Hinata laughed as Akamaru splashed water on an irritated Kiba.

It had just been a few weeks since her first mission in suna and it had gone wonderfully well. While she waited on the kazekage, she traveled around Suna in her disguise enjoying the difference between Kohona and Suna.

Kohona was full of greenery and warmth while Suna was filled with sand and heat. If she was being honest Hinata had fallen in love with Suna's heat. It was comforting. Not to mention her feet being buried in the hot sand, it felt right.

"Hina!" a female voice called.

Hinata looked up to see Mirai followed by Kurenai Sensei walking towards them.

"ah, Kurenai sensei! Mirai Chan hello!" Hinata greeted.

"Hina!" Mirai cheered as she threw herself into Hinata's awaiting arms.

"Hello, beautiful girl."

"Hina! You're so pretty!" Mirai complimented.

"not as pretty as you Mirai."

"Hinata. It's been a long time since we've all been together. How about we all go to lunch?"

"That sounds great!" kiba shouted from the water.

"yes, lunch sounds delightful," Shino admitted.

"eh? Shino? When did you get here?" Kurenai asked

"I've been here this entire time!" shino stated in annoyance.

…..

Lunch was a joyous affair as they ate at a nearby BBQ restaurant. With it being owned by the amichi clan, many of the restaurants and food stalls had been built promptly allowing everyone to at least eat while they continued to restore the village.

As they ate there was a sudden commotion outside the restaurant door. The door burst open as a large party entered. Amongst them were many of their friends and comrades. In the center of the group was an elated-looking Naruto and Ino. Tenten and Sakura squealed with Ino excitedly.

"huh? I wonder what's going on?" kiba asked.

"Hinata? Are you alright?" Shino whispered next to her. While not many knew of her former crush on the whiskered blonde Shino had been one of her closest confidants.

"i… I don't know to be honest." She admitted. Once Naruto had rejected her and gotten with ino, she had crossed paths with him since.

"Hey! Sai! " kiba called seeing him in the crowd.

Sai made his way over to them with a smile.

"Hello everyone. Did you need something?"

"yeah, what's with all the fanfare?" kiba asked

"Oh! We are celebrating Naruto and Ino's engagement!"

Hinata felt as if the earth had frozen and gone still.

Did Sai say engagement? Naruto and Ino?

A wave of nausea hit her like a truck.

Naruto and Ino engaged? But it hadn't even been long since he rejected her! he flat out looked her in the eye and said no and not even a few weeks after that he was dating ino. Now they were engaged.

Hinata felt herself stand up but she didn't remember walking out of the restaurant, she didn't remember how her feet led her to the farthest part of town away from everyone and everything.

When she finally came to a stop, she could no longer stop the bile from rising from her throat. Her lunch came back up with a force.

Once she emptied her stomach, she leaned against a tree as shock filled her once again.

"engaged." She said aloud. Tears filled her eyes as a dream she once thought would be hers would never come to pass.

"I thought I was over him," she questioned aloud. wasn't she? Naruto would never be hers and she needed to move on. But that didn't mean it hurt any less. And it wasn't something that was going to happen overnight.

She had pined after him since they were children. An idealization like that doesn't just fade away overnight.

And even though it hurt, she had to wish both he and Ino happiness. As long as they were happy that's all that mattered.

The fluttering of wings caught Hinata's attention. Flying down to her was a messenger hawk, Suna's symbol engraved on its holder.

Hinata held her arm out as it landed, and took the message tied in a red ribbon.

As she opened the letter, her mark began to warm up.

"Woah. This must be from lord kazekage." She whispered as the sand fell from the letter.

When she opened it, she began to read the kazekage's elegant cursive.

Messenger of the leaf,

I am sending this letter in hope you are in good health. I will be honest and say I find your presence and your story intriguing. Once you left my office a few weeks ago I sent a request from Lady Tsunade for your file. I like to know who I am working with within such a close company. I must say your records impress me. The reason for this letter is for me to ask a simple request. I struggle with insomnia due to the tailed beast. The balm you gifted me was the only thing that has enabled me to sleep. If it is not inconvenient for you would you mind bringing some on your next mission?

Thank you kindly,

Your comrade Gaara of the sand.