Chapter 9: she is love and she is all I need

Emi smiled mischievously as she watched the kazekage look around her shop. There were assortments of dresses, jewelry, and tea. It was eight at night just as the sun was lowering and the dessert sands were cooling down.

"so lord kazekage, you've had this small and yet content smile on your face as soon as you walked into my shop. Care to share?"

The kazekage paused and glanced up at her, a look in his eyes that her husband once had for her.

"no. I think I'll keep this to myself for now."

And even as her lord continued to shop, she knew exactly what was on his mind.

Gaara of the sand, had fallen in love.

….

Hinata drank her tea in silence as she sat in Kurenai's living room.

"It's been so long since we have chatted Hinata, every time we were supposed to get together. You've given me a rain check. Mind telling me what's going on?" Kurenai asked as she brought in some tea cakes.

"I apologize Kurenai sensei. I have been very busy with missions the Hokage has been sending me on. I have been out of the village for weeks at a time."

"ah I see, what team has the Hokage grouped you with?" Kurenai questioned.

"I've been doing solo missions," Hinata told her confidently.

"wait? Solo missions? Did hiashi approve this?"

Hinata smiled. " he has no idea I've been going on solo missions. He wouldn't think the Hokage would do something like that. But alas she has. To be honest most of my missions have been traveling to nearby villages. Nothing crazy. And the battles I have fought have been against some strong foes but they have ended in victory. Plus I wear a disguise, so no one knows who I am."

"hmmm. Interesting but dangerous. Please be careful, so you've been taking missions. What else is new?"

It was then a blush that covered Hinata's face.

"well…um ..erm…I fell In love and had my first kiss!" she exclaimed.

"Wait! What! Who! What about Naruto? Tell me everything!."

Hinata laughed and found herself telling her former sensei everything she had experienced with Gaara. From their first meeting to her first kiss.

" Hinata wow, I didn't see this coming. To be honest I thought you would have been depressed with Naruto falling in love with someone else and all."

" to be honest I was." Hinata told her " I was depressed and hurt and yet at the same time I just wanted Naruto san to be happy. I didn't mean to run out on you all that day we were having dinner. I was just so shocked. I mean first I tell Naruto Kun my true feelings. Almost died for him twice and he rejected me. It had felt like a slap in the face for him to become engaged to ino and it felt like it was overnight. But in the end, I realized I was mourning a dream that would never come to pass and I am satisfied with that. As long as they are happy that's all that matters. It's time for me to focus on myself and my happiness."

"and are you happy?" Kurenai asked.

Hinata let out a deep sigh.

"I am. I feel useful and important. Especially with all the missions Lady tsunade has been giving me. Not to mention Gaara. In a way, I miss him already. I looked forward to being in his presence Kurenai sensei. We've had a couple of miscommunications but he's different. This is different from any feelings I have had for Naruto San. I mean I didn't even have the guts to tell him how I felt and when I did it was too late. But Gaara Kun is very…blunt. He says what's on his mind and I don't have to guess how he feels about me. We spent all night talking last week. It was.. amazing. I've never had a conversation with anyone like that, especially a guy. I mean not a guy im romantically involved in. He sees me for who I am. Gaara Kun doesn't see me as some weak soon-to-be disowned heiress. He sees me as an equal."

When Hinata looked up Kurenai Sensei had a deep frown on her face.

"Is something wrong?"

" I just don't want to see you with another broken heart Hinata. I mean I am glad that you are happy but I also want you to be careful. Love carries a great risk. I know that from experience."

A sadness came over her teacher's face. Hinata quickly grabbed her hand.

" Every second I was with Asuma, I knew I would never regret it. I loved him

deeply. But I lost him overnight Hinata. He was there one day and gone the next. So please just be careful who you choose to love. I am glad you are standing strong and not pining after Naruto. But the kazekage comes with a whole different brand of problems. Just be mindful. And yet … be brave. If you truly love him the way you just confessed to me. Then tell him and see where it leads. If all else fails, at least you tried.

….

It was late when Hinata returned home. Her father had expressed his distaste for her being away from home for so long, especially with the unexpected missions that were popping up. However, it didn't discourage her. She liked being away from the clan, it gave her a sense of freedom without worrying about the all-seeing eyes of her clan. Tomorrow she was having a formal meeting with her father and elders. She could only imagine what they would say or what they would do. Her destiny sat in their hands. Yet, Hinata wanted to choose her destiny. To make her own choice for what her life looked like.

She would have to be bold. But if all else failed she succumbed to her clan politics. She had to let Gaara know how she felt about him.

The fourth letter Hinata to Gaara:

Dear Gaara kun,

I must admit … I miss you. I know we just saw each other a few weeks ago but I miss your presence. The kiss we shared the last time we were together was my first kiss and it was enjoyable. When I am with you, life seems different. When you look at me, I see genuine interest in who I am. You are a strong and kind man Gaara Kun. I desire for us to continue to see each other if you like. I dare say, Gaara Kun, that my affection for you has turned into love. I love you gaara kun, I hope that you will return this same sentiment. But if not, that is fine as well, I am just glad I got to know you.

Yours truly Hinata

…..

The fifth letter Gaara to Hinata:

Dear Hinata,

Was our kiss not a confirmation of our love? I believe one does not just kiss people for no reason. I thought kissing was an expression of love. Was I mistaken? Or maybe you need my verbal confirmation? Verbally telling you face to face is hard for me I will be honest. I find myself not good with words when it comes to emotions. So maybe writing it will help confirm it for you. Since the day of our kiss, I have felt a deep contentment and satisfaction in my soul. And yet a deep longing for your presence. Shikaku has been surprisingly quiet. He often hums in contentment and that is because of you Hinata Hyuga, my lady of the sand. My affection, my contentment, and my love for you runs deep. Deeper than anything I have ever felt. And when I dream, I dream of you.

Yours truly,

Gaara

….

Hinata read and re-read the letter over and over again under the moonlight. Her lips tingled and a deep blush covered her face.

Gaara Kun… when can I see you again? I dream of you too. Swirling sands of caresses.