Temari scowled as Shikamaru helped Kankuro to one of their guestrooms that he was using during his stay in Konoha. She hated that he still hadn't grown out of his party habits and he likely burdened their younger brother with his antics. Temari had heard rumors of Kankuro trying to sway business partners using less than respectable methods such as hiring hookers. She hoped that Gaara would have curtailed his immature behavior after she moved away but it seemed like not even the most serious and intimidating man could clean up Kankuro's act. She was thankful that he hadn't embroiled their company, Shukaku, in any scandal and his public image was still intact.
Temari couldn't handle dealing with a media circus especially in her condition. A small smile formed on her face as she rubbed her stomach. It wasn't noticeable yet but the feeling was still incredible. She had hoped to announce the news to both of her brothers over dinner. They weren't the closest of siblings growing up but they had managed to come together after their father's death but Gaara was another no show and Kankuro was a drunken mess.
"Ugh, we're going to need to clean the sheets again," Shikamaru groaned as he walked back to their bedroom. Temari sighed but giggled when he wrapped his arms around her. "You have such a troublesome family."
"Unfortunately for you, it's going to keep growing," she smirked.
"Lucky me," Shikamaru replied in a humorous tone. He suddenly looked apprehensive. "Naruto sends his congratulations."
Temari hummed nonchalantly.
"He wants to throw us a celebration and I said we'd think about it-"
"No thanks," she briskly replied.
Shikamaru exhaled deeply. "C'mon, Tem. Naruto's one of my closest friends and I doubt he'd invite his ex-fiancée to a party in your honor." She looked impassive. "I thought it'd be nice to be able to get together."
"Then he can throw you a party. I don't preventing you from seeing him but just don't drag me along."
He nuzzled her neck. "But he wants to see you too. I was there when all that shit went down with her. I was there for him when he was all alone and when he broke thing off with Shion. I was there for him and he wants to be there for us. C'mon, it'd be nice to see my goddaughter every now and then."
Temari hated that he brought up Himawari. She adored the toddler but she couldn't seem to get along with her parents. Shion was rude and insulted her many times. Naruto was another issue; he didn't personally offend her but she just didn't like him. It was a gradual decline of respect since she found out that he cheated on his wife who seemed so timid yet kind. Then she heard from Karui and Choji about how physical he became towards Hinata at the resort. It disgusted her to imagine the bruising on her arm. She had been stunned to find out from Shikamaru that Hinata cheated on Naruto with his best friend, Sasuke Uchiha but deep down couldn't blame her for twisting the knife. By the time he went missing on Ino and Sai's wedding, she had decided to stop socializing with Naruto Uzumaki.
"Himawari is always welcomed here so don't try to make me look like a bitch," she said harshly. Shikamaru was taken back by her tone. "You can see Naruto all you want but don't force me to tolerate his presence. He's your friend, not mine."
She walked away in a huff.
Shikamaru frowned. He had hoped that whatever bad feelings she had against Naruto would disappear after he ended his engagement to Shion. Now that he was becoming a father too, it would've been nice to bring together all the people he cared about.
'They had initially gotten along. Back when Naruto was with…' He curled his lip in disgust.
He hated what Hinata had done; she nearly destroyed Naruto and was happy that at least he didn't have to worry about her anymore.
x-x
Hinata wiggled her hips as she straddled Gaara's face. One of his hands gripped her ass, squeezing it. The other was busy fingering her, adding to the sensations of his tongue caused with every lick, focusing on her clit.
In a lustful haze she stared at his cock in her hand and placed kisses over it. It still had a lingering taste of their combined fluids which she licked and sucked into her mouth. Hinata hummed and stroked his cock, keeping a steady rhythm which was hard to do as a second finger darted into her.
Since she was going to meet with Anko later for drinks, she had taken a quick shower in his bathroom to save time. But when she took off her towel to get dressed, he pounced. Gaara was insatiable and she hoped that Anko wouldn't question whatever excuse she'd come up with.
The thrill and pleasure that came after being with Gaara had not dwindled the more they met for sexual encounters. This arrangement was different than the others she had been in. For one, she and Gaara didn't speak about anything personal; they didn't talk about their family or friends. She didn't know anything about him aside from what she put together during their business encounters. He was a very private man and she respected that; she didn't need any information on him.
Keeping things private was something she agreed with. She didn't feel the need to open up to him about her toxic marriage, her father's stifling questions about her career and love life, or her own doubts about her future. All of it was enough to keep her up at night and she wanted an escape.
And Gaara provided that in droves. They didn't seek each other's company out of a professional setting unless it was for sex. Feelings and emotions were not part of this equation. It seemed to work; they got out their frustrations, finding sexual release with each other and at work they managed to remain cordial. He didn't show her any preference or distain and she remained polite with him, especially since he had kept his teasing in the privacy of his bedroom.
At times she was the one to instigate their meetings. Today Hinata felt playful, dipping a carrot stick from the vegetable platter into ranch dressing and subtly teasing him as she licked it before she bit into it. With a quick glance, she saw his eyes darken and within fifteen minutes had gotten a text to see him after work.
Gaara had been frustrated with her blouse and she had to push him away to make sure he didn't rip the delicate fabric. He had growled and grunted like a beast, but she loved when he had no choice but to comply with her rhythm and her pace. It was a constant power struggle, but in the end neither of them really lost. Both ended up with a sense of bliss and satisfaction, which was doubled today.
Hinata took him in her mouth and sucked, sliding lips and tongue along his cock. She was bent on driving him mad.
"Fuck, your pussy is just..." He grunted as she swirled her tongue around the head of his cock. "...as demanding as you are."
"Says the man who still owes me a shirt from the last time and needed a second go around today." She giggled as she stroked his cock, cum spurting out.
Her tongue stuck out to catch some of it, teasing the sit with the tip of her tongue. His mouth slightly gaped with euphoria, preventing him from retorting with any smart ass response. Hinata enjoyed bringing her partners to climax orally because it gave her feelings of pure raw feminine sexuality and power. The look in their eyes afterwards always caused her pussy to tingle.
"Besides, you love my pussy," Hinata murmured as she started to ride his face. "Ah...mmm, that feels good," she added.
Licking and sucking at her wetness, Gaara replied with a grunt. He found that eating Hinata out was a treat, every part of her felt wonderful to his tongue and lips. Her body was soft and smooth all over, but when her pale skin flushed that alluring pink it made his blood pump faster. Whenever she writhed under or above him, it made the whole experience heavenly. Hinata looked innocent but when she started moving erotically, the need to ravish her increased exponentially.
Evidence of her lewdness blossomed through. As her fragrance filled his nostrils, he smirked; Hinata was highly aroused, and her pussy was swollen with her lust. After a while he repositioned them so she was lying on her back. He wanted to get a better view of her reactions to everything he did.
Hinata looked up with a lustful gaze, making him wish she would cancel her plans like he did to spend more time with her. Instantly he frowned at the odd thought and moved downward to resume his actions.
Her head rolled from side to side on the pillow, with her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open in a smile of bliss. Seeing this caused him to slightly grin and he returned his gaze to her pussy, devouring the nectar. No matter how much she had teased him or how hard his cock was, Gaara always took his time when he orally pleasured her. He would lick, suck and caress using tongue, lips, and fingers. He wouldn't admit to Hinata that he found her aroma particularly delectable, almost intoxicating.
His tongue moved slowly, reveling in the exquisiteness. Her sexy body writhed under his face and started to involuntarily buck up against his mouth. Hinata's clit was swollen and he could have taken it into his mouth, bringing her to orgasm, but he wanted her beg before she reached the apex of her sexual frenzy.
Gaara started to finger her, adding a second finger when she started to softly swear. Palm faced up, he curled his fingers. Her movements became wilder as Gaara flicked his tongue against her clit. Hinata was as aroused as she would get, and it was time to take her clit into his mouth and suck until she climaxed.
"Yes! Yes!" Hinata cried out; his tongue felt amazing.
Her thighs clamped around Gaara's head and she grabbed two handfuls of his hair, as if to keep him from leaving. If he left her unsatisfied she might go insane. Her back arched, and all her muscles clenched, thrusting her pussy against his face for a final time, crying ecstatically as she climaxed.
After such a jarring orgasm, Hinata felt completely relaxed. Her head lolled to the side and her legs released their grip but remained draped over Gaara's shoulders. Aside from moving slightly backwards, he kept his face buried in her crotch, licking her clean.
In addition to the ambrosia that her wet center was producing, Gaara enjoyed hearing Hinata's soft cries of joy and feeling her body tense when he brought her to climax. He felt the urge to fuck her again but if he did, she might as well stay overnight and that was against the rules they initially laid out.
"I guess you really enjoyed it, Bunny," Gaara said boastfully.
"Yes," Hinata replied on an exhale. She was too tired to be coy with him today, it seemed to fuel his sexual desires and she really needed to hightail it to meet Anko.
He left to take his own shower, returning to an empty bedroom. Gaara grabbed his laptop to work on a few things, trying to keep his gaze from trailing over to the messy bed. He closed his eyes and sighed with content. He hoped her scent lingered in his sheets a while longer this time.
x-x
Hinata found it easier to visit her father or Neji now that she wasn't actively avoiding Gaara. She neither anticipated nor dreaded crossing paths with him here. However as she walked down the hallway to her father's office, she saw him exit with an enraged face.
There were still uncharted waters that she wasn't sure how to navigate when it came to Gaara and his moods. She could soothe him at times but other times she picked up on when he was too angry to deal with anyone.
Hinata turned around but unfortunately her father's secretary recognized her and called out to her. She cringed and slowly turned around. Forcing a smile she tried to hurry past Gaara without interacting with him but he grabbed her waist and leaned in. "Tonight."
She quickly looked at her father's faithful secretary who had her back turned as she answered a call. Quickly nodding in agreement, she was happy that he released his hold on her and briskly walked to the elevator.
Dreading dealing with her father's anger, she slowly peeked in. Glancing up, Hiashi cocked an eyebrow. "Why are you nervous? Did you do something?"
Taken back by his lack of anger or irritation, Hinata was amazed that her father could still remain so cool and composed when dealing with people like Gaara. She smiled and shook her head, and waited for him to finish up sending an email before they went out for lunch.
That night Hinata could barely catch her breath before Gaara was kissing her and groping her. "Gaara…"
"Shhh."
"Gaara…!"
He silenced her with a rough kiss and pushed her onto his bed. He pulled his shirt off and pressed his body against hers. His roughness and refusal to listen to her was alarming and she pushed him back.
He growled with displeasure.
'Is he taking his anger at my father out on me?' Hinata sat up and felt uncomfortable for the first time in his presence since their arrangement.
Gaara looked frustrated but remained quiet as he waited for her to speak.
"What did my father do to upset you?" She quietly asked. "I mean, are you being this rough with me as some sort of twisted idea of revenge?"
He was taken back by her questioning. "What?! No. Your father didn't upset me."
Hinata looked unconvinced and he sat next to her, trying not to react when she inched away from him. He sighed, "I just wasn't pleased with what one of his acquaintances said about my company. Apparently she voiced her concerns to your father about our reputation and he asked me about them. Hiashi wasn't rude or canceled our deal, he was just curious."
"So you're not mad at him?"
"He's competent so he doesn't annoy me." He chuckled. "His associate on the other hand, well she's just an old vengeful bitch who was bitter that my father ran her husband out of Suna."
She looked at him, trying to find any dishonesty.
He looked back at her. "I'm sorry. I've been very frustrated but if you want me to be gentler-"
"I don't want you to be overly gentle," Hinata blushed. "I mean, I know this is just about releasing tension. As long as there's nothing personal about it, I'm okay with it. I don't mind being rough sometimes but you have to listen to me too. Or else we can't do this together anymore."
"Okay." He cupped her face and slowly leaned in.
Hinata felt better and let out a sigh of contentment when his lips traveled to her neck. He was gentler than before until Hinata showed him the roughness she was comfortable with. She had her own frustrations to get rid of after all.
Picking up on her signal, Gaara deepened their kiss. Anger and arousal battled within both of them. It took some effort for her to push him away, gasping for some much needed air. But the intensity he provided was very much welcomed; Hinata felt the throbbing, aching need between her legs.
She started to grind against him and whined, making him groan with need. Gaara kissed her hard again, and she nipped his lower lip with her teeth. Hinata heard the clatter of buttons as he exposed her to him. She was about to mention that he owed her another shirt when his mouth was suddenly on her, sucking and biting her soft skin, marking it.
Hinata scratched his back through his shirt and he hissed. But he liked every sensation she stimulated from him. He ripped his own shirt off and there was a mad dash from both of them to get completely naked. Hinata arched her back as Gaara started to rub her pussy, his fingers slowly caressing at her eager clit.
Hinata saw the glint behind his eyes, his jaw set with determination. She chuckled and sighed.
"What?" He asked gruffly.
"It's just… ah...mmm, they said the devil would be attractive," she said. She squeezed her eyes and gasped as he increased his fingering. "Yes… Yes! Yes!"
Gaara smirked. He had been called a demon in the past but this was the only time it amused him. He could be the Demon to his precious Bunny. Pulling his fingers away after she came down from her high, he sucked them clean. Unable to bear it any longer, he spread her legs and entered her in one fast thrust. Hinata cried out with bliss.
He looked at her straight in the eye as he pistoned in and out of her; hard and fast. In between thrusts, he gasped out, "Do you like this...? Ngh, shit you're so tight... Being fucked by a demon?"
Her reply was a desperate "Yes!"
She repeated it over and over, causing him to increase his tempo. Gaara lowered his head to her swaying breasts, and start to suck on a nipple. She arched up to meet him, her fingers scratching at his shoulder blades much to his pleasure. Each thrust caused her breasts shudder and jiggle, and their frenzied bodies rocked the bed frame.
"I love how you cling to my cock, Bunny," he growled out.
'My Bunny… My Hinata!'
Hinata sensed his urgency and braced against the onslaught. She wrapped her legs around him, securing him in place. They were reaching their peak together and he panted against her breasts as she gasped. Gaara snaked an arm around her waist, trying to get as deep as possible.
"Hinata!"
"Oh, Gaara!"
Hinata bucked against him, her body completely out of control as pleasure overtook her. She could feel him throbbing inside her as he came in quick spurts. Hinata rolled her hips, her walls milking him dry. Sheer pleasure coursed through them and she was vaguely aware of his moans as he emptied his balls.
Comfortable with his weight on top of her, Hinata absentmindedly grazed the back of his neck with her fingertips. She felt the hotness of his skin, beaded with sweat. Her hands lowered to his shoulders and back, feeling the deep half-moons she left in the wake of her ecstasy. Slightly frowning, she tried to gently soothe the stinging.
"Sorry," she said softly. Her throat felt sore with the cries and shouts that erupted from her.
He shifted his weight on his elbows, remaining on top of her. Gaara moved the hair from her face, a rare look of tenderness on his face. "I can handle the pain. But did I hurt you? Was I too rough?"
She shook her head sleepily. Hinata felt the bed shift and let out a light gasp when he pulled out of her. She envied his energy as he moved around the room and felt an urgency to take her leave. But her body simply wasn't responding and her eyes felt heavy, despite her attempts to get off his bed.
"Take your time," Gaara told her with a wolfish grin. "You don't have to rush out so quickly all the time or else you might hurt my feelings, Bunny."
Hinata chuckled breathlessly. "Just let me get some strength back. I just need five minutes."
Gaara walked out to answer a sudden phone call. When he put the phone down, he was surprised to see her still in bed. Frowning, he got closer and realized that she was asleep.
'She looks so…'
He stopped himself from shaking her awake and carefully pulled the covers to keep her warm. Gaara's hand lingered close to her face, gently caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. She let out a soft sound and he quickly retracted his arm to his side. Quietly walking out, he slowly closed the door.
If he had a normal sleeping pattern, Gaara might've been annoyed at being put out however he had a guest room that he could use when he decided to catch a few hours of sleep. He grabbed a cup of coffee and focused his attention on the dozen of emails that demanded his attention. Two hours later he heard a commotion in his room and quickly headed towards the ruckus.
He saw Hinata frantically trying to find her clothes. "What was that noise? Did you break something?"
Her head snapped towards him and he never saw her so nervous and disoriented. "Why didn't you wake me up?!"
He leaned against the doorway. He stifled a laugh when she nearly fell forward in her hurry to put her pants on. "What time is it anyways?" Hinata tried to conceal a yawn.
"Late enough that it won't be safe for you to drive home, especially if you're like this," he responded monotonously.
"It's fine."
"No, it's not. Look, just sleep here for the night. I'm not going to eat you," he scoffed.
Hinata shifted uncomfortably. "I can't."
"Why?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.
"It's your bed," she pointed out. Gaara looked confused. "I mean… where would you sleep?"
"I have a guest room," he replied.
She bit her lower lip and seemed to ponder. "...Okay." He started to walk out but she followed him out. "Where is it?"
"I meant that you could sleep in my bed and if I need sleep, then I'll just use the guest room," he deadpanned.
Hinata shook her head vehemently. "No, it's my fault and I feel guilty enough. I didn't mean to fall sleep, I swear! I closed my eyes for a second and the next thing I knew-"
"Just stop making it a bigger deal than it is." He pointed to a nearby door.
Hinata opened the door but lingered for a few seconds before turning back to him. "Thank you, Gaara. And you should try to get some rest, too."
He fought the urge to smile back at her, making his way to the dining table. Despite the tasks he had planned to work on, he closed everything. Gaara entered his bedroom and laid down on the bed. Her warmth lingered and he pulled the pillow that she rested her head on closer to him, inhaling deeply. Soon after, he slipped into a deep sleep.
But his guest was having a harder time. Hinata shifted around, trying to get comfortable but it felt impossible to go to sleep.
'This is so embarrassing!' She groaned into a pillow.
While trying to count sheep, she mused that Gaara must never use this room since it didn't have his scent. It was simple like his bedroom but felt even more impersonal.
Despite only getting a few hours of sleep, she got up earlier than usual. She was just grateful that it was a Friday and work would be less hectic. After making the bed, Hinata tiptoed out of the room and saw his bedroom door closed. Letting out a sigh of relief she tried to make her way to the front door.
"I didn't take you for an early riser."
Hinata jumped and clutched her chest in fright. She avoided his gaze and looked to the side. "I just need to get ready for work."
Gaara sipped on his coffee and nodded towards an extra mug. "It might help to get some caffeine in you. You still look half awake."
She gratefully took the hot drink, adding a bit more sugar. Her eyes closed with delight as she sipped.
"You should take the day off," Gaara said, breaking through her peaceful moment. "Maybe we can squeeze in another round."
Hinata put the mug down and shook her head. "I can't. I should go. Thank you for your hospitality. It won't happen again."
She was out the door before he could blink.
x-x
Ino raised an eyebrow as she scrutinized Hinata. The pale eyed woman kept fidgeting and her smirk deepened. "Okay, spill. Who's the guy?"
As expected she started to sputter and slightly spilled her drink. "I don't know what you mean," she replied. But Hinata's ears started to redden and she hated that she was easy to read.
The blonde swirled her straw. "C'mon! I know you're hiding something. Is he like the others...?" Her eyes lit up excitedly. "Oh my god...Is it serious?!"
"Shhh!" Hinata looked around. She tried to look intimidating but Ino was too giddy. "There's no one...that's serious."
Ino slumped in her seat with disappointment. "Well that sucks." Inojin started to coo as he played with his toy and she smiled at her son.
'You're telling me,' Hinata thought but shrugged. "Sorry to disappoint you but I don't have any juicy gossip. Maybe next time."
"You better tell me first if something exciting happens!" Ino sternly told her friend. "I love spending time with Inojin but while I'm still on maternity leave I can't really go out much. It's sort of uneventful and tiring. I need something to keep me sane."
Hinata laughed, "You might have to wait longer. I don't see anything exciting happening soon."
She played with Inojin who started to babble excitedly and thought of Gaara but shook that idea out of her head. They were simply fuck buddies minus the friendship.
"Don't say that. It'll happen for you and when you meet him, it'll be worth it. You deserve it," Ino said comfortingly. She saw how Hinata was quickly looking uneasy with the topic and decided to drop it. "So I have some pretty exciting news."
"You're pregnant." Hinata joked. Ino stared back. "Wait, are you pregnant again?!"
She started to laugh uncontrollably. "Are you crazy? No!"
Hinata waited expectantly.
"But someone is," Ino sang. She clapped her hands together as she broke the news to her. "Temari is!"
Hinata slowly smiled; she knew that Ino was extremely close to Shikamaru and therefore great friends with his wife. She really got along with Temari but couldn't pursue a solid friendship due to Shikamaru's disdain for her. "That's amazing! I'm really happy for them."
"It's pretty cool that all our kids will be close in age and grow up together like we did," Ino said happily. Hinata had heard from her that Choji and his wife also welcomed a baby girl a few months before she did.
It was sweet to see such a strong bond but Hinata felt slightly envious. She could've been in their position. She remembered all the times she and Naruto would talk about the family they wanted to create. It wasn't that she regretted her divorce but she also willingly gave up everything she had dreamed of being and creating when she walked away from him.
Hinata still wanted to fall in love, be a mother, and have a family but she wouldn't want those things at the cost of being with another man who was abusive, manipulative and terrifying. It would be a worse fate than to be single the rest of her life.
Ino saw the look on her face and reached over to grab her hand. "You know, I think it'd be nice to catch up with everyone. Temari really liked you and maybe-"
"Oh no, I can't. Shikamaru is Naruto's close friend and was pretty aggressive during the divorce proceedings. I think he'd only be happy to see me again if it was in court or at my death bed."
Her companion laughed and shook her head. "He's not that bad. But I won't pressure you."
Hinata smiled gratefully and gladly accepted Ino's offer to hold her son. Looking down at Inojin and making him giggle lifted her spirits.
That same night Temari and Shikamaru announced her pregnancy to her brothers who were initially stunned.
"Congrats!" Kankuro suddenly shouted. "This calls for better wine!"
Temari playfully rolled her eyes as he jumped from his seat to head to their kitchen. Gaara looked over to Shikamaru who looked nervous. "You better be ready."
His dark eyes widened and he exhaled deeply. "I have to be."
His wife grinned cheekily at him.
"Yes, you do because you'll answer to me if you fail to be a man," Gaara added. He turned to his sister. "Congratulations, Temari. I know you'll be a wonderful mother, you already had practice with us."
"Yeah and we turned out fantastic," Kankuro piped up as he returned with one of Shikamaru's favorite wines.
Shikamaru grunted but wrapped his arm around his wife who leaned into him. Temari beamed at how well they were taking the new information. "I hope you guys will be around when I give birth."
Kankuro finished gulping his drink and wiped his mouth. "Well one of us has to stay to oversee everything so I'll definitely be around since we know that a certain insomniac can't be away from Shukaku for so long. He'd die."
Everyone chuckled but Gaara narrowed his eyes. While it was true that he preferred working at the main site of their company, he hadn't been as keen to leave Konoha as before. Shukaku still caused him many sleepless nights but he was finding Konoha to be not as horrible as he remembered it when he came for Temari's wedding.
"Actually," he started. "Maybe I should stay here to make sure everything's running smoothly and impossible to mess up before I leave everything to you. You can go back to Suna and I'll call you back when I feel confident enough to hand over the reins."
It was said in such a stoic manner that no one questioned his decision and chalked it up to him not having confidence in Kankuro's abilities, nothing really out of the ordinary.
Despite his aloofness during the rest of the dinner, Temari paid close attention to how pleased Gaara looked. During his latest stay in Konoha, she saw him smile more and look less worn-down. It made her happy and she wondered what brought upon these changes.
x-x
Hinata found it incredibly awkward to be around Gaara after staying the night so she made sure the next time they met it was on an early Saturday afternoon. That way she'd be out before it even got dark.
As she walked towards his door she saw a delivery man next to a large box already there.
"Hi?"
"Hello Miss. Is this your residence?" He asked her.
Hinata shook her head and knocked on the door. Gaara opened it but frowned when he saw the delivery man. "Can I help you?"
"Just delivering what you ordered."
Gaara snatched the clipboard and shook his head. "I asked for it to be delivered at a different address."
While they went back and forth with the delivery man finally stepping away to call someone, Hinata cocked her head and read the description. Her face paled and with wide eyes, she looked at an annoyed Gaara.
"A crib? You're not married are you?!"
The delivery man looked in their direction.
"You don't have to be married to have a child," Gaara deadpanned.
"...So you're having a child... with someone. Oh my god, you're in a relationship." Hinata had a look of disgust and the delivery man slowly grabbed the box and hauled it away, leaving what he presumed to be a very complicated situation.
"You're a fucking creep!" Hinata turned on her heel. "Don't talk to me again!"
"Hey!" Gaara shouted. Hinata shook at the fury behind his voice. "I don't have to explain anything about my fucking personal life but let me dismiss this crazy thought you have about me. I told you I'm single, I'm not going to be a father but I did order a crib for someone special."
"Who?" She asked curiously.
Suddenly he felt like she was prying too much and he frowned. "That's none of your damn business. All that matters is that we're single and screw around."
Hinata thinned her lips. It was the truth but it made her feel odd.
He crossed his arms. "So are we going to do this or not?"
She clutched her purse; the desire for any sort of intimacy was gone. "I don't think so."
Gaara narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
Neither moved. Finally Hinata slowly started to walk away. Suddenly Gaara was close behind. She stopped despite her nerves. "What?"
He dragged his hands down his face and looked conflicted. Sensing her impatience, he cleared his throat. "I'm not with anyone. And not that it's any of your business but my sister is pregnant," he said in a gruff tone.
"Oh." She smiled at him. "Congratulations. How along is she?"
Gaara felt less tense seeing her happy again but he didn't like disclosing anything personal especially to her. He had made a decision long ago to be a certain way and trust only a few people. Hinata was making him act impulsively and it was unsettling.
He curled his lip. "Are you that relieved that you're not the other woman?" He mocked. "Bunny, have you been in that position before?"
Hinata tensed and her smile fell from her face. "The opposite actually," she whispered.
Gaara's eyes widened and she noticed her slip- up. Hinata turned away, her hair blocking her face from his view. "I s-s-should go. I forgot I have somewhere to be."
This time he let her leave without any resistance and she was thankful for that. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest and she looked at her shaking hands. Clutching them together, she felt disappointed in herself. While she had made strides since closing that painful chapter in her life, there were moments where she still felt the sting of his betrayal as if it was still fresh.
Gaara walked back to his condo and rolled his shoulders a few times before he sighed. He didn't like that Hinata was able to make him say and do things that were unusual for him. But something about her drew him in, like a doomed sailor to a siren.
But the moment he felt like he would start talking about his family, he knew he needed to close himself off again. He turned cold and guarded, making an offbeat joke which seemed to hit close to home for her. The distressed look on her face was something he'd never seen and while he relished in her reactions to everything he said or did, this one left him feeling awful.
x-x
Gaara had tried to refrain from staring at Hinata for too long when she entered the building. He felt slightly tenser. Usually he was able to focus, even with her so near and feeling horny as hell. But then again, they were usually on good terms. Now he was staring at the clock, cutting down on any small talk and getting straight to the point. He wasn't a fan of flattery or polite bullshit but he was even more impatient.
One thing was clear, he needed to get out of the building quickly or fix the problem. His decision was made when the person on his mind laughed along with the others after one of his employees cracked a joke as they finished their meeting. Her laugh caused his lips to slightly curve upward.
He wanted to have the ability to make her laugh and smile. Gaara could make her knees weak and skin flush but he found out that he liked provoking all kinds of positive reactions from Hinata. But he wasn't exactly known for his humor and felt unsure of what to even say. He'd just make a fool out of himself and likely fire the next person that pissed him off.
"Well, I suppose that'll be all for today. See you gentlemen next week," Kakashi announced.
Hinata walked behind Kakashi and Gaara quickly sent a text to her. He ushered everyone out of his office and waited an agonizingly five minutes before he heard light tapping on his door. Gaara nearly jumped to his feet and hurriedly opened the door.
"Come in," he breathed.
Hinata briskly walked in. She had driven her own car to the meeting so she didn't have to come up with an excuse in case Kakashi questioned her staying behind. "Yes?"
He didn't like how guarded she seemed. She had avoided Gaara at all costs, even sending his phone calls to voicemail.
Gaara had a look of determination. "Look, normally I'd be fine with this cat and mouse game but I thought we moved past that. I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have erupted like that."
Still not looking at him directly, she shrugged. "No, I get it. I was prying into your personal life and-"
"Just let me apologize," he said harshly. Softening his tone he added a, "Please."
"Ok, I accept your apology."
He relaxed his shoulders and placed her purse on his desk, swiftly moving to capture her lips but she put her hand up to prevent it. "Gaara, I respect your privacy but if I find out you've been with someone this whole time… That you're a cheating asshole, I'll make you regret it. I won't let you use me that way."
Her fiery words took him back. He would never do that to another person, especially after being in that situation. Pieces of the mystery that surrounded Hinata started to piece together; it was obvious to him that she also experienced a similar plight. It both comforted and upset him; they were more similar than they'd admit and he didn't like knowing that someone had caused her pain.
"I swear."
She looked at him, trying to read his face. Hinata finally relaxed, feeling better than she had for a few days.
Gaara, now feeling accepted, pulled her close. He had been close to ripping his hair off during the entire meeting, wanting nothing more than to feel her.
"It's a dangerous thing... your presence. You have no idea what you do to me," he told her, sliding his mouth next to her ear. He tried to control his emotions and growled. "But you still get on my damn nerves with the persona you show others. Like you're some wide- eyed girl… so eager to please and get acknowledgement from them. Tell me, did you really find his joke that hilarious?"
Hinata gripped his red hair and narrowed her eyes. "And you? What's the phony side of Gaara Sabaku? The cold, rude and cut throat businessman who just can't show anyone that he's human just like the rest of us?"
"I'm sure my anatomy has put to rest any questions that I'm a robot," he cockily replied. "And you also have something that keeps me close. Something that's so sweet and insatiable." His hands squeezed her ass. "Bunny, tell me how you love how my cock pounds into you."
She gave him a dismissive look as she released him from her grip, then turned and started to walk towards the desk to pick up her purse.
In a blink of an eye, she was pinned against the front of it. The edge dug into the front of her hips, and Gaara's larger body was pressed against her ass. His hands gripped hers, pinning them against the wood counter, and shock rolled through her.
"We don't have time for this," she hissed. "What if someone walks in?!"
"Shh," he said. His lips pressed a kiss against her shoulder. The tenderness he was fighting against was peculiar to him as well but he didn't let it show. "Everyone who values their employment knows not to come in unannounced."
She looked unconvinced and he sighed. "The door's locked, too. But the thought of being caught is slightly thrilling, isn't it?"
Hinata fought the urge to smile and Gaara smirked at her but it wasn't his usual mocking one. It was playful and she blushed. "We can't," she said regretfully.
Gaara still placed kisses on her neck but slowly moved away. He was fine with her decision and truthfully he was just grateful they were back on better terms. The rest of his day went smoothly and his employees thought they caught him smiling at one point.
x-x
Turned to face him, Hinata sat on her knees as she listened to Gaara. They had a more comfortable relationship after Gaara apologized and were spending more time together. Recently they were finding themselves talking more and more about small things, but always ended their encounters with sex.
Tonight, she sensed stress coming off him in waves and instinctively asked him what was troubling him. Instead of closing himself off, Gaara slouched down on his couch and started talking.
"Sometimes I just want to take a few days to not think about anything," he admitted.
"Why don't you? I mean you're the boss and even if you weren't, I doubt anyone would tell you no. You're kind of scary," she said teasingly.
He laughed half- heartedly. "I do get everything I want, don't I?" Gaara twirled a finger around a loose lock of hair that had fallen from her bun.
She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Just take a vacation. Even my father takes a sabbatical every once a while to recharge. It'll be good for you."
Gaara shook his head. "Your father has people like Neji around. If I leave, I doubt Shukaku will still be there when I return. I can't trust anyone with it and despite my father forcing it on me, it's now my responsibility."
Hinata slightly frowned, she knew all about struggles with stubborn fathers. She had told him already about her father insisting she come to work for him and the many suitors he had lined up. Gaara didn't seem as taken with Hiashi after that. "You need to let go sometimes. What about Kankuro?"
He gave her a look. "Have you met my brother? That time when we first met, yeah that was his idea. He's not the person I'd trust with a dog. I can't even let him to oversee our main site without being with Baki at all times. Trusting him to make sure our transition here works out is simply asking for too much."
She looked frustrated with him; he was running himself ragged and she was worried. "Gaara, would it be that bad to trust someone to take care of things even for a short time?"
That question had a multitude of meanings to him and he froze. Before Hinata could say anything else, he stood up from the couch and walked to refill his glass. "Gaara?"
"I leaned early not to trust many people." He took a large gulp of whisky. "I learned my lesson."
Gaara closely analyzed the woman that looked troubled by his answer. Hinata had many sides to her. She was strong willed, flirtatious and a minx between the sheets, but he was more interested in the softer side she tried to conceal from him. Not that he was one to speak about being upfront about everything, but Gaara wanted to know more about her.
"What about you? Are you able to trust people so easily?"
As expected, she flinched. "Trust is earned," she quickly replied.
"Hn." Gaara cocked his head.
Hinata saw that curious look on his face; as if he was thinking of how solve something. "Fine, you're right, okay? Not everyone deserves to be trusted," she added somewhat callously.
His look of inquisitiveness hadn't disappeared.
Looking down at her hands, she gripped her glass tightly. "Gaara, you have your secrets and I have mine. End of story."
Despite her hesitation to reveal everything, Gaara liked Hinata's presence; before it was for his amusement, then to satisfy their sexual needs. Now it felt soothing. They weren't in constant communication but he found himself looking forward to talking to her. His days seemed to end on a better note after speaking with her.
She was funny, smart but also kind and understanding. Hinata didn't try to pry into his life, only listening to whatever he was comfortable with sharing.
But he wondered if they'd ever go further and if he was ready to put himself there again. Taking a large gulp of liquid courage, he readied himself. "Some things just fester if we ignore them for too long… I always had anger issues but it wasn't without reason. I was a real fucking terror growing up."
Hinata remained quiet, listening attentively.
"But it got better, I got help. I thought everything would be okay. Then I put my trust in someone who didn't deserve it and it backfired on me. I relapsed and life was hard... especially for my family. If it wasn't for them, I don't think I would've been able to get off of that destructive path."
He hadn't realized how his grip had tightened around the bottle as he spoke until Hinata gently pried it from his hands. He softened his features when he looked at her and she gave him a shaky smile.
"It's hard, isn't it?" She asked. "Remembering the pain and to feel like the fool?"
Hinata lowered her eyes as the familiar pang in her chest returned. She tried to shake off that feeling; she was never going to go back to how things used to be. She was different, everything was different.
"I did things that I don't regret," Hinata said cryptically. "I changed and I like to think it was for the better. I'm not naive; I'm seeing how people can be and how to protect myself."
Gaara cupped her jaw, staring deeply into her pained pale eyes. "I don't like being seen as vulnerable or weak," she added in a whisper.
"You're not," he replied firmly.
Not wanting to keep the conversation going, Hinata leaned up and kissed him. As they made love, they both felt the shift in their relationship. The line had been crossed but neither felt like it was a mistake.
x-x
It was still strange to Gaara but his initial uneasiness was replaced with something better. Hinata didn't mock him or shy away after he told her about his fights in school, the times he felt alone, or the disgust his father had for him. He still felt guarded with information and didn't reveal names, just like she didn't but it was still nice. She listened and gave him the ability to express things he was holding in for so long.
Hinata remained mum about her own betrayal and he didn't want to press her for more information. Gaara knew firsthand how distressing that could feel and if she wasn't willing to share, he wouldn't force her. As long as she was okay with how things were, so was he.
It's wasn't like they were sharing intricate details and crying into each other's shoulders but it allowed them to understand each other better. And the more he found out about her, the more he was attracted to her. Everything about her enchanted him and he often found himself thinking about her.
With her encouragement, he started spending more time with his sister. Temari was more than happy to see him coming around and he was a frequent guest at her home. But that wasn't to say that he still didn't have a certain lavender eyed woman on his mind.
During breakfast Temari grinned at Gaara's failed attempts to look inconspicuous. He kept looking down at his phone a lot, obviously anticipating someone's messages. Unlike their brother who was back in Suna Temari knew not to draw attention to it. Gaara had always been reserved and withdrawn, even more so after his relationship with Matsuri. She just hoped that if her intuition was correct, this would be a good thing for Gaara.
A small smile started to form on his face. Unfortunately he caught her looking and cleared his throat. "My apologies but I have some urgent matters to attend to." Temari tried not to smirk and he looked away in a hurry. "Work related, of course."
"Its fine, take all the time you need," Temari replied. "I'll see you later!"
Shikamaru cocked an eyebrow at Temari's still bubbly attitude; she usually complained about the lack of time her brothers spent with her and was over the moon when Gaara started popping up more. He attributed her strange behavior to pregnancy hormones.
The second she sent out the message, Hinata wished she could take it back. They had been joking and teasing each other all morning when she brought up the time she spent the night at his place. She had been pretty self-deprecating about the whole thing when he responded.
-Really. It's not the end of the world if you stay over or I go to your place.
This had spurned a lapse in judgement which caused her to invite him over. It had been in jest, not convinced he would actually take her up on her offer. But when he had, she felt nervous. Giving him her address, she bit her nail anxiously.
-Be there in 15
Her eyes widened and she hurried to make it look as presentable as possible. In addition to the frantic rush, she felt dread. This was her sanctuary and letting Gaara inside added another layer to whatever they had. A small part of her was also worried what he'd think; Gaara wouldn't hold back what he thought of her considerably smaller apartment. It added to her anxiety.
Time seemed to move faster than usual and soon he was knocking at her door. Letting him in, she waited for any snaky comment; she and Gaara were on better terms than before but they did like to tease each other. Gaara looked around as she started to fidget.
"I know it's not what you'd imagine I'd live in but-"
"I like it," he interrupted. "It's an expression of you."
She narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"
"It has warmth to it, very charming."
Hinata felt her cheeks start to burn and tried to look unaffected. "Thanks. Would you like a tour? I promise it'll only take two minutes," she said half joking.
Gaara nodded in agreement, he doubted it'd be a quick look. There was so much to see in the much smaller apartment compared to his empty condo and he liked discovering things about Hinata. He stared at her family photos, the artwork on the walls, the books on her shelves, everything and anything that told him a little more about her.
It took longer than Hinata had expected and was surprised by how many questions he asked. She was quick to respond to everything except when he inquired about the photo Kiba took of her in front of her old university. She looked so happy and excited, ready to reach her dreams and goals. Sometimes she would look at that image and feel determined to work harder, other times she felt depressed.
"What was your degree?"
"I was working towards a Business degree but things happened." She said it in a tone that told him she didn't want to talk about it. Determined to lift her spirits, Gaara looked for something to change the subject. Hinata noticed and smiled.
The thorough inspection of her place ended in her bedroom where Gaara had never felt more welcomed.
x-x
"So you're going to stay longer?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah, I underestimated just how hard it'd be for Shukaku to expand into Konoha," he replied. "That and I figured it'd be nice to be around my sister. You know, help her out a bit more."
"That's sweet," Hinata said. She beamed at him and any urge to respond with a snippy comment died in his throat.
"I guess," he murmured, turning away from her as he felt his cheeks start to blush. His hand lingered in the box that Temari had given him in an effort to make his condo cozier. He had resisted but then remembered how Hinata's home made him feel. She had photos of her family, people she cared about, on display.
Slightly hesitating, he placed the only family photo he liked on his mantle. It was taken at Temari's wedding and the only time he had managed to smile without looking pained. Gaara heard Hinata's approaching footsteps and quickly took it down, placing it back in the box.
Despite the level of comfortability he felt with her, Gaara felt this was a huge step for him. To actually start connecting important things together meant Hinata was becoming a part of his other world; the one that knew the total story of the personal demons he battled and more frighteningly his broken heart.
He was scared mostly of how it might shatter how he viewed her. Hinata was someone he started to feel things he hadn't in a long time. She wasn't just someone to keep his bed warm. Hinata made his heart flutter and he wondered if he was ever going to be ready to let someone have that much power over him.
'No. Not again. I can't…'
"Okay, the fridge is completely stocked," she announced. "Now we don't have to worry about you starving."
"I'm touched that you worry about me," he teased.
Hinata smiled coyly. "Well, you need all your strength."
As she helped him bring some life and personal touches to his condo, they talked about work, the merger, the news, and even Kankuro's upcoming birthday. By the time Hinata looked at the clock on the wall and her eyes widened in shock. They had been talking the entire time and it was much too late to have sex since she'd likely have to spend the night which was not something she wanted repeated.
They were more relaxed around each other but intentionally sleeping over would make it seem like they were moving in a familiar territory, one that she didn't know if she was ready to revisit. It had been reserved for people that had her complete trust. Genma, Kakashi, and Sasuke all were men that she trusted enough to let her guard down a bit. But it was different with Gaara, being with him felt different; just like when she was with-
She froze.
"It's late."
He turned to face the wall and looked back at her, indifferent by the information. "Okay."
"I should get going."
"Why? It's Friday. Do you have to be somewhere early tomorrow?"
Hinata shook her head. "But I can't stay the night."
"I thought we settled this," Gaara leaned back in his chair. "And I think the weather's gotten worse after you arrived. Anyways it's not like we have to sleep together every time we see each other. If it happens, great. If not, I'm not going to be upset. Hinata, I'm not going to ask you to take off your clothes or anything in exchange for shelter from a storm. "
She looked outside and thought about it. "No," she finally said. "It's not that bad and I've driven in worse weather."
"I still think it's dangerous but if you feel confident, I trust your judgement." He looked away, not wanting to look as pathetic as he suddenly felt. "Um… Call me when you get home."
Blushing, Hinata muttered an "Okay" and headed for the door.
"Hinata?"
She turned back to see Gaara looking at her with a look of concern. "Be careful."
Hinata nodded and closed the door behind her. Gaara slumped back in his seat, trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his chest which felt slightly like disappointment. He didn't like that she would rather take her chances in this weather than stay overnight. He was being honest when he said he wouldn't expect sex, he just preferred to know she was safe.
He didn't know how long he stayed there listening to the thunderstorm until he head soft knocks on his door. Rushing to answer, he tried not to look to happy when his hopes were met. Soaked and shivering, Hinata looked embarrassed and flustered.
"It's pretty bad out there," she mumbled.
He smirked but not condescendingly. "I'll grab a change of clothes for you. You know where the guest room is."
He suggested she take a shower while he got some stuff together for her. Afterwards Gaara knocked on the bedroom door. She appeared, engulfed in his shower robe. Realizing he was staring, he handed her some spare clothes and walked back to the kitchen to brew some tea.
"The pants were too long."
Gaara turned around in his seat and swallowed thickly, remembering his promise. But she was sight for sore eyes. Hinata was only wearing his shirt and her still damp hair was slightly soaking the grey shirt. She was obviously braless and her nipples were visible.
"Thank you." Hinata bit her lip. "Well, goodnight."
"'Night," he replied gruffly. He inhaled deeply, trying to keep it together at least until he was in his room or bathroom. Then he'd jerk off like the sex starved fiend he felt like.
But Hinata remained there, torturing him with her presence. He felt frustrated with her and himself but then she walked over and started to straddle him. He inhaled sharply, "You don't have to do this."
She placed her hands on his shoulders. "But I want to. Do you-?"
She barely finished asking him before he roughly captured her lips. His hands traveled under the oversized shirt and confirmed his suspicions that it was the only piece of clothing she was wearing. Goosebumps covered her skin but he was determined to warm her up.
She stood up so he could pull his sweats and underwear down, his cock sprung free. As Hinata positioned herself over his cock she tried not to look so amused by his shock when he rubbed the tip against her sex. She had touched herself in the shower, and was still lubricated and ready for him.
Slowly, she took him in. Hinata loved the intense stretching feeling. Lowering down further onto him, she gasped involuntarily. "Ah..."
"Are you okay?" He murmured huskily into her ear.
"Mmm," she replied.
He grabbed onto ass and lifted her up and down on him. She placed her hands on his shoulders as she bounced up and down, her breasts and damp hair dancing around. Hinata couldn't think of anything but the sensation of being repeatedly filled and the tingling sensations running through her.
Hinata's moans spurned him on, picking her up and pulling her down faster and faster as she started to climax. Clenching on his cock caused him to climax as well. They came in sync, pressing their foreheads together and breathing heavily. Staring at her, he leaned forward to place a tender kiss on her lips but she turned her head at the last second. Despite the rejection, he felt content.
Both felt relaxed and blissful. Hinata placed her head on his shoulder as they steadied their breathing, with Gaara gently rubbing her ass knowing he had grabbed it roughly during sex.
"I'm glad I'm staying over," she mumbled against his shoulder.
"Me, too."
Fully back to their senses, they realized how exhausted they were. Hinata slowly got up and he picked up his bottoms. They walked together towards the long hallway but he reached out to grab her hand before she turned to the guest room.
"I think my bed might be more comfortable."
Hinata fought her impulse to free her hand, interlocking their fingers instead. "Are you sure?"
Gaara answered her by gently leading her in and she fought the urge to smile.
After cleaning themselves from their intimate activity, they laid down on his bed. At first it was awkward and they stared at the ceiling, not knowing what to say. Hinata turned her back to him and she felt him shift as well. Initially she figured he'd face the other way but then she felt his arm tighten around her waist and relaxed back into his embrace. She closed her eyes and joined him in slumber.
Although sleep came easier for him with Hinata nearby, Gaara still managed to wake up in the middle of the night. He would've gone back to sleep but his throat was parched and he walked to the kitchen for a drink of water. The last box with his personal items caught his eye. He walked over and without thinking about it too much, placed Temari's wedding photo on the mantle. It wasn't a particularly big photo, but if it caught Hinata's interest then they have something else to talk about.
Strangely the thought wasn't as distressing as before.
x-x
Gaara woke up first but remained in bed. He stared as she cuddled close to him, her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. He had one night stands, brief "relationships", but it had been a long time since he found himself in this position. His first reaction was always to close himself off and create distance from anyone who tried to get too close.
Yet the thought of staying away from Hinata made his stomach churn. If it was anyone else, he knew it'd be extremely easy to cut all ties. But he was too far gone; Gaara realized it simply came back to Hinata herself. Her expressions, kindness, affection; her entire being had captivated him.
'Would it be so bad? But then what about her? Would she want to try?'
There were some things still unsaid; he didn't know who hurt her or how deep the pain went. Being in a similar position, Gaara knew far too well just how that felt. He gently ran his hand down the side of her face, moving her hair out of the way he traced lazy circles on her cheek with the back of his fingers.
She tilted her face into his caress.
'Hinata, you drive me crazy,' he thought. 'But I like it.'
He moved in close and her body warmed at the gentle strength of his grip. They remained in bed for another hour even after Hinata awoke before their stomachs growled with hunger. Gaara firmly insisted that he fix her breakfast after a quick shower since she was his guest and she shyly accepted.
As she waited for him, Hinata walked around the newly decorated condo. She liked that he was making it his own. It felt different but better. She stood by the window, letting the warm sun bathe her skin.
At the same time Shikamaru was juggling Temari's spare keys to Gaara's condo and the package she sent him over with. He opened the door and quietly closed it behind him. He knew that it'd be better to drop off more of Temari's gifts and leave as soon as possible. The Sabaku siblings were stubborn and Gaara would undoubtedly send it back, refusing more of Temari's housewarming presents. But the kitchen set was heavy and he just wanted to get in and out without any trouble.
As he walked deeper into the condo he heard someone walking around. It was strange since Temari told him Gaara would likely be at work since he was such a workaholic even on weekends.
Shikamaru sighed thinking it was inevitable to see his reclusive brother- in- law. It was better to announce his presence now instead of catching Gaara off guard. The last time that happened, he ended up with a bruised jaw.
"Hey, Gaara. Don't shoot the messenger but-"
Shikamaru dropped the box in shock as he stared at the figure looking out the window. Her hairstyle was familiar but as soon as she turned to face him with fright, his suspicions were confirmed.
Finding the source of the loud crashing sound didn't lessen her nerves, if anything her panic increased at seeing Naruto's best friend staring back at her. She felt her heart drop. His eyes quickly narrowed and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself protectively.
Gaara came rushing in to see what caused the booming noise. He scowled at Shikamaru and the toppled box at his feet. Grimacing, he opened it to see the damage. Some of the dishes were certainly not salvageable and he glared up at his brother- in- law.
"What the fuck, Shikamaru? You better tell Temari it's your fault because I'm not dealing with her temper especially now."
But Shikamaru didn't seem to hear him. Gaara noticed his heated glare directed towards Hinata and felt bothered. Hinata looked alarmed, like she was on the verge of passing out. Gaara rushed over and steadied her, standing in front of her and blocking Shikamaru from getting an eyeful of Hinata who was still only wearing his shirt.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?"
But she also seemed out of it. Her eyes were wide with shock and she had a faraway look.
Gaara gently shook her. "Hinata-"
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Shikamaru heatedly asked.
Gaara turned back, surprised by the tone of his voice. He had never seen Shikamaru look so furious and upset. He glanced down at Hinata who appeared distraught. An uneasy feeling started to settle in the pit of his stomach and Gaara knew he was missing crucial information.
-Ya so this mood shift is why I wanted a separate doc/story for this arc but what's done is done and the voters have spoken.
The other endings were pretty much "See ya later, you don't exist to me anymore." This Hinata is going to be more uncertain about relationships and love since I decided to explore what if she had to look back at the past and confront certain people. I wouldn't call it being docile since you can be confident as hell but still have doubts about certain things. It's called being human and normal.
But to that anon that said "Gaara=Naruto"? C'mon. They are similar even in canon but I'm going to show a very crucial difference in regards to how they coped with being betrayed (it might sound similar but it'll be revealed in the next chapter) and more importantly how they deal with truly loving Hinata.
I know what I meant and wrote down, anyone can take it however they want. But jfc: "Hinata might as well have remained with Naruto"? Dude. Stop. Now you're really reaching.
That's all I'll say to on that so I won't spoil the next chapter. If it's as long as this one, it might be the last (fucking finally!) in the Cheap Thrills saga. I might touch on this story in my later one shots but I can't predict the future. If I did, you'd hear about all about the multi-time lotto winner that offered to buy the Naruto franchise.
-As always my PM is open to suggestions for one shots but I'll write what I agree with at my own pace. Or else it feels forced and unless I get moolah, I don't answer to anyone. Just being real with you guys. Upside? I'm totally feeling a lot of the ideas tho: ItaHina? Yas bitch! GaaHinaSasu? Dyin' from the bloodloss. Keep 'em coming.