Chapter 11: at last my love had come along
" well, that's all for today. I know that was drawn out." Tsunade explained to her guests. The kazekage sat across from her with his entourage. Behind her stood Kakashi, naruto, shikamru and shikaku nara. They had been in this meeting for five hours. To her surprise, naruto had kept a level of decorum and remained professional. However, she could see he was bursting at the seams to talk to Gaara.
" Well lord kazekage we've covered a lot of ground today. How about we all go out to dinner." Tsunade offered as they stood.
"My apologies Lady Tsunade but I have a prior engagement that I am already late for."
Gaara then looked over Tsunade's shoulder and said "Naruto my friend our reunion will have to wait until tomorrow."
And with that said Gaara disappeared in a puff of smoke.
" darn it gaara! Stop doing that!" temari shouted to no one.
…..
Hinata sat on the edge of the river bank, her feet in the water.
It had been told all over the village that she was now the next in line for the Hyuga branch family and that Hanabi was permanently the main branch heiress.
The split had hit her sister in the gut. She had tried to argue and even plead with their father to not go through with it. Hanabi didn't want to lead and she didn't want to be pitted against her sister politically. However, there was nothing neither sister could do. Hinata was now subservient to her younger sister. They would work together when needed but in a way, Hanabi would have the final say.
Being the soon-to-be branch head held a lot of responsibility for Hinata. She dared say that the branch family had more pressure and work than the main family. The branch family was broken into four parts. Those who served as cooking staff, those who served as bodyguards, and those who were full-time shinobi and maids.
Hinata was now training under her aunt on how to manage it all. Hinata had to make sure everyone followed the schedule that she created. She also had to make sure everyone received at least two days off, she needed to have backups just in case someone got sick. She also needed to know who was going on missions and who was returning. Something different from the main branch however was that the entire branch family ate together. They had dinner at the same time every day. This kept a mindset of unity and togetherness. If someone's schedule does not allow them to eat dinner at the set time, leftovers are left specifically for that person.
Then there were also the multiple meetings the main and branch families had together. It was more of the main branch talking at the branch family but her aunt was very outspoken.
Hinata rubbed her forehead where the new seal lay. Every last member had received a new mark. That was one good thing about the new transition, the branch members would never have to worry about the main family using it against them.
Hinata leaned with her knees on her elbows smiling softly as the fish approached her and then swam away However, her quiet time of meditation was interrupted when she felt a tickle on her hand.
Hinata looked down to see sand swirling around her. She turned expectantly to see Gaara. For those who didn't know him or were just observing him from a distance, one would think he was frowning but Hinata knew him well enough to see the barely there smile on his face.
"gaara kun." She greeted, as she stood. She didn't get a chance to move because Gaara had sent a swirl of sand around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Hinata.." he greeted. Before she knew it, Gaara was kissing her. their tongues battling for dominance.
When they broke their kiss he stared down at her.
"Does physical affection prove my love to you?" he questioned.
Hinata couldn't help but laugh.
"not in all cases Gaara kun, but in this case it does. How about we sit and talk?"
"I have a gift for you," he told her as they sat down.
"oh.. . gaara kun! A gift? You didn't have to buy me anything."
"but I wanted to."
Hinata blushed and smiled as she opened the small rectangular box he had given her. Her eyes widened when she looked at the gift.
It was a gold necklace with the symbol of a gourd on it. The exact shape and look of the gourd gaara carried.
"oh Gaara kun its beautiful."
" There is a friend of my mothers that I visit often. She has been guiding me through this process. She mentioned getting a gift would help the progress of our relationship."
"It's truly beautiful. Thank you so much gaara kun. Im sorry I don't have a gift for you," she said apologetically.
He smiled at her softly.
"There is no need for that. You have expressed your love for me in ways you don't even realize."
Hinata blushed and nodded as she touched the necklace sentimentally. She had never received such a cherished gift.
"oh! Are you hungry? I can make us some lunch?" Hinata questioned
"I would like that."
…
Hinata couldn't help but glance around as she led her boyfriend through the side entrance of the branch family home.
" is something wrong?" he asked, " you seem uneasy."
Hinata sighed as she took his hand and led him into the empty kitchen. With her head bowed she told Gaara the truth.
"I have been put in the branch family. It's a hard transition." She admitted.
"I have studied your clan. The branch family is in a way servants to the main. You were a main branch member correct? The former heiress?"
"Hai," Hinata told him as she put on an apron and began heating the rice. It wasn't that she had a problem with Gaara in her home, she just did not know where to take him for lunch. She didn't want to take him somewhere in the village because then he would be hounded and then people would start rumors about the two of them. The worst that could happen here was that her relatives would be noisy. And if they asked why he was here, she could simply say the Hokage asked her to escort him. It wasn't that she was ashamed, she just didn't want any unnecessary drama or disruptions.
A hand on her cheek caused Hinata to snap out of her reverie. She blushed as Gaara stood inches from her, his palm on her cheek.
"your status does not matter to me. I love you regardless."
"gaara kun.." Hinata said softly. She then turned away from him as the rice began to overboil.
"s-sorry. Just let me cook this!"
"would you allow me to help?" he asked.
"um.. you don't mind."
The couple stood side by side cooking in silence. Once the meal was finished, they moved their meal to the courtyard.
Despite the distinction between the two families, it was easier to share one big courtyard with the branch family on one side and the main family on the other a giant koi pond between. That was one thing Hinata couldn't complain about. She still had her garden and could at least have some form of peace.
"Where is your garden?" Gaara asked, breaking the silence.
"it's over there. Just behind that bush. My mother started it before I was born. She would take me out of her garden as much as she could before she got sick. When she died, I took over the maintenance for it. I am not as good as her, but I try my best."
"May I see it?" he asked.
"of course!"
It was then Hinata spent time showing Gaara her garden. She showed him the flowers, fruit, vegetables, and herbs that had grown by her hand.
"Your garden is beautiful. What happens to your flowers when the winter comes? Do you allow them to just die off?"
"Well, I have a hobby of pressing flowers. So, I take one of each flower, I dry it out and then I press them into a book. Hang on, I'll be right back."
….
Gaara went back to his meal as he waited for Hinata to return.
More, need more of her. Shukaku hissed need her by our side.
He sighed internally at the spirit.
Shukaku, you know that is not possible. She lives here in the leaf; we are in Suna. She cannot be in our presence all the time.
Make her! She's ours! Our mate, we lose her, or worse, what if scum Kurama takes her? Or fool of a male sniffing around what is ours! She ours, ours ours!
Gaara gritted his teeth and rubbed his temples. That was one of the problems with shukaku, he often wanted to have his way at the moment. The Tanuki had no idea of patience and doing things in a certain order.
However, he was grateful that the beast seemed to care for Hinata just as much as he did, maybe even more but he didn't think that was possible.
Deep down, though he also knew that they felt the same way in regards to trusting Hinata. At any moment they were waiting on her to betray them.
His worst nightmare was being covered in his newly found lover's blood.
"Excuse me? Lord kazekage?"
Gaara opened his eyes and looked up to see a man, a pre-teen girl, and an elder looking at him from across the koi pond.
He dusted himself off unnecessarily as he stood. From his quick assessment, he dared say the man was the clan leader. It was the aura of power the man gave off that rivaled Gaara's own.
"Hello, and you are?" Gaara questioned as he approached the small group.
"Hyuga Hiashi, leader of the hyuga. May I ask what my clan did to have you grace our home? I had no idea of your presence among us, I would have prepared a feast for you."
Before Gaara could respond, the door behind him slid open. Gaara turned to see Hinata stepping out with two thick books in her hand.
"Sorry, I took so long! I had to dig through boxes to find it! here it- "
She froze in her explanation as she surveyed the courtyard.
"Ah… father."
She then looked at Gaara and then back towards the man she called father. She swallowed hard before he watched her demeanor change. She stood straight and squared her shoulders. It was as if she was standing in front of the Hokage.
"Lord kazekage, this is my father Hiashi Hyuga, my sister Hanabi and my grandfather Haru. Everyone this is the kazekage. He has been visiting Kohona for some time. "
"Welcome to our home lord kazekage I hope my daughter has not been boring you." Hiashi bowed. Gaara however, noticed the annoyed and frustrated look he sent towards Hinata.
How dare he look at our mate like that! Shukaku roared in his head
"Thank you. However, Hinata has been nothing, but kind and she is an excellent shinobi. You as a father should be proud. Hinata you were going to escort me back to the Hokage tower, correct?"
"Yes. Absolutely lord kazekage. Excuse us, everyone. Have a good night."
…
Gaara walked silently next to Hinata as she led him toward the Hokage tower. However, he stopped her.
"Hinata, I am not ready to leave your side yet. I simply said that to get you away from your family. Has your father always looked at you with such disdain?"
"Yes. I am his disappointment." She told him with a bowed head. "that's truly why I was put in the branch family. Any excuse he could use to get me away from him? I have always been his failure, Hanabi is the daughter he truly wants. She will make an excellent heir. I however will be stuck here subservient to her."
Gaara felt something resonate within him as he listened to her words. Flashbacks of his childhood haunt his mind. He looks of pure hatred from his father, being ostracized from his siblings.
He understood the feeling well. It was at that moment, that he understood why Shukaku was so adamant about Hinata being closer to him.
He knew.
He knew of the abuse and the scrutiny. Shukaku roared in his head to confirm.
With gentle hands that were once used to kill, Gaara drew Hinata into his arms.
"I was trying so hard." She sobbed. "Nothing I did or have done is enough. I am never enough."
Let me out! I comfort her! Shukaku roared.
Only if you are calm shukaku! Gaara thought. The street we are on is deserted, but you must be calm for Hinata's sake.
I calm! I calm! Shukaku practically whined.
With that assurance, Gaara took a deep breath and lifted Hinata's chin. Her tear-filled eyes met his now glowing yellow ones. There was a point in time when Gaara would have never allowed shukaku out willingly. However, after years of many battles and restlessness, he managed to come to an understanding with the tanuki.
"Hinata, Shukaku wishes to speak with you. he will not harm you, but he has a desire to comfort you."
"Oh... o ..ok." she hiccupped trying to wipe away the tears. Gaara nodded and allowed the beast to take over.
….
Hinata's eyes widened at the transformation. Gaara's once turquoise eyes turned yellow, the white of his eyes now black.
"Mate." Shukaku greeted
"Shukaku.."
"Mate sad." Shukaku hissed.
It was then Hinata felt an overwhelming warmth come over her body. It was then she realized Shukaku had covered her with his chakra.
"yes, I am sad Shukaku but I think I will be ok… eventually."
"Lady of the sand, come with me? stay?" Shukaku whined
"oh, Shukaku, I'm here with you now."
Shukaku made a sound of annoyance and shook his head. The warmth of his chakra was quick to disappear and gaara reappeared.
"Hinata? Do you understand what Shukaku was asking of you?"
"Not really. was there something I missed?" Hinata questioned.
Gaara however shook his head.
"We can save that for a later time."
Hinata sighed.
"I apologize for my family. And I am sorry our lunch was ruined."
"I understand the complication of families. I recognized the look your father gave you. My father used to look at me the same way. "
The couple was silent until Hinata spoke.
"I have something to show you."
The journey outside the village didn't take long and the surprise on Gaara's face was worth the trouble she had through that evening.
"This… this is amazing. Did you grow these yourself?" He asked her
"I did with the help of a few genin. This is the plot of the land one of the former Hokage had given suna. I thought it would be a nice surprise for you."
"Thank you, Hinata.." Gaara told her gratefully. It was Hinata who kissed him this time.
He looked at her in surprise when they pulled back.
"is something wrong?"
"you kissed me first. I enjoyed it."
Hinata blushed.
"Hinata show me the best spot in the village to watch the sunset."
"I know the perfect spot."
