed at her.

"No one in particular," Hanabi said not wanting to give away her source. "Neji said he is a complete and utter ass."

"But that's different from saying he's abusive, Hanabi." Was all Hinata said, she couldn't really defend Gaara about being an ass. Hinata just figured people were entitled to their opinions.

For a long while there was an awkward silence between them.

"There's no need for you to be concerned Hanabi. I'm not in an abusive relationship, and even if I was I would not have stayed long. I would have found a way to escape my marriage by now if that was true," Hinata said with a sigh, trying to put her sister's mind at ease.

"That's all I'm saying sis, that I would help you if that rumor was true."

Hinata then walked closer to Hanabi and gave her a hug with an affectionate kiss on the forehead. "Thank you, my sister."

As the day drew on the sisters continued to talk about random things, none as serious as the one concerning the king's and queen's relationship, but they enjoyed being in each other company while they still could. But eventually Hinata excused herself, saying that she needed to speak with Neji about some training lesson before heading back home.

Hinata walked through the halls of the Hyuuga household until she arrived outside of Neji office. But before she tried to open the door a guard standing near stopped her, she was surprised to see he wasn't a Hyuuga.

"My lord asked to not be disturbed during the meeting," the guard said to Hinata.

"Neji is my cousin, he will understand and I just need to speak with him for a moment."

"I was not referring to Lord Hyuuga, I was speaking of King Gaara." The guard responded.

"Oh," was all Hinata said. She didn't like the idea of Neji and Gaara being in a room alone, so she tried to press on. "Well I am-"

"I know who you are, my lady." The guard said slowly, he didn't not want to upset the queen but he feared his king's wrath if Gaara did not accept the intrusion from his wife. "But the king asked for no disturbances."

Hinata sighed, she understood the man had a job to do. "I understand." Before Hinata even had the chance to walk away, Neji's door open to reveal Gaara.

"You ready to leave," Gaara asked Hinata.

"U-um, yeah, but first I must tell Neji that you'll be teaching me h-"

"That's already been taken care of," he interrupted her. Gaara then pressed his hand to the small of her back and said, "Let's go."

Hinata did what she was told without protest.

. . . .

Hinata was exhausted. She had no idea it's be this hard to learn horseback riding. They've been at it for hours now, and Hinata was near ready to give up. She was quickly starting to lose the reasoning why she needed to learn how to ride a horse. Her cousin had said it was a good skill to have. To know how to escape from danger if need be. But she was starting to lose sight of that.

"Keep your hands on the reins like I've showed you, Hinata." Gaara wasn't exactly the best of teachers. He'd only showed her how to ride the horse once, and the thing seemed to get spooked at everything.

"The horse isn't acting right, I think it saw a snake or something." Hinata declared.

Gaara sighed, it's always easier to put the blame elsewhere. "If the horse saw a snake, you would know."

Horses were scary animals that jump at they own damn shadow, at least that how Gaara felt about every horse other than his own. Gaara walked in front of the horse to make it stop moving. Then he surprised Hinata by jumping on the saddle right behind her.

"Move your hands," Gaara said as he grasped the reins from her hold.

Hinata was embarrassed at how close they were, with her back pressed against his chest, not even a breeze of air could separate them. But in all honesty, she wouldn't complain.

"Now, to make him walk you only have to whip the reins once and he'll go." Gaara demonstrated by doing exactly as he said, and the horse began to walk slowly. "And when you want to stop-" Gaara continued to act out what he said, "-you only need to pull back the reins and sit deep."

Gaara released the reins when the horse came to a stop. He rested his hands on either side of Hinata's waist to help balance himself. He smirked when he felt her stiffen at his touch. They've been married for nearly a year now and they're still strangers to each other touch.

"Now you try," Gaara commanded.

Hinata grabbed the reins slowly, unsure of herself, and whips them once like Gaara did only moments before. Unfortunately the horse did not react the same way.

The horse neighed then jumped back to stand on its hind legs. Hinata limbs went wild, trying to find something to stop her unavoidable fall which caused her to spin in midair. Gaara, realizing they were fall, tried to brace for the impact. He wrapped his arms around Hinata so he would break her fall, and she wrapped her arms around Gaara's head. Both trying to furiously protect the other.

Gaara took the brunt of the fall with Hinata's arms only protecting his head, and although he would never admit it, he was grateful. They stayed in each other's embrace for a long while, adsorb the aftershock, Gaara was the first to break the silence between them.

"My horse is pretty damn strong," he pant out, exhausted from the fall. "You'll just ride with me on our way to Sunagakure."

Hinata just nodded her head which rested against his chest, she had no disputes about that.

.

.

*A week later in Suna*

Temari was nervously pacing in the king's tower. Gaara should have arrived by now, and the sun was already setting. 'Clam down Temari, he's traveling with over half an army,' she thought to clam herself down. After conquering Konohagakure, Gaara sent back some of its warrior to help defend Suna in case of an attack, and now he was returning with the rest of the army. But he wasn't here at the time he said he'd be back in his letter.

"And where the hell is Kankuro," Temari yelled at everyone, but no one in particular. She had summoned Kankuro hours ago to wait for Gaara arrival with her and the council. The fact that Gaara hadn't arrived yet was beside the point. At that moment a woman came barging into the king's tower.

"I've just seen Lord Gaara arriving at the western gate with rest of the army, Lady Temari." The woman said panting loudly.

"Thank you Matsuri," Temari said to the younger woman. "Let's go everyone," she directed to the council.

They lazily made their way through the streets of Suna. Even though it was night, Suna was a well lit city because most businesses only opened at night. They walked no more than two blocks before running into Gaara and the small group of people with him. The only two people Temari recognized were Gaara and his servant Lee.

When they were in hearing range of each other Temari spoke first. "Thank the gods you're okay," she said to Gaara who didn't seem to be in the best of moods. "If you had arrived earlier you would have been received with a more proper greeting."

"That wouldn't have been necessary Temari," Gaara responded flatly. In all honesty, he didn't want to be greeted back home. He didn't have the patience to shake people hands and answer their questions. Right now he needed a good night's sleep.

"U-um Gaara," Hinata was the one to speak this time. She did not want to stop any reunions Gaara might have but she was dog-tired from their travels. "Where will we be st-staying?"

Before Gaara could respond, Temari interjected. "Who the hell are you to speak to the king so informally," she asked, not knowing who the dark haired woman was.

"I'm H-hinata," she said softly. Hinata knew full well that the woman named Temari was her new sister-in-law, and she was embarrassed that this was how they first meet. Gaara sighed to himself when he saw Temari confused expression. He realized that Hinata response was not educational to her status as queen, but Temari should've been familiar with Hinata's name because of the letters he sent throughout the pass year.

"Did you read any of the letters I sent you, Temari?" Gaara asked, he concluded that it would be best if Temari found out Hinata's status on her own. He glanced at Hinata and saw that she was staring at the ground, and he resisted the urge to shake his head. There were times when his queen was impressionably self-assuring and then there were times when she was embarrassingly shy.

"Of course I have, but what does that have to do with who she is?" his sister asked. Temari couldn't understand why Gaara was talking about letters when this plain looking servant girl just addressed him, the king of Sunagakure and Konohagakure, so informally.

"I don't have the patience for this right now," Gaara declared. "If you actually read my letters you'd know who Hinata is." He then grasped Hinata's arm and led them towards the king's tower; which was also their home. But Temari was right on their heels, with the others behind her.

"Then just tell me w-" Temari ranting was quickly cut off.

"Have you lost your damn mind," Gaara bawled. He turned around to face his sister fully. The beast inside him has been restless the moment they left Konoha. He didn't have the patience for his sister nagging, and she knew better than to follow him after he walked away. "Hinata is my fucking wife. I would think you, as my sister, could remember if I got married; even if you were informed through only a damn letter." Gaara's voice and body posture changed, and even his eyes change into a bright amber color. "And since when have you been so concerned with who shows me respect when you yourself lack that simple concept."

Temari didn't say a word, no one did.

This was the first time Hinata actually feared Gaara more than she did the first night they met. She never saw him mad enough for his eyes to change colors. And the reaction from Temari, and the Suna's councilors, made her even more scared. Temari's eyes seemed to be frozen in terror, her body was stiff yet she seemed ready to bolt. And although Hinata didn't know Temari, the fear she saw in her sister-in-law's face made her want to protect Temari.

"Gaara," she said to draw his attention away from her terrified in-law. But when Gaara turned his fearsome gaze to her, she almost regretted her action. His now amber eyes, as beautiful as they were, nearly made her take a step back. Swallowing her own fear, Hinata spoke again, "It's been a long day. We should all just get some rest."

Gaara regarded Hinata a moment longer before turning to walk away. He knew he needed to calm down. Even though Hinata voice was even, the look in her eyes showed her true emotions. Gaara was used to seeing other people staring at him with fear struck faces. But he didn't like to see her eyes filled with fear, and he hated knowing he was the cause of that fear.

Hinata closed her eyes in relief as everyone else began to breathe again. She had no plans in following Gaara to which she assumed to be their bedroom. But her plans where quickly put to an end when Gaara called for her to follow him. So with slow and heavy steps, Hinata trailed after him.

The moment Gaara and Hinata was out of sight, the councilors quickly left. Lee led Tomoko into the king's tower, he lived where Gaara lived, but he had to continuously reassure Tomoko that everything was alright. Only Temari, Danzo, and Shikamaru stood outside the king's tower. Shikamaru was the first to break their silence as he lit a well needed cigarette.

"Well he seemed piss," Shikamaru stated indifferently.

Temari could only nod in agreement. "I didn't expect him to react so aggressively," she responded truthfully. Temari believed she knew her brother well enough to whether or not he was about to kill her, but apparently she was wrong. She hadn't seen Gaara in over two years, and she assumed that the war changed him for the worse.

"For what it's worth, he wasn't really going to hurt you." Shikamaru declared, and Temari looked at him like he was insane. "Now can you direct me to the nearest inn?"

"Wait," Temari started, "Did you just say that Gaara wouldn't have hurt me?" She thought for sure she was talking to a blind man, "Did you not see h-"

"Gaara just like to blow smoke every now and again," Shikamaru chuckled as he puffed on his cigarette.

"People who believe Gaara is 'just blowing smoke'," she said, "…end up dead."

He just shrugged, "That might be true for most, but not for all."

"Look, all I want to know is will you show me where a hotel is located," this time it was Danzo who spoke. Temari rolled her eyes before showing them to the nearest inn.

. . . .

"I'm sorry," Gaara's lips thinned, the words felt so foreign coming from his mouth. "I'm sorry if I frightened you earlier."

He didn't like apologizing, but he needed to do something to make her stop acting so….different. She seemed to be tip-toeing around him, trying not to gain his attention in any way. Hinata didn't say a word to him since they left Temari and the others, she didn't even whisper her usual 'good-night' to him when she crawled into bed. He turned to look at her stiff frame lying on the bed.

He sighed to himself as he sat on his side of the bed opposite to hers. Obviously she wasn't about to say anything, so Gaara pulled back the covers, preparing to lie down.

"W-why did you eyes c-change colors?" Hinata's soft voice pierced the deadly silence.

Gaara eyes widen just a fraction, he wasn't aware that his eyes had changed. He turned to look at Hinata, not surprised that her back was still facing him. In all honesty, he didn't want to explain to her why his eyes changed. Telling her about his curse wouldn't help reduce her newly growing fear of him.

"M-maybe if I knew why you got so upset…." Hinata allowed her sentence to trail off.

Gaara rubbed the back of his neck, not like where the conversation was going. But they were here in Sunagakure, his homeland; she was bound to hear it from someone. "I'm cursed."

"Oh my goodness, you're going to die?" Hinata asked, believing that curse ultimately led to death. She sat straight up in bed, and Gaara was surprise to see utter terror strike across her face, with fear of losing….him…?

"No," Gaara started, "I'm cursed with a beast." He could practically feel Hinata's eye's move to stare at his bare back. Gaara usually only went to bed in a pair of loose pants, preferring to sleep shirtless, something Hinata had long gotten used to. But Gaara knew Hinata was staring at the tattoo of the raccoon on his back. "It's the image of the beast that lies inside of me."

"It's more like an animal than anything else," Gaara decided to clarify more. "At time it's restless inside of me, causing me to have migraines, and making me more….irritable."

"How do you know that's the image of the b-beast inside of you?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Because I've turned into it once before."

Another deafening silence consumed the room.

He didn't want to turn around to see rejection in Hinata's eyes. There's only one thing that Gaara wanted from Hinata as his wife, and that was acceptance. He didn't expect love from anyone because of his curse, not even from his own family, but he did want acceptance. He secretly yearned for it. And Gaara expected acceptance from the one woman that would have a permanent, intimate, part of his life. But what could he truly do, if he was denied such a thing from Hinata.

"When did you turn into the beast?"

"When I was five years old," Gaara answered.

"Does it…..could it control you?" Hinata asked, truly wanting to know if Gaara could become possess in any way.

"No," he responded quickly, finally turning to look at her. And Hinata could see it was an uncomfortable topic for him.

"Okay," she said and started to ease back into the mattress, "I understand." Hinata didn't fully understand, but she wasn't about to press the matter. She now realized that Gaara's anger issues weren't entirely his fault, but he was in control; and that was all she needed to know.

Gaara was relieved that that conversation was over. Hopefully there would be no need for them to talk about it once more. After getting in bed, Gaara pulled up the covers. And out of habit, he reached for Hinata and pulled them closer together. That one, swift movement made them both freeze.

Since the incident with the assassin, Gaara found himself subconsciously reaching for Hinata throughout the wee hours of the night. At first he just needed to know she was there beside him. To know that she was safe at his side, like she should have been on the night of the assassination attempt, but he was grateful that she wasn't on that night.

Hinata was mildly surprise that Gaara had reach for her. It wasn't the first time he had his arms around her as they slept, but this was the first time he did so before she was already asleep. Hinata blushed when she thought of the first morning she woke up earlier than Gaara: he had his arm lazily around her waist with his leg protectively over hers. Hinata had nearly fainted at their intimate position, and she'd just pretended to be sleep until Gaara woke and removed himself from her. But since that morning, Hinata had gotten used to being in Gaara's arms. She enjoyed being in his embrace, he was naturally warmer than the average person.

When Hinata started to reposition herself Gaara took it as a sign to release her. But just as he was about to move his arm, Hinata grasped his hand in hers and brought it up to her chest. Finally in a position she was comfortable with, Hinata dozed off to sleep, but not before whisper her usual, "Good-night, Gaara."

A/N: Well there ya go. I've been spending a lot of time thinking about my plot and I think it's pretty good. But anyways, what did ya'll think of this chapter. I never really intended for Shikamaru to be kicked out of the council, but I needed to make up some reason why he and Danzo left for Sunagakure. I tried to make this chapter focus mostly on Gaara and Hinata's relationship. But what did ya'll think of the ending? I'm really proud of that little GaaHina moment (don't ask me why, I'm just proud of it for some reason, hehehee).

For some reason I'm feeling like I make a lot of mistakes in my writing, but I don't know what, I just feel like I'm doing something wrong. Maybe I'm just insecure when it comes to this fic. Anyways tell me what you think and…..

Please Review!