Temari helped her into her wedding robes after kicking out her brother. She made her give a spin, which brought a grin to her face. "Perfect!"

"We should go find if Gaara is ready," Hinata lifted the skirt of her wedding robe to step.

"I don't think that is necessary," Matsuri noted from the doorway.

Hinata turned to her embarrassment. Gaara was in the door frame.

"What do you think!" Temari forced Hinata to spin again.

"Fitting for a wedding." Hinata blushed while Temari scowled. That was the best compliment they were going to get.

"Who did that to your hair?" Hinata noted his hair was combed back like they agreed not to do, but at least it had no gel, so it would be easy to fix. Gaara leaned his head down, allowing her to rough it into its usual place.

"Your cousin said it was inappropriate, so Kankuro did this. I refused the gel." Gaara explained as she finished. He stood back up, and she smiled.

"I rather you look like yourself. I'm marrying into your culture, not the other way around." Hinata smiled up at him.

"I am marrying you as well," Gaara noted.

"Hinata-chan?" Hanabi asked from behind Gaara.

"Yes?" Hinata asked.

"Kankuro-san," Hanabi added. "Says they're ready to start."

"Oh good," Temari passed the couple.

Gaara offered his hand to his bride, and she took it gladly.

Gaara noted the mixed feelings in the room. He didn't understand them all, but he felt her father's disapproval of their formation on the platform. Matsuri stood beside Hanabi, gripping her hand, smiling constantly. Had he ever seen her hair up?

Between him and Hinata was a higher pedestal they were to sit on. Hinata settled on her knees on it, with Temari's help to drape her skirt out of the way. He joined her, needing much less help with his simpler robes. The long Kage robes made this nothing.

Baki stood behind the pedestal, ready to hold the ceremony. It insulted the elders that he chose his sensei, but Baki would be leading the council before long anyway, so they could not stop the decision without public insult.

Hinata smiled at him, and any concerns about the preparations were forgotten. It wasn't important now, anyway. It could be dealt with later.

Baki started speaking, but Gaara largely ignored him. He hadn't been to many weddings, but he knew the idea. Unlike Hinata explained, there was no repeating or vowing at this wedding. Just actions.

They joined hands as Baki spoke as they were supposed to, and she thumbed over the back of his hands, leaving soft warmth. She was calm, her breathing was soft, and her pulse was even. He was worried that the presence of her family would stress her, but her eyes were calm and gentle as usual, much to his contentment.

Baki added a few lines to the short ceremony, short explanations to those not of the culture, and a few additives from the other culture. One such line was added as his sister and her cousin held out the wedding talismans. They explained the concept of the old carved necklaces placed during the ceremony to Neji while they prepared. It was an odd ritual Gaara never thought made sense, something to do with the binding of souls. Nothing they believed in anymore.

Baki continued his speech on the note of the home as he prompted Gaara to move.

Gaara leaned forward to press a kiss on Hinata's forehead. She closed her eyes until he sat back on his heels again. When they fluttered back open, they held a similar fog to the night before, and her cheeks grew color under the makeup. He was so focused on it. He almost flinched as her cousin draped the talisman over his neck.

Baki mentioned something about family, and she leaned forward. He lowered his head, so she wouldn't have to come to his full height. Hinata's painted lips pressed to his forehead, and he reveled in the soft feeling.

Hinata sat back. Temari placed the talisman, tucking it under her hair.

Baki finished the short speech that ended with. "Kazekage-sama, you may kiss your bride."

Hinata leaned up to meet him, and the room cheered. She pulled away too quickly. Gaara blinked at her smiling red face. They were now married.

The stressful part was over. Hinata clutched tightly to her husband's arm as people came up to congratulate them. Most villagers were eager to see their new members. People swirled around them disorientingly, but Gaara seemed fine, but his face was stuck in his 'figuring something out' face.

Neji was hiding red-rimmed eyes. Hanabi hugged him and leaned his face into her shoulder to hide his emotional weakness. Temari tapped Hinata's back, signaling what was next. They excused themselves to the middle of the room as the music started.

Hinata was glad she was not trying to spin around the room with him. The childhood fears of being judged by her elders swam back at the idea of the footsteps and timing. Gaara simply guided her to him and secured her there. Safe and warm.

"We are married," Gaara noted to her, confused.

"Yes." Hinata smiled.

"It doesn't feel different," Gaara commented.

"It does for me," Hinata told him honestly.

"What kind of difference have you noticed?" Gaara asked.

"It might not be so noticeable for you, but for me, it's like your coming-of-age birthday. You don't feel any older, but you might think, 'I am recognized differently now' after a while. It's like weight or, in this case, one lifted for me. After today, we just go back to what we have been doing. Well, leaving out the wedding planning and marriage treaty, but now I'm your wife, not just 'the failed Hyuga heiress.' I like this much better." Hinata giggled as his face twisted.

"I don't understand." Gaara voiced

"I think you might not feel anything like that. This isn't a big change for you. That's already come and gone." Hinata noted. "Our engagement."

Gaara was unsure. "Possibly."

"You went from not thinking about marriage to being engaged to a stranger. I was preparing for that. You hadn't." Hinata explained.

The hands on her sides tightened comfortably. "Now you are legally free of those who pawned you off."

"And the best part is, I get to stay with you," Hinata laid her head on his shoulder. She felt him stiffen. She wondered if it was what she said or her action.

Gaara curled his hand to her back. They were joined by the wedding party and then by those who wished to dance. Temari playfully argued with an annoyed and embarrassed Shikamaru.

Hanabi took Kankuro as a dance partner. His hands were too high and stiff. He was trying not to make a fool of himself. Hanabi, of course, was making it way more complicated than it needed to be and lead. Kankuro may have met his match. Hiashi bored a hole into him. Baki was with a woman she assumed was his wife. Tenten dragged her cousin to the floor. Neji danced properly and led much better than Hinata could teach. Hinata caught sight of Sakura and Naruto. Naruto didn't know how to dance, much to Sakura's annoyance. Sakura was currently scolding him for something, likely stepping on her as he stared at her feet.

Kiba noted that he wouldn't be dancing, but he was dragged to the floor by Ino, who showed him where his hands went. Kiba acted like he was touching a dead fish. Shino tucked his face farther into his high collar to hide his stony amusement.

Villagers were littered through the hall, dancing with their partners or watching. Hinata closed her eyes constantly.

"The piece in the middle of your headset is missing," Gaara commented.

Hinata lifted a hand from his chest to her forehead, where the piece was, and her face turned red. "She took it already?"

"It would seem so," Gaara noted, amused, with a flat face as only he could.

"She couldn't just that tradition go?" Hinata whimpered.

"Kankuro complained all morning that we didn't have 'stag night.'" Gaara scrunched his nose in disgust.

"I didn't think you would be interested in it." Hinata smiled.

"No," Gaara confirmed. "I find the idea uncomfortable."

Hinata nodded. "They have something like that for the bride too. Luckily, I didn't tell Temari-chan about it."

Gaara gave her a strange look as she giggled.

Neji took her next dance, and Hanabi took Gaara. Hinata gave her sister a warning look. She couldn't treat him like Kankuro. Hanabi properly took a respectable dancing stance and gave Hinata an 'I know better' look.

Neji waited halfway through the dance to bring up what was on his mind. "Did I just give you away?"

"It's not the same tradition but the same idea. I wouldn't want anyone else to give me away." Hinata hadn't told her father that part.

Neji's face curled, trying to hide the sudden emotion. Hinata tried to contain the smile as her eyes filled with tears too.

"Honeymoons are not traditions in Suna," Gaara explained to Hanabi. "And I would not be able to be away from my duties long."

"Aw." Hanabi pouted. "I was wondering why onee-chan didn't mention it."

Gaara felt much less comfortable with his wife's little sister, though she had no issue being near him. They kept at arm's length, dancing and conversing while sidestepping. She prodded him with meaningless questions.

"Did she give you your present yet?" Hanabi wondered.

"No, I believe that will be tomorrow. Hinata mentioned she regretted not being able to wrap it." Gaara mentioned.

Hanabi snorted. "Yeah, that would be difficult. She put a lot of work into it. You better like it or fake that you like it."

"I do not lie to her," Gaara noted with confusion.

Hanabi looked at him like he had said something stupid. "Did you at least tell her she looks beautiful today?"

"I told her she was dressed appropriately," Gaara answered honestly.

"I can't tell if you're a prick or clueless." Hanabi frowned.

"Likely both," Gaara added.

Hanabi laughed.