"This is where Naruto-kun wanted to meet us for dinner." Hinata stopped at Naruto's favorite restaurant, shoulders sore from standing straight, hands rubbed raw, and caves and feet screaming from the heeled dress shoes. The hike up the kill was not a wise first choice. Despite all that, Kankuro was pleasant and oblivious to her discomfort. However, Gaara watched her more than the scenery with his steely gaze. At this point, it was possible he didn't like her on a personal level, not just because she wasn't his favored guide. She did her best to take the route Naruto would, occasionally pointing out things he wouldn't, but she kept her additional comments to a minimum. The Kage said nothing more to her directly, only responding to what his brother said.
Kankuro asked to take a detour or two. Hinata decided against it when Gaara's face only hardened at the suggestion.
"If you would like to be shown anything else while you're here, I would be happy to give you another tour, Kankuro-san." Hinata smiled, hoping he understood her discomfort. Kankuro agreed, promising to take her up on the offer before they left. He gave a side-eyed glance to his brother and his worsening mood.
They weren't late, but they weren't early either. They sat down, ordering drinks while they waited. The Kazekage sat across from her. Hinata avoided eye contact to not help him find more reasons to dislike her. Kankuro kept the conversation going, but it wasn't long before they understood Naruto would be late.
"Have you eaten yet, Kazekage-sama? I didn't see you eat at the meeting." Hinata hoped that wasn't assuming too much. Gaara's eyes narrowed like he didn't understand the point. "If you haven't, I'm sure Naruto-kun would understand if you ordered early." Hinata pinched the hem of her skirt, hoping he wouldn't take offense.
The Kage agreed, waving over the server to order. Hinata let out a sigh of relief while he was turned. Her father would have killed her if he thought she was leaving them hungry. Gaara knew what he wanted. Naruto took everyone here. Hinata held off ordering. She didn't think she could eat right now anyway. Just sipping on her water was making her sick.
"Hinata?" Kankuro asked.
"Yes?" Hinata looked up, then wished she hadn't.
Kankuro was nervous. "You're first in line to be the head of your clan, right?"
Hinata nodded. That was technically true.
Kankuro's face twitched uncomfortably. "Then why is it your father pointing out your eligibility?" Hinata cringed. She was worried he would ask.
Gaara's interest was piqued. The best course of action was the full truth. If her father got hold of them again, he would tell them less favorably. "I'm the first heir, but not the best choice. My sister would be a far better leader, so I am more useful as an…" It was much harder to talk about potential suitors to the suitors rather than to her sister or friends. "Able wife."
Kankuro's flickered between understanding, confusion, and irritation.
"So, your father is trying to marry you off to the most eligible man he can find?" Gaara interjected, irritated. Her father pointed him out specifically. Hiashi probably hoped that this outing would be more of a presentation to him. That failed miserably. "Is that why you offered to be our guide? To seduce us?"
Hinata let out a strangled noise of shock. She expected he might jump to that conclusion, but she hadn't realized he would be so blunt. Even though it wasn't true, the idea alone made her feel like a simple whore. Hinata realized how she walked with her hands behind her would have pressed her chest out in this blouse. It wouldn't if she was wearing her jacket! She wanted to melt out of this seat.
"Temari asked her to. She wasn't pushing herself on us, Gaara." Kankuro didn't sound confident. The aura of distaste coming off the Kage was piercing them both. Gaara's disapproval seeped into her soul. Hinata failed in her mission to not offend the Kazekage. Tears prickled her eyes. Even if she said otherwise, he already made up his mind about her. Any defense would make her look more guilty.
"Hinata-chan, Gaara, Kankuro! Hey!" Naruto's bright voice came from the door.
Hinata wiped away a tear that escaped, promptly getting up to bow deeply to hide her face. "Naruto-kun is here. Please excuse me. I'm sorry for the day." She whisked past Naruto and out the door to not cry in front of them.
Naruto called for her before turning to ask what had happened as he sat down.
Hinata sat stiffly at the next meeting. Her father didn't let on that he knew about her blunder. She slipped in and cleaned her face before speaking to him, only reporting the bare basics about the outing, as well as she didn't think the Kazekage was an interested suitor. Hiashi scolded her on the grounds she should have worked harder but cursed her weakness as the cause of why he wasn't interested.
Hanabi was worried, but Hinata wasn't going to weigh her down. Hanabi had enough to worry about. Hinata kept her eyes on the speaker, not daring to meet the eyes boring holes into the side of her head.
As the meetings broke off, Hinata kept busy to avoid the rotting feeling, avoiding offered food. With how nervous she was, she doubted she could keep it down.
Hinata went through the entire meeting without confrontation until it was time to leave. Her father sent her back to get the paperwork. He sat down. Hinata cringed, knowing the only ones who hadn't left were the Kazekage and Naruto, but she obediently headed back into the meeting room, finding the folder. She tried to ignore the conversation, but Naruto whispered far too loud.
"See? There she is. Go on, Gaara." Hinata's heart sank. All hopes of not having to confront him today were crushed.
Hinata felt him come toward her, though she couldn't hear his light steps.
"Hyuga." Hinata tried not to flinch, but she did. She hesitated to look up but forced it. Instead of his usual glare, Gaara was highly uncomfortable, with his crossed arms and back stiff, waiting for her to acknowledge him.
Hinata opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Yes, Kazekage-sama?"
"It has been brought to my attention that I owe you an apology." Hinata didn't know if Gaara could grumble, but he was close.
"There's no real need." Hinata didn't want him to think wrong of her, but she didn't want him to believe he 'owed' her anything, either.
Gaara continued like she hadn't spoken. "I have been informed that I was wrong and that you are far from a common whore, but are rather the victim of your family decisions." Did he need to say it like that? Hinata avoided his eyes as her cheeks darkened. "That you are a 'lovely' person and potential partner, and I should attempt to befriend you." The words coming from his mouth sounded so unnatural. "So, I apologize for any offense or insult and wish to take 'your' tour and will be paying for dinner." Hinata cringed for him.
"That's really not necessary, Kazekage-sama. The apology is more than enough. I need to get these papers home to my father," Hinata held the folder tightly to her chest, hoping he would take the way out, even if Naruto didn't think it was enough.
"Then I will come with you, and we will go after," Gaara decided, assuring her she was not getting out of his apology.
"I…" Hinata couldn't think of a good enough reason to say no, so she agreed. Maybe she could change shoes. She still had blisters from the day before. She had been stepping carefully all day.
Naruto gave Gaara a thumbs up.
"I'm sorry, Kazekage-sama," Hinata tried.
"I do not believe you have anything to apologize for," Gaara answered.
Hinata disagreed.
Gaara followed her out of the building and across the village to the Hyuga compound in heavy silence.
"Please come in. You are welcome to my home, Kazekage-sama," Hinata offered, stepping in. Before she could ask him to sit, she had hands in her hair, pulling out the pins that had held it up.
"Hinata-sama, welcome home." They spoke as they worked before realizing he was there. When they did, they all hastily bowed. "Kazekage-sama! Welcome to the Hyuga compound!"
"Please wait for me here. I won't be long," Hinata promised as she headed down the hall, followed by women pulling pins from her hair. She asked for a change of clothing that would be more comfortable. She had the feeling it would be far fancier than she liked.
Hinata knocked on her father's door, entering when he called. "You were delayed," Hiashi demanded.
"Yes, father. Kazekage-sama has asked for another tour." Hiashi sat up straight at the new information. "He's waiting for me in the main hall." Hinata shrunk as his face twisted.
Hiashi stood from his desk. Hinata placed the folder on it. "Why did you inconvenience him by bringing him here?"
"He insisted." Hinata's protest fell on deaf ears. Hiashi was already out the door to greet him.
As soon as Hinata left the room, the hands returned to her hair, and she was pulled to her room to change. A formal but comfortable dress was presented to her with sensible flat shoes. Her hair was pulled back into a simpler hairstyle. She was then ushered back down the hall, where her father stood with the Kage. Gaara was tense. Hinata feared what her father said to him while she was gone.
"You've kept the Kazekage waiting." Hiashi scolded.
"I'm sorry." Hinata bowed. "I'm ready, Kazekage-sama." Hinata set her shoes down, slipping them on. Her father's disapproval was burning her back.
The door was opened for them. Gaara was the first out, fleeing the atmosphere. Hinata followed suit, coming to a stop behind him. This time, she allowed her hands to come together in front of her.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," Hinata repeated. She hoped the apology had more impact now that it was not being forced on her.
Gaara didn't respond.
"Where would you like to go today, then?" Hinata tried to break the bitter, uncomfortable silence.
"We will have lunch first," Gaara answered without looking back at her.
Hinata nodded, then realized he couldn't see her. "Okay…"
"You didn't eat at the meeting." Hinata didn't need any more proof that he watched her the entire time, but now she had it. He was taking after her from yesterday, though she wasn't sure if that was a good thing.