Hinata couldn't have heard him right. She couldn't even look down at what he set in front of her. She felt her cheeks darkening every second. She would faint. No! She couldn't. She wouldn't let herself. She blinked away the dizziness before opening her mouth. "What?"
Gaara hesitated this time. "Will you marry me?" He didn't like repeating himself, but how did he expected her to react to a question like that?
Hinata looked down at the odd-looking ring without a box that sat between their empty plates and cups of tea. An engagement ring? She picked it up with trembling fingers. It was made of sand.
"I did not have enough time with you to know what 'personalized' ring you would like. I can get another when I do." Gaara was listening to her when she explained about engagement rings. That was the first tour. She assumed he tuned her out.
Hinata felt tears sting her eyes. She shifted the ring. Specks in it glittered in the sun streaming through the window. He was asking her? Not just making a deal with her father, he decided to ask her? She got an engagement ring? A real engagement ring?
The ring was soft, not coarse like it looked. Hinata slid it onto the correct finger, squeaking when it moved to fit her finger. It was made of the sand he carried. The tears overflowed down her face. She covered her mouth with her free hand to attempt to restrain a sob. This was probably the most personalized ring she could ever get. Crafted by him, made directly from something he carried everywhere, and infused with his chakra. He had no idea how sweet it was.
"I've upset you." Gaara broke her thoughts.
"Yes. Uhm, no, not that. I'm not upset, but yes." Hinata stumbled over her words as she wiped her eyes. Why was she getting so emotional over this? How did she express how special this moment was to her, or thank him for it? She hadn't known him long, but he was being so sweet, even if it wasn't his idea. Gaara didn't seem to understand what he was doing. He probably asked someone how engagement worked. She was thankful for whoever left out the kneeling. She would have fainted if he had.
Gaara presented her with a precious moment she never thought she would get. "You're not upset, but you will marry me?" Gaara clarified.
"Yes." Hinata hiccuped.
"Then, why are you crying?" Gaara wondered.
Hinata smiled. "I'm happy. I love the ring. Can I just keep this one?" Gaara was surprised but nodded. "Thank you so much."
Gaara felt a wave of relief. Hinata wasn't upset, but she was still crying. He didn't understand why she liked the ring so much.
Hinata smiled brightly at him with tears running down her face. He had never seen someone cry when they were happy. It was interesting. What did they do next? Tell her father, likely.
Hinata twisted the ring on her finger and brushed over it lightly with her thumb. A sensation he became very aware of. "What made you decide to do this?"
That was a good question. Gaara decided over the course of a day that he would marry her. He hadn't properly informed or consulted his council on the matter, just his brother and sister. Not that he would have asked the council for permission. Naruto considered her a friend, but he wouldn't have done it if it was just that. She wasn't scared of him. She forgave him so easily, despite his rude insult. She was willing to spend time with him. Were those good reasons? There was a pile of things that led up to this. Gaara found her interesting and attractive. Her presence did not annoy him. She was quiet and calm and didn't treat him differently. What a good way to say all that? Hinata glanced up at him as he still searched for his answer. "I don't mind having you around."
Hinata's cheeks, which started to return to their original pale color, suddenly flared red again. "Thank you."
Good answer, he decided.
Hinata had never seen her father speechless. In fact, this was the first she ever saw his mouth open, with nothing coming out of it or going in.
Hinata fidgeted with her new favorite item, resting comfortably on her finger.
Hiashi finally found what it was he wanted to say. "Kazekage-sama, it is not usually custom for an engagement to happen without first addressing the council for permission." Hiashi glared past the stiff Kage to give her. She hadn't done anything, but she ducked her head to hide behind her new fiancé.
"I assumed it would not be necessary since you made a point to tell me of her availability." Gaara's voice came out just as stern, challenging him to tell him he was wrong.
Hiashi chose his words carefully. "You are correct. I did. I will ask, however, that you be present when the council is addressed. They will likely want a word with you" Gaara nodded. "Hinata."
"Yes?" Hinata straightened under her father's gaze.
"Make sure Hanabi is ready for departure." It finally hit Hinata that she would be going with him. She would be going to Suna and not coming back, leaving her sister, her friends, and her home. How had she not thought about it?
"Hinata," Hiashi repeated sternly, waiting for his confirmation.
"Yes, father…"
"WHAT!?" Hanabi shouted in her face, snatching Hinata's hand. "I didn't even think he considered the idea, but he proposed? Like properly?" Hanabi turned her hand, scrunching her face. "Is this made of sand?"
"Kinda, and yes, it's his sand. It's very sweet, but Hanabi-chan, that is not the point." Hinata tugged her hand away from her sister's grasp. "He's the Kazekage. I will return to Suna with him."
"Oh." The excitement fell from Hanabi as she plopped down on her bed.
"Father wants to make sure you're ready to become the sole heiress. Are you?" Hanabi was ready. She picked up so much so quickly Hinata was so proud of her.
"Well, I guess, but I don't want you to leave," Hanabi flopped back onto her bed.
"I don't want to leave you either, but I expected to live with my husband." Hinata came to sit beside her sister, brushing her hair back. "I will write to you."
"How am I going to do this alone…" Watching Hanabi spiral was painful to watch.
"You won't be alone, Neji-san and father will be here, and I promise to write when I can." Hinata leaned down to pet her sister's hair. "You won't be alone."
"But, I want you." Hanabi curled around her, burying her face into Hinata's stomach as she hid the tears rimming her eyes. Hinata petted her head as her own started to wet the younger girl's hair.
Tsunade informed Gaara that he should spend more time with his future wife before leaving. So here he stood outside the Hyuga compound, hoping to collect her. His meeting with her father brought him more questions, not about her father, but her. Hinata hid behind him for safety. Had anyone used him for emotional protection before, even by accident? Her fear and discomfort were something he could feel coming off her. She was so expressive that even he could feel her emotions.
The Hyuga counsel was not unlike his opinionated old men, always looking to trade up. They demanded to know what' right' he had to claim their heir before their clan head had a chance to tell them. She was offered to him. Gaara took the opportunity to make them shrivel back. At least his dark past was useful to her.
"Welcome back to the Hyuga compound, Kazekage-sama. Would you like to be announced?" One of the Hyuga bowed politely.
"No, I have only come to ask my fiancée to accompany me." Gaara chose his words to keep the chances of refusal low. He would refrain from using such possessive wording with her. From his understanding, women did not like to be owned.
"Yes, of course, I will fetch her." The Hyuga scuttled back inside. Gaara was soon presented with the woman in question, looking confused. Hinata was dressed more casually than before. Long loose layers in pale colors suited her.
"Kazekage-sama, was there something you needed?" Hinata fiddled with her ring. Rarely did someone come in contact with his sand that he wasn't attacking, so ginger touches felt strange.
"You may call me Gaara now. There is no longer a need for the formalities now." Gaara never liked formality anyway. "Will you accompany me to meet with the Hokage and my sister?" Gaara gave her the decision like he was advised.
"Of course, Gaara-sama, just allow me to change," Hinata mumbled before retreating inside. She still called him so formally, though it was behavior she used with friends as well. Something he would have to get used to as her husband.
"What's wrong with what you are wearing?" Hinata's features were much softer without makeup, and she looked more comfortable in what she was wearing. Gaara suspected she still had blisters from her shoes the day they met, which caused her to step carefully.
"Uh, I guess I don't have to." Hinata pulled a piece of cloth she was wearing over her hair, handing it to the Hyuga that fetched her, before slipping on shoes and brushing her long skirt off. She followed him down the street toward where he assumed his sister to be. "Is there something Temari-san would like to talk to me about?"
"It has been brought to my attention that I did not inform my council of our joining either. It was a more rash decision than I realized at the time." Gaara informed her.
"Rash for both of us." Hinata agreed.
"Do you regret this?" If she did, he could break the engagement. Gaara didn't want to. He enjoyed her company.
"It's not like that. It's just that… I hadn't thought about moving to Suna. My sister isn't happy about the arrangement, and I know others who won't be either." Hinata stared at her feet as they walked. She had relaxed around him since the first day. How did she trust him so quickly? From what he had been told, that was what she did, but wasn't he different?
"I will not keep you from them," Gaara assured her. His family was becoming more important to him. He could understand her attachment. "Though I will not always be able to accompany you if you visit them in Konoha." After all, trips this long to other villages were rare, and his trip was about to end. Was she coming with him when he left, or would he wait for her?
"Thank you. I don't expect you to come with me." Hinata's entire body seemed to gain joy. Her lowered head now served to conceal a smile. Was it cute? He was going with cute.