Copyright notice: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
The Healing Gardens
XXXXXX
This is not the end...it is the beginning.
You cannot falter now.
If you don't trust [this], trust nothing else.
Trust this, trust this, trust, Trust this, trust love.
"Evenstar" from LOTR
XXXXXX
She was floating, her dress kissing the buds of the blooming lilies. Her body felt light as she let her naked feet leave small prints in the crumbling earth beneath her. The rays of the sun kissed her pale face, her chin upturned to take in the full effect of the gentle heat. A smile formed on her pink lips, but nothing felt as heavenly as the caress of the flowers along her fingertips and palms. The blossoming chakra, earthly and simple, poured into her body and left traces inside her as she kept passing rows of lilies.
"Hinata…Hinata…"
A low tenor called to her, the whisper running along the hairs of her neck. Hands, the warmest to touch her flesh, slipped onto her neck and swept her hair to the side. Hinata tipped her head to the side and let her hands hold the long mane of hair away from her shoulder, exposing her fine neck to the warm hands.
"Hinata."
Hinata let her head swivel, her eyes low and heavy. The soft lavender met the sharp green eyes. Eyes familiar, but somehow not the ones she wanted to let herself be swallowed into.
"Gaara?"
She felt her side ache suddenly, the pains sharp and deep. Her hands automatically grabbed at the kimono she wore, the white now destroyed by the angry color of red. She lifted a trembling finger to her face, the stain of blood along the thin tip of her forefinger.
"What have you done?"
The face in front of her soon melted into one of pain and sadness before fading away into the melting scene of lilies, now stained by blood before she felt her world become nothing but black nothingness.
Entwined forever, you and I.
XXXXXX
"Hinata! Oh gods, you're awake."
Hinata's eyes fluttered open, her mouth opening to take in a shuddering breath. Her lips felt dry, her mouth and a throat completely dry. She let her weak eyes take in her bright surroundings, scrunching them and letting the tears drip like rain from the curved roof of her home. Her room or wherever she was now settled was certainly posh and extremely beautiful. The walls and ceiling were made of some of the finest paper, the creams etched with beautiful gold filigree. The walls were painted with fine scenes of gorgeous flora and fauna; the flowers cared for by expertly drawn women in white makeup and lush kimonos. The daimyo must be wealthy, that much was true with an extreme flair and joy for the arts.
Hinata wiggled her arms and tried to weakly push her body up with her abdomen muscles. Even though the muscles felt unused and asleep, they did as commanded before Temari caught her under one arm. Hinata connected worn eyes with Temari's stern ones before doing an examination of her own body. Thankfully, she was clothed in a white linen yukata and light purple obi, strangely. Underneath a sleeve she felt the restraining tightness of bandages along her bicep and even a patch on her thigh. These were useless now, if the team used the Hyuga ointment.
"I n-no longer need the patches."
Temari frowned in suspicion before gently peeling off the small patch along Hinata's cheek. The wound had completely healed, leaving Hinata's skin as fresh and unblemished as a child's.
"That Hyuga ointment is certainly a powerful herb mixture. Ko used the amount he carried and the amount he forgot you decided to wisely carry on yourself. It was clever of you and certainly needed, Hinata. Those wounds were terrible."
Hinata nodded slowly, dragging her hands along the patches and gently unwrapping them.
Temari crossed her arms.
"Hinata, I want to apologize to you."
Hinata paused. "Why, Temari-san?"
"I used to find you weak, incompetent and not worthy of being any level of ninja. I take those words back and I am not embarrassed to do so. What I caught of that ambush, I saw someone competent. You are a strong Hyuga. Its ironic really."
"Oh?"
"Yes, definitely. To look so innocent and child-like, newly blooming, but to have that determination, that demeanor of grace, and those lethal skills of a Hyuga. You really could easily throw off enemies, in any combat situation once you refine those skills."
"T-thank y-y-you-"
Temari huffed frustrated. "First thing to work on: trying to remove the stutter. It can show weakness…but that might actually work in your favor. Regardless, work on it around friends."
Hinata paused, dropping the patches beside her golden bed and twisting her body to face Temari. She let her legs curl around her body, her hands touching her chest. Emotions rolled through her heart and mind before she let them break like a dam.
"We are friends?"
Temari touched Hinata's shoulder firmly, her torso leaning forward.
"Yes, you are our friend. You are friend to the Sand Siblings and I am sure to Sunagakure if you can pull this wild scheme off. Personally, I like the odds against me. I like staying sharp mentally."
Hinata smiled and let an eyebrow rise up.
"I am sure Shikamaru would like that."
"Cheeky girl. Don't let the admission of us being friends think you can say…well…you know."
Temari pulled at a strand and fixed her own curled legs under her newly hemmed black kimono. Her mind shifted gears before letting her eyes hone in on the Hyuga before her.
"You called Gaara's name."
"I d-did?"
"Yes, not once but many times."
"I-I-I"
Hinata bit her lip, her eyes downcast.
"I am afraid I will fail tomorrow."
"You won't. You have gone so far…keep proving me wrong and him right.
Temari closed her eyes, calculating the right words to say and the consequences that might occur once said.
Ever since Konoha and Matsuri's kidnapping, events have occurred that Fate dealt her hand in. No matter how anyone may intervene, whether its others or myself, this is the beginning of events set in motion between this Hyuga and Sabaku no Gaara. This is a fine line…one that could tip to other side.
"Gaara has a…difficult past, one full of torment and pain. He fights distrust and the burden of Shukaku to become something better. What you are doing for him, for Suna, is something no one has done for him since Naruto. Well, not even Naruto can really surpass something like this.'
"Gaara sees you in this light…a light we all see but can't explain and if we can, we ignore. You are something strong to him, just know that Hinata. Let Hyuga eyes watch clearly the path you tread."
Silence.
Hinata paused, her eyes closed. Temari watched her fingers tapped and pick at each other before she ceased all movement to let her pale lids open. Her eyes held a soft light, a certain emotion Temari couldn't make out before but understood clearly.
A smile passed over Hinata's face, a very small one but still a rather slow caress of the lips.
"I understand. Temari, don't let Ko know but I-I would like to see t-t-the small garden. I believe there is one r-r-right by. I can smell the sunflowers and hear the water."
"Sure, sure. Meditate and relax."
Hinata slowly unfurled her body from the bed and wrapped a loose linen robe over her yukata. She took small steps towards the sliding paper door, ignored the wooden sandals, and slid the door open to escape into the night.
Temari stood to close the door but not before watching Hinata crouch down to smell the flowers near the wooden low arch of a bridge. The moonlight reflected along the surface of the clear water and the white of Hinata's robe and frail skin. Hinata's face glowed in simple joy before her eyes looked aglow at the crescent moon.
Temari had never in her life seen someone so happy to see the moon before until her keen eyesight picked up the grains of sand floating along the lazy 'breeze' next to Hinata's face before wrapping along her wrist. Hinata's face melted in sheer bliss and comfort, her eyes watering before turning her head to face the direction of the breeze.
Temari lifted her head to the side as well and saw the lone figure of Gaara standing along the curved roof of the daimyo's guest buildings. Though she couldn't make out his expression, she could always pick out those bright sea foam eyes. Eyes that were once stone cold, but now swirled with intensity and emotion.
Hinata, you are his light. You better shine tomorrow.
Author Note: I'm looking into finding some fan art for my image to display for this fan fiction. I have seen very beautiful pieces of these two but I don't know who made them...but anyway, you know some or want to create a piece let me know. Aside from that, short chapter but sweet. Share among other GaaraXHinata fans, groups on here or wherever else, and as always: please enjoy. XOXO