Disclaimer: I own none of the characters from Naruto/Boruto. I'm just back at it again with another couple no one else ships.
She moved smoothly between guests, being the most thorough host by balancing polite interactions and providing more refreshments. Most of the faces here had known her since she was a child, there were a few intimidating guests to tend to. Impressive war heroes and top-ranking shinobi, the Kage from the other villages were here attending her sister's wedding to Naruto Uzumaki.
Hanabi felt more at ease interacting with the elder Kages, the expectations from her clan and the refinement she had to learn perfectly suited this situation. There was just one Kage that made her socially nervous to engage with, the young Kazekage who wielded a poker face. When she was younger she had watched him go berserk during the Chuunin exam, and the destruction that followed was frightening. Though her opinions had changed over time with Naruto's explanations, she was fully confident that the Kazekage would never be an untamed threat again.
He stood off to the side of the dance floor, arms crossed and staring at the newlyweds with the slightest of smiles. Hanabi set her refreshment tray down on a table and stepped quietly to his side before exhaling a tired sigh. Gaara glanced at her from the corner of his eye, and she smiled.
"Friend of the bride or the groom?" she asked casually.
"I would consider the groom one of my closest friends," he paused, "not that I have a surplus of those."
"And the bride?"
He turned slightly towards her, his eyes scanning her thoughtfully, "I hope to become friends with her, as our schedules can allow."
"You must be parched standing out here in the sun, let me get you a drink!" Hanabi quickly returned to her refreshment tray and grabbed two tall glasses.
He hesitated slightly before clearing his throat, "Thank you. I am assuming you are Hinata's younger sister?"
She smiled as she sipped her drink, "You would be correct, what gave it away? The distinct Hyuuga eyes?" she batted her eyelashes playfully for emphasis.
Gaara managed a true smile, much to her surprise, "I've been watching everyone here, and I saw her protective older sister energy from all the way over here," he sipped, "even with you darting around speaking with everyone, she has been taking breaks to check in on you."
Hanabi let out a small laugh, "She has been having a great day, but she was so anxious before. I think she's been trying to make sure I'm not overextended. How did you know that was 'older sister energy'?"
It was his turn to let out a small laugh, "I could tell you a thing or two about protective older sisters. Mine is over there," he nodded across the yard to Temari engrossed in conversation with Shikamaru. As Hanabi found her, Temari made eye contact with her and then Gaara. Temari flashed a mischievous smile, and Gaara murmured "Oh no."
"What's wrong?"
"My sister is going to attempt to embarrass me in public, but I can do that myself." He quickly downed the rest of his drink, and Hanabi watched him quizzically. Gaara offered his hand, "I haven't seen you on the dance floor yet, may I have this dance?"
Hanabi blushed the signature Hyuuga tint and set their glasses down before taking his hand. "I'm surprised just a look from your sister forced you into action."
Gaara squinted at Temari, almost telepathically telling her to stay away, she received the message and leaned into Shikamaru's ear. He looked up and nodded approvingly, before guiding Temari to a different area to dance. Gaara relaxed and exhaled, "My sister knows I have been...shirking my duties, and seeks every opportunity to antagonize me about the women around me."
Hanabi felt her cheeks get hotter and hoped she didn't look like a tomato. She cleared her throat, "You must have several suitors set up as the Kazekage."
They shifted awkwardly for a moment, "My sister seems to believe that, and now that Naruto is married and her own wedding will be around the corner, I'm sure she will double her efforts to get me a wife."
She paused, "You don't sound very interested in getting married. Does your clan not have marriage expectations? My clan has used arranged marriages for a long time, this wedding being the most recent exception."
Gaara's eyes bored into her own, she swallowed as he peered into her soul. Did he see how fragile and naive she was from just a look? Could he tell she lacked any of the life experience her slightly older peers have already lived through?
"After seeing your sister choose her own destiny, do you think you could settle with a destiny chosen for you?"
Hanabi blinked, "I...I haven't thought too much about it. I've just been happy for my sister."
His eyes drifted over to his sister, "Maybe I should rephrase it. I feel a bit resentful that my sister can choose the man she wants to spend her life with, but because I am in my role, my wife must be chosen like some replaceable object out of a lineup."
She followed his gaze and saw Temari laughing with Shikamaru, "I don't think I could settle for an arranged marriage after seeing my sister experience the freedom to choose."
As the song came to an end, they slowly released their hold. "May we both have the destinies we choose."
Hanabi smiled at him one last time before returning to her duties. Gaara wore the tiniest smile for the rest of the evening, oblivious of his sister whispering to Kankuro.
A/N: Hi everyone! This fic will have time skips, I intend on having the romance begin during the Boruto era. I just want to flesh out more underutilized characters and make it believable. Thank you for reading!