Our Dark Waltz Chapter 6: Turning Me Into The Light, a naruto fanfic

Dance me into the night
Underneath the moon shining so bright
Turning me into the light...

Kankuro sat with Temari on his bed, rubbing her back tentatively. She hadn't spoken since Gaara had left the room. That had been several minutes ago. Silence now permeated the room except for sniffles from Temari and her exhalations of air. Kankuro knew two things: he hated silence and he found it weird seeing Temari cry. She was the foundation of the family and he wasn't about to see her fold now. He cleared his throat and stood, putting his hands behind his head.

"So, um, Temari-chan, where do you think Gaara went? It's late."

Temari lifted her eyes up to the table where Gaara had been at last and slowly slid red rimmed eyes to him.

"Where do you think?"

Kankuro frowned. "Not the Hyuga compound. He is an idiot if he does that."

Temari's eyes went back to the table and she gestured to it with a flick of the wrist.

"He won't come back here tonight."

"What? Why the hell not?" Kankuro burst out while turning his body to look over to where her hand had pointed. It was then that he knew and understood.

A broken cup sat on the table, grains of sand surrounding the fragile pieces. Gaara had held it when he had asked them if he was a monster.

Silence again.

Kankuro hated silence but he hated it more when Temari was right.

XXXXX

Hinata held her small arms to herself, letting her feet lead her to the beautiful waterfall. Thoughts were jumbled in her brain, leaving her scatter brained and unaware of the twigs tearing at her pants and jacket. She had tripped over a branch and a rock twice. She had to stop once to pluck a thorn from the fabric of her jacket. Everything about the day had been so upside down, almost like some sort of dream…maybe a nightmare?

She shook her head and put her hair up loosely. I need to focus, I can't think about the headache and Father's scolding about how I shouldn't have been so careless. I also can't think about how…he…had nearly touched my hand.

She glanced at her hand and turned it around in a circle, before dropping it in a huff and narrowing her eyes on the worn rocks that made a type of bridge over the pool of the waterfall. Her eyes twinkled and she excitedly placed her jacket on the grass, nearly running next to the falls. She had found the crystalline waterfall close to her favorite spot so enchanting and calming. It was a constant flow of energy, something she loved to look at with her Byakugan activated. She could remember fond memories here as a young child, Father taking her hand and showing her the falls where some of the most beautiful flowers grew next to the shallow pool. Father's eyes full of emotion as he watched a young Hinata smell the flowers and dip a finger into the water to gape at a colorful fish.

If only a smile could come easily now from him, but Father will smile now after I show the Hyuga my newest idea. I-I can do this now. I-I know it!

Hinata removed her sandals, letting her feet hit the cold grass and crouched by the water's edge. Peering into the surface, she let a soft smile out and skirted a fingertip along the water. Small waves broke up her reflection. Hinata closed her eyes and simply felt, calming her body and mind before rising up to make her way to the worn rocks.

She nimbly used hopped from rock to rock to center her self in the middle and plant her feet shoulder width apart. The soft foam of the water kissed along her head, moving her to give out a deep breath. She brought her hand to her lips and whispered in concentration.

"Byakugan!"

Chakra flooded the veins along her temples and hit through her whole body like a flash of lightening. She opened her eyes, letting all of the life force of each creature enter her vision. Tsunade had been right about her accuracy with the Byakugan. It was…something else.

To see each and every bit of chakra surging through the smallest insect to the largest mammal was just so, so…beautiful. I may be the only one to think that but to see such things makes mefeel so connected to the earth I walk on and with each being on it, Hinata thought while gently touching her heart and biting her lip.

With that last thought, she took her stance she had been using and kept two fingers close to her lips. It was building, flooding her, all of the energy almost like a dam about to burst. She felt the familiar buzzing on her palms and knew the chakra was creating a blue aura along her hands. Almost, almost. J-just a few more seconds.

Then it came, that old sensation of fear slinking into her brain and making her concentration wobble once more. She could feel her skin become too hot then too cold. Her knees began to get weak and a cold sweat started to break along her forehead. I-I must s-stay confident. Stay c-confident!

Suddenly strange words entered her head, so sudden her eyes opened and her eyebrows rose in surprise.

If you relaxed more, you might succeed with smoother chakra control. Less fear and anxiety, more control and more confidence…

Hinata felt her brain freeze, the words repeating again. She felt her hand rise up once more to her face. She could see the wavering of blue chakra fading in and out. M-maybe, maybe I-I should try. I will t-take his advice. Something a-about his voice…he was so sincere like, l-like he wanted t-to really help me. I-Ican DO this!

"I c-can do this. Self-confidence. I-I will believe!"

Hinata lowered her hands, feeling her body relax. Her breaths became slow and deep, the chakra flowing steady. That frantic fear was leaving, leaking out as something bright and strong replaced it. Something new, something almost like a flash of light. Waves, this new energy resembled waves rushing over her and into her. Hinata opened her eyes quickly after feeling her brow relax and brought her hands up. Both palms, even her forearms, were lit up with a bright shade of blue.

Tears threatened to spill as she turned her arms around and clasped her hands together.

Father will be so proud, the Hyuga will no longer look so sad. And I have you to thank…Gaara-san. Thank you.

XXXXX

Gaara turned his wrist and rubbed his fingers together, watching the flakes of sand break off. He had been careless breaking that cup and now chakra was being wasted in fixing his sand armor. Yet at the time, it seemed…fine and Shukaku agreed with him. The fire inside his veins, the throbbing in his head and the pain in his chest demanded some sort of…release. Something to make him push Shukaku's violent impulses and words away. But could he delude himself and believe they were all Shukaku's feelings?

A monster is a monster forever.

Now you are beginning to understand, Gaara of the Desert. Hehe. How foolish of you to think otherwise. Maybe now you should rest your weary mind…

No, not ever. I am not that foolish. You will never control me again. Do not be so arrogant.

Your chest hurts. I know you are rubbing it. It isn't physical pain, you know you can never be hurt. Your heart aches, boy.

I do not understand. You have lied to me enough.

So be it. You can lie to yourself over and over. Maybe madness will take you again. The idea of blood soon is satisfying. Maybe HER blood…

Gaara's eyes snapped open and darted them around. His hand had been clutching at his shirt tightly, a sheen of sweat glistening on it. He was siting up in the tree again, near the falls. Something about the waterfall had called to him, despite the uneasiness of being around water. He knew water style wielders had an advantage with him, so the idea of being close to water at times would unnerve him. Tonight was different. Tonight the water proved to be calming and an actual pleasure to look at, having water hardly around him at home.

The waterfall sparkles like crystal tears. Would her tears be as beautiful?

Gaara moved his hair to the side and let a small frown pass over his face before clearing his mind. He would be reasonable and gather his mind to not be confused. He needed to see a medic nin about his chest pains and headache. The Haruno girl seemed…trustworthy and skilled enough under the Hokage's training thus far. She could figure out this strange condition because he certainly couldn't. Maybe it was linked to the chest pains he had as a young child. Yashamaru could have done something to him and he would not have known it. Maybe a poison…

Before Gaara could think more deeply, he felt a rise in chakra and the sight of flickering blue light. He shot up and jumped from tree to tree, the leaves a blur before he landed on the closest tree to the waterfall. He lounged against the large oak, arms crossed and feet apart. As he moved to unplug his gourd, his arm froze and he felt his mouth open a little.

She was dancing, her movement so graceful and quick. She would be like the dancers Temari talked about at the festivals, the ones at the plays and at those strange balls she liked to go to. Gaara had shrugged at the time but now he wondered if this is what it would be like.

No, not at all. This is would put them to shame. The movements are almost sacred. I shouldn't be here at this moment.

Gaara felt the waves of chakra, the most pure he had ever felt and tinged with innocence so deep he felt his eyes close. He was not innocent and had never been around anyone close to but now he knew what it felt like. It made him feel…

Gaara let out a grunt and clutched his chest. His eyes squeezed shut as one hand rubbed through his hair. He had fallen to one knee and felt his body tremble. He felt his breaths leave uneven. He turned his head but fought to slowly open one eye to look once more at the scene before him.

Hinata.It could be no other. She looked so…happy, like a child as she twirled around and around nearly giggling. Blue sparks snapped all around her and twirled just the same as a dancing partner would. She stopped in her dance, clutching her hands to her chest and raising her head to the moon's gaze. Her pale eyes opened slowly, a smile stretching out on her lips.

Gaara froze. He did not move but when he did he only had one thought.

It looks like my words helped you, Hinata. You…listened to me. You are one of the first and few people to listen to me. Thank you…Hinata.

XXXXXX

"Tsunade thanks you for assistance with the missions that brought your team here and sends kind wishes and regards to Suna. Konoha wishes you a safe journey to your village,"Shikamaru intoned slowly, hands in his pockets.

The sand siblings stood near the gates to the village, each one in a different emotional state. Shikamaru noticed the usually fiery Temari looked ghostly, which somehow bothered him. Kankuro looked drained and tired, the puppets he carried looking too heavy now. Shikamaru noticed the only calm one, as always, was Gaara. Of course he would be calm. The guy was pretty much a blank slate now.

"We send equal thanks and appreciate the hospitality," mumbled Kankuro almost to himself.

Temari frowned and smacked Kankuro. "Honestly? Be a little bit more sincere and kind. Sorry, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru sighed and looked at the sky. Nope, Temari was the same as normal. Women really are troublesome.

"Well, have a good journey."

Shikamaru looked up into the sky as he heard the siblings turn to start walking. The footsteps stopped for a second. Shikamaru rose one eyebrow to see that Gaara had stopped for a brief second and turn his head over his shoulder to look back.

Shikamaru gave a curious, questioning look to him. Gaara slowly turned back around, the usual poker face on and kept walking. Those three are troublesome…

XXXXXX

"Hinata, wait! Hinata! C'mon, wait up!"Kiba shouted followed by the barks of Akamaru.

Hinata didn't have time to stop. She pumped her legs, running down the busy street and careful to avoid colliding with anyone in the way. Apologies were softly given out, even to Ino and Choji as they walked out of the flower shop. Ino had given her a weird look before huffing and making Choji carry her load of deliveries.

Almost, almost!

Hinata skidded to a stop after crossing a small bridge and hid her body behind a small wall. Her heart beat fiercely in her chest and her breathing was quick and fast. The yukata was soaked at the collar from sweat and dust covered her hem. It was not too long ago that Kiba had visited the compound, interrupting Hinata strolling with Ko out in the gardens. Ko had nearly doubled over when Hinata had gently shoved her parasol at him and quickly excused herself. Kiba was equally shocked, but agreed to walk with Hinata to the gate where the sand siblings were. Kiba was glad they were leaving and thought Hinata would be the same.

Hinata tried to stop shaking and peeked an eye out to see Shikamaru with the sand siblings. They all stood silently with arms crossed or by their sides. Hinata focused on the one she came to see and felt her cheeks heat up. Her hand trembled, clutching the edge of the wall hard. Before she could blink, the siblings turned and started to move away.

She watched them leave, the trembling nearly lessening. Her eyes were frozen, peeking from under her dark bangs. She had wanted to…well she didn't know really. After last night's success, she felt so light and happy especially after showing her Father and Neji the move she had created. The shock and pride in their faces was enough to satisfy a lifetime. Now, she was here and she wasn't sure why she had come so quickly. She was thankful, but she didn't understand why she should feel so flushed.

Before she could turn away, feeling a small ache in her chest and her shoulders sagging, a small light breeze flew past her hand.

Odd, it feels rough. Like grains or something. Its not breezy today. In fact its very-

Hinata looked down and brought her wrist up to see bits of sand dance along her hand and away back into the sky. She put her hand to face and felt a small smile form on her lips.

"Hey Hinata! Why are you blushing? Did you see Naruto?"

Hinata knew she felt a light feeling in her chest before blackness overwhelmed her and she fainted right into Kiba's arms.

Kiba looked down and shook his head before looking at Akamaru.

"What is it with Hinata? All I did was say his name."

"Whoof whoof!"

"I know. I don't get it either.

A/N: I thank everyone for the reviews. I knocked out this chapter tonight after letting it turn in my head all day and I came up with this. I wasn't as detailed about Hinata finally nailing the Protection of the 8 Trigrams 64 Palms. It was about the emotion and sensation of the move. She does it in the anime by a waterfall and Naruto sees her, if I am correct. I used that sequence but with Gaara. It was really beautiful seeing Hinata like that. Gaara deserves some beauty in his life...but is this more torture for him and will the consequences be for both? Also the opening part is an excerpt from a song that inspired this story in a way for me, what made me change it. I will include the whole song at the end of the story. If you know the song, ssshhhh. Its a secret ending!