Gaara braced himself for her family. The Hyuga came today, and her friends tomorrow.
Hinata gripped around his arm, like a lady 'should' at the village entrance. Gaara could feel her anxiety and stress. He would hold her closer to alleviate it, but they needed to be delicate with affection in front of the Hyuga.
When the Hyuga and their escort came into view, she squeezed his arm. All the anxiety seemed to float away as one of the figures lunged forward ahead of the group at full speed. Hinata stepped forward, opening her arm to receive an excited sister.
Hinata curled around her sister warmly until the rest of the group joined them. Then the anxiety was back, and a growl ripped through his mind.
"Hanabi." Hiashi scolded.
"She's done nothing wrong," Hinata replied sternly.
Gaara took pride in her sudden defiance. "I hold no offense."
Hanabi refused to release her sister and only burrowed deeper.
"Hinata-sama." Neji stepped forward with a bow. "You look well." He smiled softly at her, and she returned it happily.
The rest of the Hyuga eyed them. These many sets of white eyes were eerie. Gaara ignored the insults about their demeanor that he could hear in his head.
"Let us go inside then. This sun is not gentle to fair skin." Hinata let Hanabi cling to her side as they walked.
Hanabi soaked up all the information she was being given with excitement. "This is going to be so much more fun than a wedding at home!"
"Just please keep out of father's way. The culture shock will be enough as it is." Hinata begged.
"He'll have a lot more than culture shock to deal with if he tries to ruin your wedding day." Hanabi's face set.
"Baby steps with your new power, Hanabi-chan." Hanabi was becoming the clan head soon after the wedding.
"This has nothing to do with my power. It has to do with him ruining everything you have ever had. I won't let it happen here too." Hanabi snapped. "You're still my sister, and I want to be at your side for this wedding, you promised."
"Hanabi-chan." Hinata scolded.
"So, are you excited?" Hanabi asked Gaara.
Gaara considered the question before answering. "I do not believe I understand the feeling."
"What?" Hanabi scrunched her face.
Hinata patted his arm with a smile. "Gaara is reserved in his emotions. Shukaku-san has expressed he is excited, though."
"The demon?" Hanabi's face twisted.
"Shukaku-san has expressed his agreement to the marriage." Gaara saw the pointed look on her face, telling the younger girl to watch her tongue while he was present.
'Don't think the in-laws like me.' Shukaku joked.
Hiashi's scowl followed Hinata around the room as she spoke to those who planned to come to Suna permanently. Hinata thanked them with other pleasantries. Most of them knew her personally and volunteered. She was glad she would be surrounded by family that at least didn't despise her.
Hinata wasn't avoiding him. This was tactical, as were her short pleasantries with the elders present. Gaara stayed at her side, letting her hold his arm and speaking only when spoken to. Hinata could feel his general discomfort.
Hanabi joined them after some time, having an argument about her behavior. She responded by taking her sister's free hand, firmly giving her father a stern scowl.
"Please don't make a scene," Hinata whispered.
"Just making my point," Hanabi told her.
"Cute and full of fire." Kankuro teased from behind them. Hanabi turned, and Hinata glared pointedly.
"I told you…" Hinata warned Kankuro.
"Yeah, I know. Just a compliment." Kankuro joked with a big grin.
"Was he talking about me?" Hanabi asked.
"Yes," Gaara answered for them. "And I believe we have enough reason for family tension without your behavior, Kankuro."
"I was just… OW!" Kankuro rubbed the back of his head.
"Can't you be not yourself for a few days?" Temari scolded.
"I like this family." Hanabi held tighter to her sister.
"I was informed I am not needed for the wedding." Was Hiashi's first word to her since he arrived.
Hinata tightened her fake smile. Hinata hoped Temari was at least polite about it. "Suna weddings don't have an aisle to walk. You will be included if you wish to stand with us, but there is no passing of the bride. Hanabi-chan, Temari-san, and Matsuri-san" Hinata spoke carefully title-wise. "Will stand by me. Kankuro-san, Baki-san, and Neji-san by Gaara." Hinata explained, feeling his disapproval. "It's more of a celebration of the generation joining than passing from the previous."
"You have asked for nothing of your mother's." Hiashi continued.
"Nothing she had would be appropriate," Hinata told him carefully. "I'm wearing a wedding robe made specifically for our wedding. I will be using some of Gaara's mother's wedding headpiece." She didn't want anything of her mother's. It was for Hanabi to have. She loved her late mother, but this was a new family she was being accepted into.
"Is that appropriate?" Hiashi asked darkly.
"Very," Gaara answered from beside her. Hinata nearly forgot he was there while she was in the lock on her father.
"I am, of course, not implying you can not provide for her or that this wedding is dishonorable." Hiashi bowed his head with the fake submission.
Gaara said nothing. This fight was far from over. They had a few more hours to sit here.
The door to Gaara's office opened, and his stresses heightened once more. He looked up to see what he needed most. His pen was dropped, and sand shot out toward her, pulling her forward to the desk as she rounded it. Hinata smiled, opening her arms and stumbling forward as she was pulled.
Gaara buried himself in her, holding her tightly as she buried her fingers in his hair, brushing out the tangles he put in it with his rubbing and stressed tugs.
"The worst is over," Hinata kissed his temple. "Everyone's in their places. Father has had his fill of being overbearing for the night. Hanabi-chan will join us for lunch tomorrow."
Shukaku purred loudly. Gaara was more irritated than he was at the not-so-subtle insults from the elders, especially her father. Luckily, none of the ones that held distance from her would be coming to the new compound. It seemed they were there for appearances.
Shukaku growled every time Hiashi opened his mouth or dared look at her. As far as he was concerned, she was his to protect already, and having her put up with the hostility was unacceptable.
"Friends are coming. Naruto-kun is coming to see you." Hinata continued. A tanuki formed out of the sand that pulled her and curled itself to lay at her feet. "I'm sorry you two had to put up with all this."
"Shukaku is adamant that this is not your fault, and you have nothing to apologize for, and I agree," Gaara mumbled into her shoulder. "He's been murderous all day."
"They are my clan," Hinata explained. "They are here because of me. I take responsibility."
Shukaku jittered at her feet, showing its distaste. "If you were anyone else, I don't believe this would have been a civil day."
"I take that as a compliment," Hinata stepped back. The tanuki disappeared from her ankles to appear behind her leg and curl its face into her calves, willing her not to move farther. Gaara didn't release her at first. She uncurled herself to hold more loosely. "Let's sit down."
Gaara nodded reluctantly, releasing her as she led him to the couch. He sat down and tugged her securely in his lap to curl around her. She positioned her legs more comfortably out on the next couch cushion and laid her head on his shoulder. Shukaku followed like it would jump to her but instead dispersed and remade itself in her lap. Hinata set to work soothing the demon sand as well.
Her boys were miserable, and all she could do was comfort them the best she could. "This will all be over in a few days, and then I will always be right here."