Copyright notice: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
She Walks In Beauty
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
Lord Byron
Hinata stood silently in front of her tall mirror, gazing deeply at the sight of her dress and body. Rays of sun from the morning light lit up the shades of her vibrantly dyed dress the Hyuga women had worked on a few days before. They had settled on the softest trevella cloth, which Hinata knew must have been expensive for them to acquire from the market. The dyes faded into one another, creating some sort of flame along her gown. This was meant to be a travelling dress, something elegant but simple to symbolize peace with Sunagakure and Konohagakure.
Hinata flung her sleeves back to touch the criss crossed obi to adjust her cowl and fix her long braid that draped down her back. She timidly touched her face then the sleeves of her arms, feeling the thin but snug material. This was something she was unused to…to be so incognito.
Can I do this? I have never been so far from Konoha. I would rather wear my kunoichi outfit with my comfy capri leggings and jacket. So odd…
"Lady Hinata, the Ambassador of Suna and the Suna nin await you at the gates. We must get going if we are to arrive before the heat of the desert becomes deadly."
Hinata gasped and turned to see a lightly but well armed Ko in the doorway of her room. She lightly smiled and nodded before moving to follow him. As she walked lightly behind Ko's larger body, she heard whispers of the Hyuga that passed and felt the stares from some. Hinata recognized prayers for her safety and even the random speculation of her possibly failing her mission.
Hinata bit her lip and held her hands together, watching Ko push open the front doors to grab her large parcel the women had packed and pause to follow her along the stone path outside the gates of the compound. With one small look back, Hinata only had one thought.
W-will I fail, like they think?
XXXXXX
Temari wiped at her black kimono and huffed lightly to herself. The sand nin with her gave a look of impatience, a look she also returned. The heat would hit quick and sandstorms were unpredictable in the desert. They needed to leave soon. Before Temari could think of sending one of the nin to the compound, she put a hand over her eyes and squinted at the bright flashes of light nearing her direction.
As she lowered her mesh covered palm, she soon recognized a very colorfully dressed Hinata and her silent bodyguard behind her approaching swiftly. Temari let her eyes surmise the bright dye of Hinata's clothing before looking at her with skepticism and surprise, even a little admiration. She never thought Hinata would wear such neon colors well. It looked like she could, but why now?
"You're a little late. So, why the way too colorful gown…and why a gown? You're a kunoichi, Hinata?"
Hinata paused thoughtfully before gently replying.
"M-my dress was made to symbolize peace a-and represent Konoha…a-and the L-land of Fire."
Temari sighed.
Smart move on the Hyuga's side. I still wonder about the hooded outfit. Impractical.
"Well, lets move. The sandstorms can get moody and the heat might…beat down you pretty hard. You're not used to the desert. Impress me, Hinata."
"Address the heiress of the Hyuga as Lady Hinata, Ambassador."
Temari snapped her head to the wooden baritone of Hinata's bodyguard. She could feel her nails dig into her fan and had to curtail any thoughts of anger.
"Ko-san, please. Temari is…a friend."Hinata gently whispered to her bodyguard before smiling lightly at Temari and adjusting her cowl. "We move then, Temari-san."
Another point for the Hyuga, especially Hinata. The politeness and manners might pay off…but with the Suna council…
Temari snapped her fan and whipped it to fit onto her back. She snapped her fingers, the other Suna nin huffing and walking past the gate. Time to move out because none of them wanted to think about sandstorms. The last thing Temari wanted was sand under her kimono and a very battered Hinata Hyuga to present.
The party moved past the gates of Konoha and towards Sunagakure.
XXXXXX
Atop a close building, Hinata's teammates watched with concerned eyes as their team mate walked away with the Suna nin. Kiba growled, flexing his clawed hands while Akamaru whined next to his thigh. Shino stood still, hands in his pockets and shades set on his nose.
"Dammit, I don't like this. Yeah, Hinata is a chunin and she's done so much better. She talks more and laughs,"Kiba moaned out loud.
"Yes. She has some wit."
Kiba rubbed his skull and stood. "Shino, she is like a sister. I don't like-"
"She is also a kunoichi and a Hyuga. As the future heiress of the Hyuga clan, she must always prove herself capable and worthy of being head of her clan. Never forget her responsibilities. She isn't as she was. Think of her as she is now, not then. She has grown as you all have…well one of you."
Kiba started, letting his claws out and facing the sarcastic voice behind him. Shino remained as he was, but let his head lean to the person speaking behind him. It was none other than Kakashi, book in hand and the one exposed eye skimming the pages.
"What the-"
Kakashi raised a finger to his covered mouth. "Shhh, I am on the climax."
Kiba huffed and plopped down. Pervert, he thought glumly before brining his eyes back to the gates and past them into the forest and beyond.
Hinata…
XXXXXX
The sand whipped in the air wildly, the grains blistering across the exposed skin of Hinata's brows and closed eyelids. Her sandaled feet sunk in the burning sand, her dress whipping behind her while Ko held firmly onto her upper arm and keeping a grip onto the parcel by his thigh.
Hinata hadn't expected such terrible, gruesome weather to hit them. She also had never travelled to a desert before and thus far it was proving challenging to say the least. It was good Temari had recommended not just a flask of water but a camel bag of it. Hinata found herself tiring quickly from fighting the force of the wind and drinking often from the bag Ko gave her. She noticed he barely drank and persevered hard, only making his concern her health.
Hinata moved her hand from her eyes to sneak a peak at Temari and the Suna ninja. They marched on as if the swirling wind was a simple annoyance, like a bug fluttering in the air that was barely swatted at. Temari often checked on Hinata, even provided smiles after awkward pats. She seemed sure Hinata was fine and trudged on.
So why do your smiles seem layered with concern and fear? Am I such a weakling, a worry, something like a small child?
As Hinata pulled her cowl lower over her face, she felt Temari's hand tap her shoulder firmly. She opened her eyes briefly to see her other hand point at a canyon and beyond that a large fortified area. It must be the village, with the plastered rotundas and spire towers. Hinata quickly nodded, pushing her feet to follow the party quicker with the bits of chakra she could manage.
Temari gestured to the ninja at the towers by the gate to open quickly. The party pushed forward until their sandaled feet hit solid ground and the loud crashing of the gate slammed shut behind them. The sand ninja shook their capes free of the wild sand and rolled the fabric under their packs. Temari removed her own cape and looked over towards Hinata.
She looks weathered. That sandstorm nearby was rather rough, especially for strangers to our deserts. I hope we made the right choice. Hinata, please let me be right…for all our sakes.
"Hinata, how are you?"
XXXXXX
Hinata brushed the grains of sand from her gown and sleeves before pushing back the cowl from her head. Her long braid was still intact with hardly a grain of sand to be found. She let out a sigh of relief, even as her small legs trembled from exhaustion. Ko immediately focused on her and took the camel bag from his side to give her gulps of water.
Hinata tried to smile gently and shake her head.
"I'm fine, Ko-san."
"Hinata, how are you?"
Hinata swung her head to Temari and fidgeted with her sleeves before nodding her head.
"I-I am fine. When d-do I meet y-your council?"
"In a few hours, when dusk falls."
"Hinata-sama must rest, Ambassador."
Hinata touched Ko's bicep before nodding slowly to Temari, her nose scrunched and eyes lost in thought.
"I w-will be ready in two hours. I-is that o-o-okay, Temari-san?"
XXXXXX
"I w-will be ready in two hours. I-is that o-o-okay, Temari-san?"
Temari could barely withhold her expression, her eyes widening and her mouth almost open. She was completely taken aback, speechless. For once, speechless and shocked by this small weak looking creature before her.
Hinata…is this really you? You have changed.
"You're sure? You look exhausted-"
Hinata shook her head. "Let me w-wash up a-and we can m-meet. I-I would like t-to see Kankuro. He w-was k-kind to me l-last time."
"Um, sure. Maybe dinner or something."
"Okay, ummm i-is…i-is-"
Hinata's bodyguard, Ko, touched her arm and whispered in her ear. Hinata thinned her lips and nodded.
"I need to get ready."
"Right. The ninja beside you will escort you to your quarters and I'll make sure to come see you when its time. Many people want to meet you, Hinata."
Temari saw Hinata's eyes brighten before she looked to the ninja Temari motioned at. Temari almost punched herself in the shoulder as the ninja suppressed shock then a light blush as Hinata shyly greeted him and followed him with barely audible footsteps.
Walks, moves, almost talks like noblitity. Why didn't I see this before. You really have changed. You're even making me…relaxed, like I shouldn't even worry about this situation with my brother.
Temari felt her back stiffen, as if being watched and felt cold dread.
How will the council treat her? She is foreign and young. Anyone would find her meek and small. What if they insult her, mock her, turn her down? I worry how…a certain person would take it. He's been restless lately, impatient for someone so…well Gaara. He doesn't even know she is the one we picked.
Temari noticed Ko turn to leave with the huge parcel Hinata had brought along. Before he left, she walked toward him and whistled.
"Ko-san, why did Hinata choose that gown? Why didn't she wear her ninja uniform?"
Ko remained silent, his white eyes focused on her before calmly answering.
"Lady Hinata desired to wear something…to please your council and the Hyuga."
"I gathered that much, but cowl and that layered hood? I could barely see her eyes."
Ko then looked deeply, almost painfully in her eyes.
"Lady Hinata was almost kidnapped during the Oto invasion. The Byakugan is highly…desired by many nations, especially one village for private reasons. It is for safety that she wears something…to hide her eyes and appearance, especially on such an important mission for her. Lady Hinata can speak more on it with you later if you wish. I must go assist my lady."
Temari felt her pallor lighten and her swim.
Oh no…now I have two concerns: the council and the life of a renowned Hyuga member wanted by nations for her kekkai genkai.
XXXXXX
Temari felt the cool air upon her skin and along her shoulders as dusk settled. The open balcony of her room gave her a wide view of the village, something she enjoyed greatly during festivals and starry nights. Right now, she received little comfort from the stars and the moon.
Temari gave a last look at her thin multi-layered dress with the crimson under layers and black lacing along the obi and sleeves. Her hair was swept into one small bun, black lace bedding covering the hair while black beads hung along the temples and down the sides of her face. This would have to do. For the council meeting, she needed the image of steel and wisdom and not beauty.
She quickly left her room and made her way through the maze of exhausting hallways until reaching the round main room of the private building she lived in with her brothers. She took a breath and barely jumped when Kankuro appeared, dressed in a dark mahogany yukata with mesh underlining on the chest and forearms.
Temari raised an eyebrow, receiving a shrug from Kankuro.
"A-are we leaving?"
The softest voice echoed in the brightly lit chamber as both siblings looked over to the being that spoke and felt their faces freeze.
XXXXXX
Gaara sat with his knees bent and hands draped over them. His loos black tunic and pants blew in the soft breeze from the night sky. The scrolls beside his gourd started to roll off the top of the roof he sat on before he opened darkened lids and blinked his eyes. The whispering sand from his gourd easily caught the scrolls before resting them beside his thigh once more. Gaara moved a hand through his growing hair before feeling a calm move over his body and a wave he had never found himself able to explain wash over his chest.
He flared his nostrils and stood, feeling the breeze whip more steadily along his head and chest.
Lavender…
I know this…scent…
Purity…
What is this…feeling?
Gaara shook his head. He needed to find Baki and discuss when the council would hold their next meeting. He couldn't wait an eternity, not for this and maybe not for anything else.
A voice deep down inside whispered out through his body, while he clutched his chest.
Maybe she will think of me if I become Kage?
Maybe she will see…maybe everyone will see the changes I have put on myself to make.
I care for my village, I would do anything to protect it.
But…Hinata…will you see I have changed?
Will it matter?
XXXXXX
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
-Lord Byron
Author Note: I have been wanting to get this out as soon as I could. I did research on architecture and costumes. Sunagakure will be opposites in many ways from Konohagakure. Its a desert village and culture so I want to go more exotic but still simple at once. I'll see how it goes. Please enjoy. The poem I used is by Lord Byron. Its one of my favorites and suited Hinata in many ways. Hopefully no huge grammar and spelling issues. Let me know if so. It happens at 2 am.