"Gaara, please try to sleep while I am gone." Hinata frowned as she prepared to leave the hotel room. Gaara couldn't help if he could or not, so he would not be affirmative. "And Shukaku-san, please let him sleep. I am safe."

'Safer with us.' Sand tightened, forming over her skin, falling with gravity like a solid object when it was finished shaping. Hinata lifted her wrist to look at the new object dangling there.

Shukaku was testing his limits. He would push her away. Neither of them wanted that. "He wants you to use it if you need us."

"I already have my ring," Hinata fidgeted with said ring.

"Yes, but always touch it when you're nervous," Gaara explained. Hinata's eyes lowered. Shame. Shame of what she saw as weakness. It grew back into place as they got closer to the village. This was why he didn't want her here. Gaara took her fidgeting hands, pulling them to him. "You can handle this without us, but he also wants to give you a way out if you wish to choose it."

Hinata leaned her head on his shoulder. "I thought all this was done."

Hanabi's rebellious streak died down. She learned from her lessons how to hold herself as a sophisticated lady. She held her head high but never too high to put her nose in the air. "There had been concern raised of your leading the compound in Suna." Hanabi started after a tight hug.

"That was brought up and settled when before the contract was signed, it wasn't even my idea" Hinata frowned in confusion.

"I know I added it, and it was called into question while the new compound was being changed from traditional. You know they don't like change or being challenged." Hanabi explained.

Hinata chewed her lip. She knew where this was all going. She would have to make them see sense, or the villages would be pulled into a fight over change with old men who don't know how to let go.

"They aren't happy you were called for this, but you know all this best, so I thought it would be best," Hanabi mumbled. "And I don't know what to do."

"I'll do my best," Hinata promised.

Hinata was getting tired of this. More irritated than nervous, she rubbed her temple, something she was starting to pick up from Gaara.

Hinata tried to keep the annoyance at their childish behavior out of her voice, but she couldn't help it. Suna's council at least saw reason when given evidence.

After an hour, Hinata found herself repeating. "This has nothing to do with helping the Hyuga to understand Suna or making them more one with its people." Hinata pressed. "If we didn't change the design, the walls would cave in. Sandstorms make the outer wall crumble on occasion. Houses fall in if they're not built properly. The materials in the original design were not common in Suna. It would be a long and difficult process to build and repair with odd materials and builders unfamiliar with them. These are not 'what if's,' these are things you live in the desert." They were still not listening. "I understand that you wish to show off, but your designs will mean nothing to Suna people if the structure falls in. Suna does not share our values. You will get much farther with sturdy walls than decorating once you have shown Suna you can manage the basics."

The speaker glared at her.

"And," Hinata lost her temper. "If you see me as unfit to lead them, remember that I am already handling a portion of the government, and if I am not leading them, I will still be watching over them as my duty as Lady of the village." Hinata watched their faces change with the realization. Others hardened as they had already thought of it and hoped she hadn't. "And I have experience with all your loopholes."

It was a threat.

Hinata had enough for one day. "I will return tomorrow to speak further."

Hinata came back to see Gaara awake with a frown. "Didn't you get any sleep?"

"Your pulse was high," Gaara told her.

Hinata huffed and held her wrist out. "Shukaku-san, take it off. I was frustrated. There is no reason to keep Gaara up to monitor me." The bracelet didn't move. "This is not okay. You are hurting him. I'm sure thinking about why my heart rate was up didn't help either of your stress levels. I was in no danger at this meeting. This monitor is ridiculous." She was trying to keep her frustration with Shukaku to a minimum, but it was clear that she was still irritated from her meeting, trying to keep it out of her tone but failing.

Hinata agreed to it.

Shukaku kept its immediate anger down as he felt protective, but he didn't want her angry with them either. "He wants it to stay on."

"I don't," Hinata snapped. The sand fell, retreating at a frightening speed. Gaara had never seen him give up so quickly.

Hinata reached for him. Gaara pulled her to stand between his legs, so he could bury his face and curl around. He was too tired and annoyed with the beast to find his motives.

Shukaku's fake paws pressed into his leg as it formed to stand, trying to also get attention too. She pet its head. "I'm not angry with you. The idea was fine, but how you used it was not okay." She whispered. Gaara seemed more affected by the lack of sleep now that he got to sleep regularly. "I think we could all use a nap."

Hinata lay awake after a quiet nap, not wanting to wake her husband by getting up. She was keeping busy by petting the sand creature that lightly flicked its tail. He swirled sand between her fingers in patterns, keeping her entertained.

Now that Gaara was asleep, she was much more concerned with Shukaku. Being away from home made him tense and protective. She was fine with alleviating that by letting him monitor her, but not at the cost of hurting Gaara.

Shukaku crawled closer, nudging her to get her attention. "I'm fine. I'm sorry for losing my temper with you." Hinata whispered. "I worry about you too, but you concern me when you use Gaara energy to its limits."

Shukaku's ears flattened, showing his remorse. He was making a show of it so that she would forgive him easier.

"If you promise to let him be and only alert him if I indicate something wrong. I will wear it tomorrow." Shukaku's ears popped up, and her wrist was encased in the sand again. "You promise?" He curled his sand nose into her hand. "Okay, then."