Copyright notice: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
The Wind Daimyo
XXXXXX
I'll keep you company
In one glorious harmony
Waltzing with destiny forever
XXXXXX
The servant's gold dusted hands moved silently through Hinata's polished hair, lifting hanks of hair with a fine comb this way and that into neat braids. Her almond eyes were focused; pulling the fine braids to sweep underneath and circle the large bun she had pulled Hinata's hair into atop her head. The servant's thoughts were simple: prepare the Hyuga heiress for her audience with the daimyo using Hyuga techniques and customary wear. The instructions were very specific and also detailed.
"Ayumi-san, you shall prepare Hinata-sama according to Hyuga customs. You will also be using dashes of customary formal wear of the Land of Fire. Do not forget that," the tall bodyguard of the Hyuga heiress had told her sternly.
"Of course, Hyuga-san."
The servant had been skeptical and a little underwhelmed when she was formally introduced to the sickly looking Hyuga heiress. The heiress whispered softly and simply pointed out her formal wear then the ornaments. The servant bowed low then asked the heiress to sit on the cushion so she could clean her tools to begin the long process of hair and light cosmetics. The heiress was specific on cosmetics, strangely. This struck the servant as being odd, considering every other official she worked on had demanded harsh and heavy cosmetics.
"Please, only light makeup. Thank you, Ayumi-san."
The servant spent hours on rolling the hair into three separate buns, with one large complex braid falling down the Hyuga's back like a waterfall interspersed with fragile strands of glass filaments, beads and grey ribbons. The servant was certainly pleased with her work and thankful for such healthy hair the Hyuga was blessed with. The ornaments were light and so fragile that the servant worried that they might crumble in her hands once she picked them up. She pinned the small pearl pins along the buns and the blown glass beads near the temples so the long streams dangled freely down the sides of the Hyuga's oval face.
Next she picked up the silver diadem with pearls and the other option of a bedding of pearls and soft lace. The servant had never in her life recalled seeing such intricate bedding with thick weaving. It looked like something a foreign bride would wear. Odd.
She turned to face the Hyuga, whose eyes were closed tightly.
"Hyuga-sama, do you wish to wear the diadem piece or the bedding? The diadem is simple and will cross your forehead whereas the bedding will cover much more. Your wish, Hyuga-sama?"
The Hyuga bit her lip then spoke. "The bedding, please."
"Of course, Hyuga-sama."
The servant's quick hands adjusted the bedding onto the Hyuga's forehead then fixed the glass beads and pearl combs. She made quick work of pulling the multi-layered kimono onto the girl, the different fabrics of silk and satin brushing along her exposed arms. These Hyuga really went the mile on their heiress. This kimono reminded her of the homongi style kimonos.
The servant pulled down the long under sleeves and worked quickly on the cosmetics. Her brushstrokes were light along the Hyuga's eyelids and lips. She added dashes of color and some enhancement along the waterlines of the Hyuga's eyes before clicking her tongue.
Done. At least this Hyuga was quiet and patient unlike that blonde kunoichi. What a hotheaded girl that one was, even if she came out quite the sultry beauty. This one though, she looks like an ethereal creature.
"You are done, Hyuga-sama. All that is required is your shoes that are by the sliding door. I will alert the guards that the daimyo's guests are ready."
The Hyuga opened her eyes and slowly swiveled her head, the glass beads shaking along her face. Her lips moved into a shy smile before she bowed her head lightly.
"Thank you, Ayumi-san. Please a-alert my bodyguard and companions I-I am ready."
The servant, Ayumi, bowed low, and slid open the door to leave.
Ayumi walked swiftly down the hall, into one of the larger side rooms the daimyo liked to call the Golden Room where the guests waited and bowed stiffly.
"Hyuga-sama is ready. I will alert the necessary officials the daimyo's guests are ready for his audience."
The redheaded one in the black yukata and robe barely glanced her way, his eyes boring holes past her into the hallway. The brunette had a lazy expression, showing impatience that matched the blonde kunoichi's. The other Hyuga took long steps down the hall past Ayumi to escort his heiress.
"Good, we will be there soon."
XXXXXX
Temari was a little irritated by the servant and struck mesmerized by the exotic coloring and dress. This servant was, like some of the rare females seen lingering around, bronzed and dusted with gold along the hands and face. These servants wore silk robes with bizarre patterns and silk cloth wrapped around their bodies with one arm exposed to reveal gold bands of jewelry around their arms.
"For an allegedly religious man, this daimyo really likes his exotic women and home. I've never seen such work. This pisses me off. He can cut off funds to Suna but use all these expenses on this. What a selfish asshole."
"Temari, its not wise to demean the guy we are trying to persuade to make Gaara Kage of our village. Maybe Hinata can work her magic and strike a treaty with him. Eh?"
The awkward silence that followed was cut darkly and quickly by Gaara's sharp voice. His eyes were sharp blades upon his siblings.
"Hinata-san is doing a great favor for Suna as is. Do not demand more. Her life was almost lost in the process."
On the last sentence, Gaara's voice nearly cracked before he righted himself.
"Gaara, we wouldn't demand anything of Hinata that would make her uncomfortable. Believe me, brother. You know that right?"Kankuro softly responded in disbelief.
Temari felt her small fan, new and much more deadly, under hear kimono's obi. It was always comforting to her, especially under duress. Right now was a good time. They were all meeting the daimyo and after last night's chat with Hinata, Temari was deeply aware of the massive stress riding on Hinata's small shoulders.
A soft ringing voice broke the awkward silence in the room.
"I am ready."
Gaara's body became taut, his eyes riveted and once again boring holes, this time into Hinata.
Temari placed a hand on her colored face before grinning at Hinata.
"You look simply..."
"Heavenly. No geisha today, Hinata."
Temari gave a slight scowl at Kankuro then glanced at Gaara who seemed to block out the world. Nothing could possibly break his concentration on Hinata.
"Those colors are really complimentary. Lavenders, greys and dark greys. Wow. Whoever made this put some heart into the making of this. The daimyo's ego will be stroked for sure…the bastard."
Kankuro frowned at Temari.
"I-I understand your dislike for the daimyo. I-I learned more about your reasons. I-I-I will try my hardest."
"Right. Lets head out and meet the daimyo. I expect some of his advisors and even nobles to be there. Be prepared for them. Think of this as a mission."
Temari and Kankuro lead the way, pushing open another sliding door with painted birds on swirling branches. Ko followed hesitantly, letting Hinata and Gaara follow at the back.
XXXXXX
Hinata fidgeted with the sleeves of her kimono, not wanting to tear the satin but not able to stop. She was still a little weak from battle and recovering. Her face was pale, that much she knew from the light dizziness overcoming her. This was a good reason why she demanded the thick kimono layers and bedding that the servant who worked on her found bizarre. Sweat beaded along her hairline and neck.
Do not faint!
Hinata felt a warm breath along her neck, the heat creating a stirring in her stomach.
"Was it wise to wear so many layers?"
Hinata did not know what to answer with, especially when she felt Gaara move to walk alongside her. His arms were crossed tightly, his generous lips tight and his eyes forward. It was then that he breathed out and uncrossed his arms, his body trembling before righting itself. He lowered his head slowly but not by much. His breathing was like fire along her skin, his eyes connecting with hers.
"You are afraid. I think…I understand that. Do not be. We are all in this together."
She felt his arm nearly brush her sleeve, the black contrasting with her grey sleeves. She glanced at the slight movement before gazing into his eyes, past the swinging filaments.
"Gaara-san…"
She lowered her eyes until she felt the small grains of sand send a gentle whisper along her hands.
"Hinata, do not pick at your hands."
"Y-yes, Gaara-san."
XXXXXX
"Hinata, do not pick at your hands." Gaara rumbled out quietly.
"Y-yes, Gaara-san."
Gaara took a small whiff of the lavender splashed on Hinata's skin and looked at the small light reflected off the glass along her hair.
I think I'm beginning to understand…emotions more.
I think I am understanding you more.
But now…I feel I want you to understand me much more.
Gaara felt his sleeve brush along Hinata's extravagantly crafted braid, the strands touching his hand.
Hinata, do not pick at your hands.
One day I wish to touch them.
I want you to be the first to ever touch me without threat of death.