Copyright notice: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
Journey: The Sleeping Sun
We are the lucky ones
We shine like a thousand suns
When all of the colour runs together
XXXXXX
"Ko-san, please understand. Gaara-san must come to present himself to the daimyo," Hinata quietly argued once more to a very irritated Ko. Ko simply nodded with a stern look and apologized before bowing.
The harsh sun was nearly burning Hinata's alabaster skin, her body and mind still adapting to the severe difference between Suna and Konoha. Ko remained close to her side, providing a shield from the rays and support when she needed water or ointment for any burns that were appearing.
Hinata had thought hard about wearing her bright flame robe or her ninja outfit. She had fidgeted and paced her room at the former Kage's building, trying to wisely decide between the two. She also found herself worrying about the trip to see the daimyo. Harsh sandstorms, the sun beating down on her and the intelligence from Temari that the journey to the daimyo would be no longer than two days had frightened her. She decided then on something different, both fit for a kunoichi and a Hyuga. She knew now it was both a good and bad idea.
Temari and Kankuro were by the gate at first light of dawn, almost before it. The colors of the purple night and the oranges of day were running together, creating a beautiful scene against the beige buildings and towers of Suna.
Hinata swept her hair back from her face; the loose strands from her side braid tickling her tingling skin.
Self-confidence!
Gaara was nowhere to be seen near his siblings that now gathered near their mentor Baki and the other darkly dressed young man. She now recognized him from the council.
"Ah, the young Hyuga joins us now. Your journey will be two days length. I hope you prepared for such a dangerous amount of exposure to our sun."
Hinata glanced at the man briefly, her eyes widening and taking in his sharp eyes and wild hair. There was something…uncomfortable in the way he looked at her now. She had noticed it at the council upon handing the scroll to him during her meeting with the council and now. She felt his stare upon her being even after she lowered her own eyes.
"Be wary and cautious, Hinata-sama. The ninja of Sunagakure are vicious and cunning. Stay alert for everything and everyone," Neji had warned her during her last visit to him. His dark words and serious expression made her breath stop.
A soft thud hit the ground close to her side as she felt a warm presence and the feeling of sand against her face. She raised her head and looked at the sight of tangled hair and a painted gourd.
Gaara.
His body unfolded from the ground, the sand returning to his uncorked gourd. He was fully dressed in his mahogany tunic and pants. He kept a side pouch near his back along one of his many belts and a newly added medical pouch she hadn't recognized before. He gazed deeply at the men in front of him, his hand near his main belt where her sharp eyes caught a small bulge. It must have been important as he fingered it protectively.
He locked eyes with the men and blinked slowly before letting his hand drop. He let his narrow green eyes lock with her own, his gaze nearly blank except for the burning fire deep within the green shades.
"Hinata, you packed properly for the trip? Water, food and medical supplies are hard to come by."
"Y-yes."
Gaara looked over to his siblings and let his gravelly voice roll out.
"We will avoid villages and caravans. You understand why. We will not risk Hinata's health."
Ko spoke up angrily. "Hinata-sama will be well cared for. We will not risk her life."
Gaara let his gaze slide over, barely registering Ko's presence before looking over Hinata once more.
"None of us will risk Hinata's health."
Temari tapped her fan and spoke up hurriedly.
"We need to move now and quickly. There is an oasis on the map I drew we need to reach before the heat becomes too much. If we can make it before dusk, we've made it halfway. Lets go."
The gate creaked and slowly opened before them. Each sibling strode through quickly, soon followed by Hinata and Ko.
"Best wishes, Hinata. I thank you for what you have done and will accomplish for Gaara."Baki gently spoke to Hinata. His tanned face radiated warmth, as best as his rough appearance could.
The darkly dressed man uncrossed his arms and held Hinata's hand tightly.
"Yes, good luck Hyuga-sama. We will pray to the gods and wish no harm should fall on such a grand specimen worthy of Konoha. May no danger fall on you, dear lady," the man spoke while lowering his lips to her palm. His eyes were shining and his lips appeared quick to smile and smirk.
Hinata blushed deeply, her hand returning to her chest as she stuttered and dashed after the others.
XXXXXX
It was the first day of travel after hours of long walking and occasional breaks for water. They had not come upon any other existing villages as agreed upon. Ko had been torn, but Hinata had looked over at Gaara's expression during the debate. He was distant from the others, walking on the side and paying attention to the horizon in front of them.
His face was that of granite. His eyes were unusually serious at times while at others narrowed in deep thought before shifting like the sand into a blank slate. Gaara fit the land he came from, from the shifting sands with the fire from the sun to the cold nights with their bright stars.
"We are close, Hinata-chan. If you need water, take it now and use any ointments."
Temari.
"Kankuro, scout ahead for the oasis."
"On it!"
Kankuro soon bounded off, his large basket of deadly puppets swinging on his back.
Ko stopped by a winded Hinata, his eyes severe and his speech only directed towards her. He leaned down to Hinata's shoulder before whispering.
"I do not like how this Sabaku no Gaara looks upon you. Hyuga eyes see through his icy demeanor. There are cracks in the armor of sand."
Hinata rubbed her temples.
"Ko-san, p-please. I-I am tired. I am s-scared of failing. He l-looks upon me to help him, which I will because it is r-right."
Ko nodded. "Yes, mi lady."
"They are f-friends. T-They look a-a-after my health. I-I need to be strong."
Before Ko could respond, Kankuro bounded back in excitement.
"Found it! It's a pretty nice oasis if you ask me. Fairly big with nice acacia and peach trees, clear water, and desert hollies. I took a nice drink and relaxed there…"
Temari swiped him with her smaller fan before scoffing. "Enough!"
Kankuro held his covered head before smirking at Temari and wiping the sand off his pant, winking at a blushing Hinata.
"All right, lets move. We can camp at the oasis and move at dawn. First light. I am so over the sand creeping down my kimono's collar."Temari ordered swiftly before casting a concerned look at the red faced Hinata.
"You're fine, Hinata? We can stop longer-"
"You underestimate her, Temari. We move now."
Gaara uncrossed his arms from his small perch at the edge of the group and began his march at the head of the party. His hand was once again rubbing at his belt before returning to swing by his side.
Hinata cocked her head at Ko, wiping the sweat off her brow and bringing the hood of her pale tan jacket over her head. They followed quickly in succession, both Hyuga thankful for the oasis ahead of them.
Hinata felt her heart warm and her eyes water.
Thank you, Gaara…for believing in me.
XXXXXX
The oasis was more than beautiful. It was…surreal and mystifying. The acacia and pear trees bent on their sides, their leaves creating large amounts of shade to linger on their patches of golden sand. The pool of water was sparkling and clear, the surface still as a painting. Hinata could not even begin to summon words for the pear flowers or luscious desert hollies underneath.
Temari swung her pack on the sand and stabbed her large fan into the ground with a heavy thud.
"All right, here we are. Kankuro, scout around-"
"Do not trouble yourself, Kankuro."
Gaara spoke up after his lengthy silence, the sand swirling around his lithe body before he disappeared.
Kankuro looked over the rest of them and shrugged.
"Well, he is the better scout. No sweat off my back, literally."
Ko turned to Hinata and dropped the heavy pack into the sand. He nodded and stretched his brawny arms before he started to build their two separate shelters.
Hinata shrugged off her own pack and unstrapped her low heeled sandals, shaking out the sand and dipping pale toes into the pool of water. She knew the crystal depths of the oasis should have amazed her but she could only think of two thoughts.
Gaara, why aren't you speaking to me?
I hope I don't fail your village.
She unbraided her long hair and waded into the water, activated her Byakugan, and felt the chakra surround her body. She would enjoy the energy around her and let it fill her body. This would be the last time to feel such calm warmth before the last stretch to the daimyo's palace. She needed all the strength she could muster…and hope.
XXXXXX
A mere hour later, Hinata swept back her hair and slowly pulled herself onto the edge of the oasis. The swim had been…breathtaking and relaxing. No one had bothered her, which made for great meditation and a little trepidation. She had let herself feel the chakra from the smallest grain of sand to the large acacia trees around her. The Land of Wind was proving to be strange, becoming both mystical and deadly. Before she could relax against the tree, she noticed the sitting form of Temari against the large pear tree.
"Y-you startled me."
Temari smirked. "Now is not the time to be startled, Hinata."
Hinata sat close to Temari, her legs pulled up to her chin and her fingers circling the prickly pear flowers underneath her.
Temari sighed then turned her head toward her.
"Hinata, what is the Hyuga compound like?"
Hinata bit her lips and lowered her eyes.
Don't give too much away…
"Strict, s-structured…and, um, respected."
"I assumed such. I wanted to know what it was like for you. What did you learn? You're not like the others I've witnessed. You're not…a blank canvas."
Silence.
"It w-was difficult. I was…a bit of a disappointment to my family, my father, my branch. I trained hard, but it n-never seemed enough…for anyone…for myself. I wanted to change."
Temari nodded before looking into Hinata's eyes deeply, an emotion under the surface Hinata hadn't witnessed before.
"Is that why you wish to help my brother so strongly?"
"Yes."Hinata responded without hesitation before lowering her eyes.
"What did you do besides train? I can tell you learned certain skills nobles learn…true?"
Hinata held her knees tighter before letting out a breath.
"I would learn c-calligraphy. Father d-did t-t-this as a hobby. I would join at times, but I would mostly try to paint. I a-also learned dance, serving tea f-for my Father, and music. It w-was fine but I found solace in other…hobbies."
Temari eyed the flowers Hinata caressed and let out a little hmph.
"You enjoy the solace of flowers."
"Yes, I do. I have…a garden. I plant them myself and press them. I go there when I want…solace."
"Ah. Well I like flowers too. Sunflowers specifically. Too bad the Kage's garden is dead. We just don't have time and resources to revive it."
Hinata nodded slowly.
Temari stood up and stretched her arms above her head.
"Well, I'm off to rest. Don't tell anyone I like flowers."
"She wears them at festivals, huge ones!"
Hinata placed a hand over her mouth, hearing Kankuro's loud voice and Temari's grumbling as she tensely trudged away. Hinata stood up, letting the water drip from her pants and undershirt. She twirled her hair, squeezing water out when she froze upon noticing the dark form of Gaara standing not too far away at the edge of the oasis.
She sighed and walked timidly to meet him.
XXXXXX
Gaara's arms were crossed tightly, the rough fabric scratching the sand underneath along his skin. He felt his chest rise and fall deeply, taking in the wind sweeping across their campsite. It would be cold tonight, but it was cold every night. He packed very light, hardly bringing much at all except for the formal uniform Temari asked he wear. He had agreed slowly, finding himself wanting to impress another for once. It was a simple given that he needed to dress like a future Kage, but he wanted to impress Hinata. He wanted her to see that maybe, just maybe, he could look elegant and cleaned up.
Less like a weapon.
He closed his weary eyes, letting his mind recall the long day. He had suffered a long journey, as far as his mind was concerned, fighting for control and peace with Shukaku. The damn demon wanted to tease him, threaten him, and strip his…insecurities to nothing. Yes, he could admit to insecurities and readily. Arrogance was, in his opinion, the key loss of a man in battle and in peace times.
The demon had laid such a strong siege upon his mind, especially concerning the soft Hinata, that his head aches raged. The further he was from her on the journey, it seemed the less the pain was in his mind even if it panged another part of him.
Yashamaru…
"Gaara-san?"
Gaara opened his eyes and loosened his hold on his arms.
"Yes, Hinata-san?"
He could feel the warmth radiating from her body as she stood near him, her own arms wrapped around her tiny frame. Her long, black hair snapped in the wind.
"H-how are you? Your head ached."
The Byakugan…I forgot while fighting Shukaku.
"I am fine now. Your health is most important."
"Gaara-san, d-d-d-do not worry f-for me so much."
Gaara let his eyes look to her before facing toward her, his eyes taking in her form from her pale feet to her lavender eyes.
"You're going to become ill, as wet as you are."
"Gaara-san, t-t-thank you."
Gaara cocked his head, honestly confused.
"For what?"
Her eyes lowered, her dark lashes kissing her flushing cheeks. The water glistened on the tips…why was he studying her so intently?
You know why.
"Thank y-you f-for believing in me."
Hinata trembled now, the cold getting to her and began to walk away after a brief silence. Gaara felt something twist in his stomach and in his chest. He knew not long ago it wasn't a medical problem, after it seemingly became stronger but didn't alter his health.
"Hinata?"
Silence.
"Y-yes, Gaara?"
"Your name, it means sunlight?"
"My father named me. It m-means a sunny p-place."
Gaara closed his eyes and opened them to look at her gentle face.
"That is appropriate, to me."
XXXXXX
The night had proved cold and windy. The morning sun was unbearable as everyone packed up their gear and prepared for another day of journey. Ko handed Hinata her kunai pouch and herbs while strapping on his own pouch. Kankuro had brushed on his face paint then strapped on his basket of puppets. Temari shoved her small fan into the back of her obi and adjusted her sandals.
Hinata noticed Gaara stood off to the side, arms crossed and already ready before the others had crawled from their shelters.
She caught his tired eyes and let a small smile begin to form on her lips. This was before the sand twisted out from his gourd, before his vulnerable face shifted into that of a predator. She felt herself tremble, watching his predatory gaze.
Then she heard it, the whistling sound of metal as the spinning blade grazed along her cheek.
XXXXXX
I wish for this night-time to last for a lifetime
The darkness around me
Shores of a solar sea
Oh how I wish to go down with the sun
Sleeping
Weeping
With you...
- Nightwish "Sleeping Sun"
Author Note: Late chapter...but severe colds can impair writing. Please enjoy. I double checked my spelling. I know there was a question about Shukaku and Hinata. Shukaku knows Gaara wants Hinata romantically and of course physically so he plays with him obviously. As far as Shukaku and Hinata are concerned, he wants Gaara to take her life because she is so pure and the fact that taking her life would drive Gaara back over that edge to murderous madness. Possible small foreshadowing? Maybe. Yes. No. You will have to see, but I hope that clears some confusion.