For a meek woman, Hinata certainly wasn't afraid to argue with him. That was the first argument in a long time that hadn't ended in someone leaving the room frightened. Hinata was being logical, and it was hard to argue against. Gaara would get things done faster if everyone came at him like that.

Years of fighting out of anger, being responded to with fear and hate rather than logical counters, made him ill-prepared to counter her.

Hinata didn't storm out or cry. She stood her ground and hit, then stayed to patch the wounded. That was the logical side.

The emotional side was her stance. Her shift in standing from casual to formal hurt him emotionally. Gaara didn't want her closing off like that. He enjoyed her openness both in conversation and body language. It was calming and comforting to have someone be so open.

But, instead of closing off, Hinata requested he spent time with her. Gaara ignored his paperwork for a while, following her cheerful form out the door.

Gaara didn't understand her emotions or their effect on him. Hinata caused absolute irritation, then doused him in cold water. His days were more interesting, for sure.

Hinata smiled up at him as they walked. "What's your honest opinion of the wedding planning?" Hinata had an adverse reaction to some traditions. Gaara hoped Temari would respect her embarrassment and cultural difference, but his sister wasn't one to bend easily.

"I have attended worse," Gaara assured her.

"I like the feast being the big event. It takes some of the direct attention away." Hinata's cheeks glowed in the dim lights in the hall. She was marrying the wrong man to be away from the center of attention. "It's like the village is celebrating something more important than a simple marriage."

"Simple?" Weren't marriages a big deal?

"Well, I don't see weddings as big of a moment as most," Hinata explained. "The engagement is the moment they choose to spend their lives together. Sometimes even before that." Gaara could feel her sliding her ring around her finger. "A wedding is like a funeral. It's for the family to be joyful or mournful."

"You're comparing a wedding with a funeral," Gaara commented.

"Well, a funeral isn't for the dead. It's for the living to come together and cry and mourn. A wedding isn't as much for the couple as those watching to feel happy for the joined couple. That can be beneficial, but it doesn't change the outcome." Hinata was full of odd ideas.

"Then why did you agree to have one?" Hinata opened the door for Temari to take over but rejected a wedding in her own culture.

"Well, there are benefits to this one." What was the difference? "This wedding isn't just a union between us, but a union of me with Suna culture. I'm accepting you and your culture entirely by marrying you this way rather than not having one."

"So it's political?" There were other ways.

"No, it's kinda selfish," Hinata admitted.

"I don't understand."

"I want to be accepted into your culture, and this is the best way to start. I hope it will also bring some acceptance. If the people see that I am willing to embrace their culture, maybe they wouldn't see me as a horrible foreigner." Hinata explained.

"Not selfish, just practical," Gaara commented.

Hinata considered it, "I disagree."

"That is fine." Hinata smiled at him. They didn't need to agree on everything. That would make no sense. If these minor disagreements could be easily ignored, maybe arguments in the future could be resolved easily as well.

They walked the hall aimlessly, something he never did on purpose before. It was more pleasant than doing it because he was restless.

"Why don't you sleep?" Hinata wondered.

"Shukaku made it difficult in the past. I have better control now, but it has caused lasting effects." Who told her?

"Have you tried medication?" Why was she interested?

"It has little effect, and medications strong enough have addictive qualities." Hinata nodded, thinking.

"Would you let me try?" Hinata asked.

Why would she try? "Why do you believe you need to ask?"

Hinata fidgeted with her ring. "Well, you don't need me butting into your health, really, and it's evasive."

"To ask?"

"No, the process. It requires minor contact, but contact nonetheless." People didn't touch him because he didn't want them to. They didn't touch him because they didn't want to.

"I will not reject contact from you," Gaara assured her.

Gaara felt a light touch on his resting fingers. He flinched, looking down at their pale hands as her thin calloused fingers curled around his larger uncalloused ones. He felt… warm? Not just in his hand, his chest, and his face. This didn't make much sense. Was this a reaction to a woman touching him, or only to her touching him? Why did she have such an effect?

Gaara closed his hand around hers. Hinata hid her face in her bangs, and her eyes clenched shut. Was she feeling something similar, was this embarrassment he was feeling, was it bad?

Gaara couldn't tell. He knew embarrassment could be a bad feeling, but this felt pleasant.

Hinata didn't speak for a while, so when he decided he disliked the silence, he ended it.

"Have you and Kankuro spoken of your living arrangements after the wedding? He briefly mentioned the options but not your opinion." If her face got any darker, Gaara would start to worry.

"Well, I didn't want to impose, though I know what is expected of me as a wife…" Did Hinata think he would not be willing to share his room? He barely used it, or was she scared of sleeping in the same room as him?

"I don't mind sharing my room with you. I barely use it. You're welcome to it." Hinata blinked at him before starting to giggle. Gaara had missed something.

"Thank you." Hinata covered her lips with the fingertips of her free hand, controlling the laugh. Her face was returning to normal, so he would leave it be. "And thank you for walking with me, Gaara." Hinata stopped. Gaara didn't feel like going back in.

Hinata slipped her hand out of his, pulling it to her chest. Could he ask her to stay? He wasn't sure what she did after their meetings.

Gaara opened the door, standing aside for her. Hinata was understandably confused but stepped in. He closed the door and crossed the room to his desk.

Now, what?