Hinata felt out of place at the wedding celebration. She simply wasn't part of the 'group' anymore.

Hana's wedding was lovely, of course, but she wasn't really up to date with everyone. She knew some things from letters and such, but she would sit in with old friends and find she was alienated unintentionally by her lack of being there.

Gaara didn't understand her discomfort but held her hand. He only let go when she was asked to dance by her teammates. Hinata made a point not to leave too early so as not to be rude and made sure she thanked Hana for the invitation before they left.

"You did not seem to enjoy that," Gaara mentioned on the walk back.

"I think it was just reverse culture shock," Hinata explained. "I knew most of the people present. However, no longer living in the village has set a sort of wall between us. It's a feeling of discomfort that comes from others collectively knowing things and forgetting you don't. It's not anyone's fault. It's just a feeling I'm not fond of. You feel like you should be familiar because it's how everyone else is feeling, and it doesn't come, and it gives me goosebumps."

"I still don't understand." Gaara looked down with confusion.

"That's okay." Hinata laid her head on his arm as she walked.

Hinata woke to sand paws on her chest. Gaara was at the door speaking. It was barely morning. "She is still asleep. Can this wait?"

Hinata wrapped herself in the closest robe she could find and came behind him. "What is it, Gaara?" Hinata peered around him to see a Hyuga nin she didn't recognize.

"Hinata-sama, our Hyuga-sama, has requested your presence." The nin spouted.

"Father?" At this hour?

"No, Hanabi-sama." The nin explained. Hinata pulled Gaara back away from the door and informed him she would be ready in a few minutes.

Hinata yawned, tilting her head, feeling the hair she poorly tied up flop when she did. Hanabi didn't look much better. "What's wrong?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the Uchiha in private without father finding out. Sorry for the rude early morning awakening. I wanted the excuse of a sunset-watching morning like we had when we were really little." It was way earlier than that.

"I don't think my opinion of Uchiha-san should affect yours. Fair trial means fair on both sides, for and against him." Hinata retracted.

"Well, I don't think that is an issue, seeing as I think we are on the same side this time. I don't need convincing. I need a better case," Hanabi explained.

"Have you been told the truths of the Uchiha massacre?" Hinata was almost sure she was.

Hanabi nodded. "And it's actually what I think I am going to use against the rest of the Hyuga's opinion."

"How? Doesn't the actions of his clan show badly on his character?" It worked against him harshly, especially in the eyes of the Hyuga.

"Yes, but it also justifies many 'crimes' against the village, at least in my eyes." She sat up more properly as she made her point. "Let's take you and me. If you killed the clan in its entirety, sparing me. What would I be expected to do?"

Hinata was right. If there were even one left, they would be tasked out of duty to not only protect secrets but kill the traitor. Though Hinata knew that Sasuke's intentions were less out of duty and far more personal, they lined up enough to make an argument. "They may laugh at you."

"For what?" Hanabi frowned.

"For insinuating that I could kill any member of the Hyuga," Hinata explained.

"They will live with the analogy," Hanabi told her flatly.

"I resent being woken up for social calls," Gaara stated.

"She's worried about me getting caught up in Hyuga politics if they thought it was more than just spending time together." Hinata was sure his rude comment was stemming from irritation from somewhere else.

Hinata looked over to the quiet gourd. She was sure it was a show. It didn't fool her. "Are you two still…?" Gaara's glare told her what she needed to know..

"I think it is obvious we have a difference in opinion on how we handle you." Gaara voiced. "I would like to keep this argument to ourselves for the moment if you don't mind."

Hinata wasn't expecting his harshness. Gaara's face twitched away from her, regretting what he said or the way he said it. She fiddled with her fingers in her lap as she thought of what to do.

Hinata tried to be a peacekeeper between them because it was less harmful to his health, but had she made it worse? Did she become another reason for them to fight? Did she only make things worse? He had fewer episodes, but that was only part of the problem. Maybe her interference was detrimental.

Maybe she messed up again. She never seemed to get anything right, despite her intention.

Hinata flinched as she felt tears. She didn't want to cry in front of him after he snapped at her. It would only cause false guilt. Hinata bowed her head without goodbye in fear her voice would crack and headed to the door.

The door slammed close before she could get through it. Hinata turned. The tear fell with new ones born out of frustration. Both halted when she saw the look on Gaara's face.

Unguarded terror. Gaara was about to have a full episode. Sand that was purposely still now vibrated violently. Where did this come from?

"Don't leave me," Gaara begged between gasps that replaced his calm breathing.

Hinata pulled her hands to her chest and away from the door. "I wasn't. I was just going to give you some space."

"You're scared of me." Gaara retracted, clenching his fists.

"No!" Hinata opened her hands in front of her, stepping toward him. Gaara only stepped back further, and the sand in the air retracted violently, washing past her from the door.

Gaara hyperventilated and shook as Hinata approached, eventually running himself into the wall. "I don't understand." His muscles tensed so violently that he might hurt himself if he moved too quickly.

Hinata kept her panic down as she approached him. "Gaara, I wasn't going anywhere away. I was only going to give you the space I thought you wanted." She reached out to give the lightest touch to his chest with her fingertips, relieved he didn't flinch. "I'll never leave."

"You can't know that." Gaara demanded wearily.

In all the time that she stayed and made no indication of wanting to leave and all the reassuring and convincing she tried. Did he truly still fear she would turn on him? It hurt her so much, not because of his distrust in her, but that he was unable even to let himself trust her after all he had been through. You honestly can't blame someone for something like that.

Gaara softened under her touch. "Don't leave." Gaara reached out for her like he was afraid she would run.

Hinata flattened her hand on his shoulder, moving closer. "Never." Hinata was engulfed in his shivering chest. She molded to him, closing her eyes and sighing, laying a light kiss on his shoulder, hoping affection would calm him.

"I apologize." Gaara's voice was muffled.

"You don't need to tell me you need to fight your own battles with Shukaku-san," Hinata whispered.

"That's not… that's not it," Gaara said into her shoulder. "I don't."

"We can talk about it later," Hinata whispered.