"There you go," Temari finished fidgeting with the robe. It fit perfectly. "Go show him."

"Are we allowed?" Hinata wondered.

Temari made a face. "Why wouldn't we?"

"In Konoha, it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in the wedding gown before the wedding," Hinata explained. "He's not supposed to see her before she comes down the aisle."

"Is that the part where you walk in with your father?" Hinata nodded. "We don't have that. You'll see him before then. It's not that ceremonial. Do you want to do that?"

"No, it's kinda silly anyway." Hinata let Temari tug her out, spinning her to Gaara in front of the mirror. The shirt fanned evenly out as she was twirled before falling in drapes back down her legs.

"So?" Temari asked them.

It was a simple, fitted, plain dress with a round collar and full-length sleeves that fit loose as most did here, the skirt was full, and the bottom hung just at her ankles. She noticed the glitter of the hems, taking a closer look at her sleeves. It had a silvery thread in a simple design for accents. She had never seen a long-sleeved wedding dress, but she would gladly take it.

"How does the sash go on?" Hinata asked.

Temari grabbed the long, embroidered fabric and draped it over one shoulder. It was then crossed at her hip and made an odd knot to keep it placed flat at her hip. "It's much more subtle than most brides," Temari pulled Hinata's hair up, twirling it with her fingers to keep it there. "We decided up, right?" She showed her in the mirror.

"It would be far too warm to have it down." Hinata agreed, looking through the mirror. Gaara examined her but said nothing, which she took as silent approval.

"Aren't you going to say anything, Gaara? Why did we bother to bring you?" Temari scolded.

Gaara narrowed his eyes. "You tell me."

"Tell her what you think," Temari demanded.

"It's fine, Temari-san." Hinata waved her hands. "He doesn't need to tell me." She knew he approved by not complaining to the contrary. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable, being forced to give false compliments.

"I don't understand you two." Temari shook her head as she played with the sash before asking. "Who plans weddings in Konoha?"

"Well, it depends. Most times, it's the maid of honor or women in your family, but Ino-chan's family will plan them for a fee. In most Hyuga weddings, it's your mother and aunts." Hinata explained.

"Maid of honor?" Temari asked.

"Uh, she's head of the bridesmaids. The bride's version of best man." Temari knew what a bride's maid was.

"Oh. Maybe you'll be my maid of honor someday." Temari thought aloud.

"Planning to have a Konoha wedding?" Gaara interjected.

Temari turned red. "They are very interesting."

Hinata giggled. "Make sure you add him to the guest list. We'll be happy to have Shikamaru-san."

Temari huffed at her. "You guys aren't supposed to gang up on me."

Hinata flopped down on Gaara's couch with a sigh. Her hair was wet, and she didn't usually shower before coming to see him, but the last few times, she started to. She was more tired as the days went on but never complained. Gaara didn't notice the change at first, but it started showing on her face, dark circles forming under her eyes that matched his. Hinata curled up in her claimed spot in the office with her book, drifting as she read.

"Hinata." Hinata jumped. "Go to bed."

"I'm reading." Hinata lifted her book.

"No, you're falling asleep with a book in your lap." Gaara counted. Hinata pouted. Had anyone pouted at him before?

"You're not going to bed," Hinata mumbled.

"I'm not allowed to sleep much." Did she cringe?

"I still haven't tried to help with that," Hinata closed her book.

"It's not something I think you can cure." Shukaku had yet to give an opinion on her. When Hinata was around, Shukaku observed, like he was trying to figure her out, just like Gaara was. It made his life much more peaceful when she was around.

"It's still worth a try sometime." Hinata shrunk into herself and played with the corner of her book. "This may sound horrible, but have you tried asking?"

Gaara wasn't sure if that could be considered funny or not. "Shukaku is not one to honor requests."

"Oh, okay. I don't know much about him. I heard a few things, but they were rude, and I don't like to believe rumors." Was it possible for someone to be so ridiculously pure?

Gaara could feel Shukaku's amusement. What did he find funny? "Shukaku doesn't seem to dislike you."

Hinata perked up. "Really?"

"He voices his dislikes loudly. It makes meetings with politicians frustrating." Gaara explained.

Hinata set her book to the side, repositioning herself to face him. "So he talks to you regularly?"

"Yes, he has become calmer since I gained better control, but he is vocal when he wants to be." Gaara set down his pen to give her his attention. "Shukaku doesn't seem to have an opinion on you. It's odd for him to be so silent. I didn't notice it at first."

"He just ignores me, then?" Gaara tilted his head, not sure if that was the answer. "Is it rude to talk about him in the third person even though he's present?"

Amusement rippled from Shukaku. "I don't have an answer to that, though he has never protested to that specifically." Gaara was starting to think that Shukaku's amusement was more in his reactions to what Hinata said rather than what she was saying. Gaara didn't appreciate being laughed at.

"Oh, okay." Hinata pressed her lips together thoughtfully.

"You were going to bed." Gaara remained.

"I didn't agree to that." Hinata puffed out her cheeks again.

Gaara decided pouting was 'cute.'

"Really?" Hinata whimpered, settling herself in front of Gaara.

"He'd much rather you do it than me, right?" Temari asked her brother to confirm. Gaara gave her a single nod. He didn't want to do this at all, either.

"Fine, but I'm telling you, I don't think it will suit him." Hinata held her hand out. Temari put some clear goo in her hand. Hinata rubbed it in her fingers and gently combed it across his scalp, distributing the gel evenly as she could. Gaara leaned forward and closed his eyes, giving her full access to his head. His hair was incredibly coarse, thick, and tangled in some places. Hinata tried to be as gentle as she could so she wouldn't hurt him if she caught any small knots. These knots were clearly from him scratching at his head and running his fingers through his when he was stressed. She worried about him sometimes.

"Now, just comb it down. Maybe he'll look like an adult." Hinata did what she was told, but she wasn't sure where to part it. Hinata smoothed it down and sat back, taking the towel from Temari for her fingers.

"I don't like it." Hinata immediately voiced.

Gaara's hair pressed down didn't look like him at all. He looked like Sai. Hinata didn't know the artist well, but his smile made her extremely uncomfortable the few times they had met. Something else was off. Gaara's cheeks were flushed. She must have made him too warm, leaning over him like that. She hoped she wasn't breathing on his face.

"You don't think it's cute?" Temari laughed.

"No." Hinata frowned.

Temari burst into a fit of laughter. "I want a picture of this."

"Let's try something else." Hinata undid the flat hair and pushed it straight back. "Hand me the towel, please," Hinata took it to take some of the gel back out of his hair before sitting back.

"Better," Temari remarked.

"I prefer his normal hair," Hinata admitted.

"It's your wedding. I just thought we should try it. Gaara would have never let me do his hair when he was little, so at least I got you to do it." Temari laughed.

Hinata felt like she was being used for torture. Gaara's face was still flushed. Hinata worried that his sister was embarrassing him.