Are You Happy?

Chapter 3

Hinata's health had been slowly fading. Kankuro and Temari were very worried. She and Gaara hadn't spoken to each other since the night she'd confessed to loving someone else. Even though she barely knew him, a part of her felt lost and she missed him dearly. It was to the point now where she had no appetite and no desire to do much of anything. She just lay there in her bed, staring at the ceiling and ignoring anyone who came into the room. Many of the servants had come to visit and try to get her to eat or do something but it had all been in vain. Gaara was not one of those people. She should have known he wouldn't care about her anymore.

Gaara was fed up. He'd tried his best to give his fiancée some space, but this was ridiculous! His servants were obviously not taking good care of her. He growled angrily as he stalked the hallways. No! This was her fault! She was being a spoiled brat, when she had absolutely nothing to sulk about! He should be the one sulking, but he refused to show that kind of weakness. He suddenly turned and stomped the opposite way, towards the one place he'd been avoiding.

The door slammed open so hard, it bounced back with a loud thud. Hinata continued contemplating the ceiling. "Get up!", Gaara snarled. At the voice, Hinata's head snapped toward him. She stared in awe, as if seeing a ghost. "Get up, now!" He quickly crossed the room and grabbed her. By now people were gathering outside the door, gawking at him.

Gaara seemed so angry, but no one was dead... yet. Apparently, someone had summoned Temari. "Gaara! What are you doing?!" Gaara turned flaring turquoise eyes on her.

"Shut up!" With that, he threw Hinata over his shoulder and pushed past.

Too stunned to protest, Hinata floundered there on his shoulder. It was Gaara. Gaara had come for her. So maybe he did still care for her. Gaara headed straight for the dining room and roughly put her in the chair he usually sat in. He glanced up at the crowd who had followed them and said to the chef, "Food. Now." The cook ran off to do his bidding.

The woman came back 15 minutes later with a hearty soup of meat, veggies, and noodles, a dinner roll, and a glass of grape juice. Hinata looked at the food, then back at him. Gaara didn't break eye contact when Kankuro spoke. "She won't eat, Gaara. We..." But whatever he said after that was lost on Gaara because slowly, crystal tears rolled down Hinata's face.

The young Kazekage was immediately alarmed. Soon she was wailing. His earlier anger completely melted away and Gaara did his best to comfort her by placing his hand on her head. When she felt his hand, Hinata launched herself at him.

Temari stared in awe. Gaara in his own way, was showing affection. She had moved to comfort the girl she found so adorable, but her youngest brother beat her to it. What surprised her was when Hinata didn't push Gaara away, but instead sought comfort in his arms. Temari almost busted out laughing at her brother's surprised look and the gasps behind her. She quickly sobered when she saw the Kazekage's eyes soften.

Gaara stared down at his soon-to-be wife and was reminded of how much he cared for her. He pulled her up from her half-hanging position and held her against him tightly. His heartbeat began to speed up. He felt extremely awkward standing there, but for her, he'd bare it.

He heard whispers and finally looked up to notice the crowd of people watching them like some kind of soap opera. He glare, promising death, should they defy him. "Back to work" They scattered like roaches, leaving Temari and Kankuro to stare on. The glare intensified on them. They walked away, Kankuro smirking and Temari with a knowing smile.

When Hinata calmed down he put her back I his chair. She was hesitant but she ate until he was satisfied. Afterward they sat in companionable silence on the living room couch, very close together. Eventually Hinata snuggled into him to seek the sleep she hadn't had in a week and a half. If he were anyone other than Sabaku no Gaara he would have blushed as she tucked her head under his chin. "Thank you for coming to see me Gaara-sama."

His eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at her sleeping form. He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Don't be so sweet, Hinata-chan... I will lose control.", he whispered softly as he picked her up to return her to her room.

The preparations for the marriage ceremony began the very next day. Temari was really excited about being able to plan it and was eager to start before another problem arose. Of course, she did try her best to make this perfect and include Hinata's tastes and ideas.

"So, your dress will be the traditional white."

"Actually--", Hinata began.

"The other colors will be bright yellow and blue!"

"Now that just sounds horr--" Hinata was again cut off.

"What do you think? Archway or no archway?"

Well, I think--"

"You're right, definitely no archway."

By this time Hinata was becoming a little distressed. Here she was being forced to marry this woman's brother, the least she could do was let her have a say in her own wedding! She was just about to try and get Temari's attention when Gaara stepped in looking a little odd. Gaara of the Sand was... fidgeting.

"Um. Hinata-chan would you like to take a break, maybe get some lunch?" Hinata was a little shocked. Gaara never really showed a need for company or an inclination to keep someone company. Still, for some reason, Hinata always wanted to be near him lately. They didn't talk a lot but Hinata was almost always by his side now. She had lessons for being the Kazekage's wife, to prepare her for her future. She usually did her work in Gaara's office while he worked also. He'd even put tons of pillows beside his desk because she claimed that she thought better when laying on her stomach.

When she'd told him that at dinner one night he'd smirked and said that was so her stomach wouldn't rumble in hunger when she'd just eaten five minutes ago. She blushed and pretended offense, while Temari stared at them, wide-eyed, and food actually fell out of Kankuro's mouth.

Hinata snapped out of her thoughts to smile brightly at him. Just because he tolerated her and was enough of a gentleman to make her comfortable, it didn't mean he necessarily welcomed her. It was nice to be asked to be with him. She jumped up, almost slamming a dress book in the blonde's face, and ran to her future husband. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Gaara-sama." He looked away and fidgeted with the sand in his hand again.

"just Gaara." She looked thoughtful then smiled again.

"Gaara-kun!"

He shook his head in mock-exasperation and said, "Come on". Hinata just giggled and followed after him obediently.

Hinata sighed happily as she pulled her hood back. After lunch Gaara had suggested ice-cream and, of course, Hinata readily agreed. She sat at a table while he ordered for them. Hinata's thoughts soon drifted to the wedding preparations. She scowled, wondering how to make Temari give her some freedom without getting violent or making either of them mad.

"The best way to stop Temari, while avoiding any fatalities, is to just tell her what you want, firmly." Hinata's head shot up and Gaara handed her the Vanilla Bean cone. She smiled at Gaara and the longing look he was giving his Cookie Doug ice-cream, then frowned again.

"Will that really work?" Gaara looked up from his distraction to nod at her. Hinata giggled and he cocked an eyebrow.

She giggled once more and wiped his face with her thumb. "You're making a mess." She stuck the appendage in her mouth and sucked on it for a second before pulling it back out again. It was a purely innocent gesture but Gaara saw it as something else entirely.

He didn't know what to call that feeling when his heart skipped a beat, but he could certainly identify the feeling in his lower region. He stuck his tongue out to lick his lips and saw Hinata's eyes widen before she blushed and hurriedly looked away. He smirked. Maybe his fiancé was feeling it too.