Future Fixtures
Chapter Three
Gaara gave a small frustrated sigh as his thoughts drifted once more to the woman that controlled the hospital: his wife. She had been avoiding him. It had been abundantly clear when she hadn't made her daily trip to his office to deliver her reports on patients and other things; instead, she had sent a medic nin at the hospital to do it for her. He swallowed as an old worry set in. Had he done something wrong? She didn't seem unhappy with him the night before. His eyes darkened slightly as he thought of exactly how happy she had been. He easily put a lid on the lust that his wife would always awaken in him and stood from his chair to stretch. As he lowered his arms, his eyes fell on the mountains of paper piled on his desk. He looked toward his door at the small, yet rhythmic knock.
"Come in, Karura," Gaara called, glancing up from his paper at his little girl. He could remember clearly the day she was born.
Gaara paced around the waiting room frantically. Surely giving birth wouldn't take this long! He could hear his brother calling his name vaguely, but his panic over his wife's health and the health of their daughter overcame the sound. He had after all been forced out of the room that his wife was in. The doctors had been frantic and wouldn't tell him what was wrong. All he could gather from their actions was that there were complications. Gaara couldn't help it; his pacing picked up speed. It wasn't until Kankuro stood and grabbed his brother by the shoulders did Gaara stop.
"Chill out, Gaara," Kankuro told him, "all of your pacing is making us dizzy." Gaara looked toward the group in the waiting room. Naruto, Sakura, and the rest of Hinata's old team were gathered in the waiting room with his family members. Kankuro knew his younger brother well enough to know that words would do nothing for him at the moment. Gaara would worry and borderline panic no matter what.
"Yeah!" Naruto exclaimed from his seat next to his very pregnant wife. "Hinata-chan is strong. She can do it. I've got faith in her," he told them all. His blue eyes left no room to argue. Gaara let a small smile curve his lips.
"I do too," he stated evenly as he turned his eyes back to the door. Minutes later, a doctor walked through that very door. A wide smile was on his face.
"Kazekage-sama," he spoke, "I am honored to inform you that you are now the father of a beautiful baby girl." While the statement filled him with joy, a key ingredient for his comfort was missing.
"And my wife?" He asked. The doctor's smile faltered slightly. A flash of panic went through Gaara, but he smothered it.
"She will have to remain in the hospital a few days…" The doctor told him. A small flash of nervousness went through him as the Hokage from Konoha stood as well. Two very powerful men stood before him. The usually cheerful look in the man's blue eyes were dampened by the news. Those blue eyes were hard.
"What went wrong?" Gaara asked. The doctor swallowed slightly at the tone. The Kazekage was being extremely level headed for someone that had just had a daughter. He had hoped to explain this all after he had held his little girl, but he should have known better. The Kazekage always wanted answers first.
"The umbilical cord wrapped around her neck," he departed the news. "We had to do an emergency C-section to save the child and Hinata-sama." Gaara sighed deeply. The doctor prayed that he still had his job.
"May I see them?" He asked. The doctor nodded.
"Of course." As Gaara walked through the double doors, he heard Naruto loudly ask the doctor when he would be able to see his goddaughter. A genuine smile curved his lips as he walked through the door. His wife lay on the hospital bed with their baby cradled in her arms. She was humming to her as she lay there.
"Bonding," the nurse whispered to him as she readied to leave the room. "It's crucial in the first few hours for the child to bond with his or her mother." Gaara showed no signs that he heard the information the nurse imparted. She smiled as she saw the way his eyes stuck on his daughter. A small fluff of red hair peaked out from his wife's arms. His doubts were played out on his face. "You'll be a good father, Kazekage-sama," she told him. Only now did he acknowledge her. He smiled at her.
"Thank you," he told her. At the sound of his voice, his wife stopped humming and looked over at him. "How long will it be until I can hold her?" Gaara asked.
"I'll come back in and alert you when you can. It shouldn't be much longer," the nurse reassured. Gaara nodded.
"Do not forget," he commanded. The nurse smiled.
"I won't." Gaara let her leave and walked over his wife and child. Hinata smiled up at him. Her lavender eyes showed her exhaustion, but she glowed despite it.
"Isn't she beautiful, Gaara?" She asked breathlessly. Gaara smiled genuinely and kissed her suddenly. Their child cooed happily at about the same time. She smiled against his lips as he pulled away.
"Yes, yes, she is," he said as he looked down at the face of his baby girl. "What should we name her?" He asked, still looking at her. Hinata smiled softly.
"Karura," Gaara's eyes snapped to his wife. "To pay my thanks to the wonderful woman who brought you into this world." Gaara's lips met hers quickly and passionately as so many emotions coursed through him. Love and gratitude were the main ones that kept resurfacing.
Twelve years had passed since that night. The young girl now stood before him. Gaara knew it was very irrational, but he couldn't help but wish that she was a baby again. His little girl was growing up and it didn't sit well with him.
"Have you noticed anything off with Mother?" Karura asked as she plopped down on the red chair in his office. Her soft green eyes bore into her father's expectantly. Gaara nodded. Karura, completely used to her father's frequent silence, continued, "do you plan to do anything about it?" Gaara smiled slightly at his daughter's blunt nature.
"I do," he answered.
"After or before you finish your paperwork?" She asked, eyeing the mountains of papers on his desk. A small chuckle escaped Gaara's lips. Karura was a bold little girl that would not take failure as an option.
"Before," he told her. After all, he acknowledged that there was no way he could get this done in one night. Before Hinata and his little family, it would have been easy to finish all of it. Now, however, he had grown used to family dinner and spending the night in his bed. As if testament to his statement, Gaara stood from his chair; Karura stood from her seat as well. He placed a hand on his daughter's head and stirred her gently out of his office.
Naruto couldn't stop the small grumblings that escaped his lips as he worked on the paperwork in front of him. He had aspired to become Hokage for so long. The mounds of paperwork were the only downside he had seen so far. Sakura stood watching him as if daring him to stop. As he looked at her, he thought of earlier that evening.
"We have to play the parts of our older selves," Sakura told him. "This means that we have to perform all of our duties effortlessly and as if we do them every single day. We can't give them any reason to suspect…"
Sakura clearing her throat brought him out of his thoughts. Her green eyes glared meaningfully at him as she cracked her knuckles. Instantly, he lifted another piece of paper. His eyes widened when he looked down. Suna's symbol stared back up at him.
"Gaara!" He exclaimed happily as he took in the writing. Sakura raised a pink eyebrow at him and stood to read over his shoulder. It was a strictly business letter. It explained that the Chunin exams were to be held within a few weeks and describe the teams that he would be sending. He also explained that he and his wife would also be in attendance.
"He really takes his job seriously, doesn't he?" Sakura asked as she looked at Naruto. He nodded. While he was amused at Gaara's approach, he was also disappointed. Had the friendship they had fizzled? Sakura patted him on the shoulder suddenly. He glanced away from the letter toward her. "I'm sure everything's fine, Naruto," Sakura reassured. "After all, both of you are very busy men."
"Yeah," Naruto mumbled. While he was grateful for Sakura, he was still worried. Gaara was one of his closest friends. He thought of Gaara as his brother. They shared something that Sasuke and he never would: an understanding of what it was like to have a demon sealed inside of you. So, it scared him to know that his future self could have let that go.
Hinata sat on the middle of the bed with the photo album in her lap. There were several empty slots left in the book even though the picture album was halfway filled. She seemed happy with Gaara. She could tell by the look in her eyes in those pictures that she was in love with him. For some reason, it didn't bother her as much as it should have. Among the pictures of her and her husband, there were also many of Naruto and Sakura and their children. He was completely happy with his life. He had achieved his dreams. She smiled.
'Naruto…I'm so happy for you,' she promised. Hinata gave a small sigh at the nausea that attacked her again. She pressed a hand to her forehead. Without the support of both hands, the large photo album slipped onto the bed beside her. Hinata jumped lightly as the door to their bedroom opened. Hinata looked over to see her husband. She slowly lowered her hand as their eyes met. He stepped inside and closed the door, but stayed near it. For a moment, they sat in silence. Hinata opened her mouth to ask if something was wrong, but Gaara interrupted her:
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Hinata returned. While she was certain that her future self acted differently around Gaara than she was at the moment, she really hadn't done anything that she felt was out of the ordinary.
"Don't play coy with me, Hinata," he sighed. Normally, he would have been amused by her antics, but this was different. This time they were directed at him. "You sent someone else to give me your reports. You've been practically dancing around me all day." Hinata opened her mouth to protest, but a wave of nausea cut her short. Her eyes widened. Gaara moved closer, worried. "Hinata?" Without giving him an answer, she darted toward the bathroom. He followed her without a second thought. Hinata collapsed in front of the toilet and promptly lost all of the meal she had eaten. She jumped slightly at the feel of his fingers pulling her hair back before anything could get into it. Hinata groaned when the nausea didn't subside. Her head smacked the cool surface of the toilet. "Baby, are you sick?" Hinata's eyes widened at the endearment and the way it made her feel.
"I don't know," Hinata said before losing what little was left of her lunch. Despite her misery, she could feel his hand running up and down her back. It was soothing. "Gaara," she coughed, "can you…carry me to the bed?"
"You never have to ask," Gaara told her as he scooped her up gently into his arms. She had expected his walk to be slightly jarring, but he practically glided. Only when he needed both hands did he let his sand hold her. Hinata ran her fingers through the bed of sand gently. She had always expected that his sand was hard and rough, but…it wasn't. It cradled her as if she were the most precious thing to him. She giggled softly when the sand reached up and caressed her fingertips. Gaara smiled as he finished setting up the bed for her. He made the sand slip her into the bed. He reached for the covers and settled them over her. "I'll send for a medic," he informed her as he kissed her forehead softly. Hinata blushed brightly at the action. Gaara smiled at her as he pulled back. His thumb caressed the red skin gently. "It's been a long time since I've seen that…" He whispered. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Water would be nice," she mumbled. Gaara nodded. The affection in his eyes stole her breath away.
"I'll be right back," he promised and then he was gone. Hinata blinked before closing her eyes completely.
'This is all so strange,' she thought, 'I never would have thought that I would end up married to Gaara. I never would have imagined that this affection he shows me existed.' A small thunk coaxed her to open her eyes. Gaara was back with her water. He smiled softly at her.
"The medic is on her way," he informed. Hinata nodded. He moved to leave again. On a whim, Hinata grabbed his hand. He looked back at her with slightly wide eyes.
"Stay," she whispered, "please." He smiled once more. Hinata was being selfish. She wanted the comfort he provided her. Despite the strangeness of her situation, she felt safe and loved around him. He settled onto the bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist gingerly. It was in that position that Hinata dozed off.
A few minutes later, the couple was disturbed by a timid knock at the door. Gaara was the first to open his eyes. His first moment of peace all day was ruined by the interruption. He glanced back down at his wife to find her lavender eyes looking toward the door as well. Gaara sighed slightly and slipped from the bed.
"Um…Kazekage-sama? It's me, Kami? You sent for assistance," she called through the door. The small woman jumped slightly as he opened the door. He stepped aside instantly and let her inside. Kami locked eyes on her client. Kami frowned slightly at the sight of the powerful woman lying in bed. She had asked her to go home, but no…the stubborn woman wanted to finish all of the reports and check on the patients herself. Kami sighed. "Can you tell me your symptoms, Hinata-sama?" Kami asked.
"I've been dizzy and nauseous all day. Although the first time I threw up was just a few minutes ago," Hinata told her.
"Was it because of any particular smell?" Kami asked. Hinata furrowed her eyebrows. That question was usually related to pregnancy. To appease Kami and to make sure that she was correct, Hinata searched her memory to the exact moment her sickness escalated. Her eyes widened as she realized that there had been a smell coming in from the hallway.
"Vanilla," Hinata muttered. "I smelt vanilla." Gaara put a hand over his mouth to keep from grinning. Hinata had smelt Matsuri's perfume. Hinata's eyes met his. She could easily see the crinkle around his eyes as he attempted to smother the beginnings of a grin. She raised an eyebrow, but turned her attention back to Kami.
"Has this ever happened before?" Kami asked. Hinata shook her head. "Do you mind if I run a test on you?" Although to the Kazekage it seemed like Kami was asking for permission, Hinata knew the truth. She was going through the motions of a medic nin. Hinata watched as Kami's hands lit up and moved toward her stomach. Hinata closed her eyes.
Gaara couldn't take his eyes off of his wife. He knew as well that the questions Kami was asking were related to pregnancy. He couldn't help but think back to when Hinata's pregnancy with Karura came to light.
"Gaara," she whispered fearfully from the hospital bed as he appeared. The meeting he had been in with the Council had been interrupted by the news that the Kazekage's young wife had been in the hospital. The Council had graciously rescheduled the meeting for another time. Gaara had disappeared in a curtain of sand almost instantly. Gaara studied the part of her not covered by the hospital sheet for injuries. She had collapsed, Temari had told him, when she was sparring with her. He knew that his reactions to the entire thing had shocked his siblings and the Council. After all, their marriage was relatively fresh. He didn't blame them for their shock. The Council and the Hyuuga Elders had been lead to believe that the marriage was based on political purposes. It had been a lie. At the time of their marriage, Gaara had been completely and irrevocably in love with Hinata.
"Are you hurt?" He asked, finding no obvious signs. Hinata shook her head. The lavender eyes he had come to love were blocked from his view by tightly clenched eyelids. He wandered closer to her. "Then why did you collapse?" Hinata opened her eyes finally. The emotions inside of them robbed him of his breath. She was terrified.
"I'm pregnant," she told him. Gaara froze.
Unlike now, Hinata hadn't been ill. Kami's gasp drew her attention both of their attentions back to her. A blinding smile appeared on Kami's face. "You're pregnant, Hinata-sama," she chuckled. Hinata froze as did Gaara, but both for different reasons. Still, Hinata forced a smile onto her lips. Kami looked over at the Kazekage, then back at the Kazekage's wife. She smiled happily. "Well, I'll leave you two alone." She told them. Her voice was entirely too pleased for the couple's comfort. The door closed with a click; Gaara approached her instantly. Hinata jumped slightly when Gaara fell to his knees in front of the bed.
"Gaara," Hinata breathed. Her lavender eyes were wide with shock. Gaara took her hands in his and pressed his forehead to them. Hinata blinked. He looked up at her suddenly and pressed a kiss to her hands. His light green eyes were terrified. There had been complication with the first pregnancy. While no one speculated that she would not survive another, the odds, Gaara felt, were against them. After all, both their mothers had died during childbirth.
"I can't…lose you," Gaara told her softly, meekly. Her cheeks flushed at the declaration. Gaara's eyes were filled with terror, but also filled with so much love that it took Hinata's breath away. She had no idea the reason for their marriage, but as she looked at him she could see why she stayed for thirteen years. Those eyes…those beautiful green eyes…spoke volumes to her. Hinata squeezed his hands softly, but she made no promises.