Gaara pov

"And then I made a bunch of shadow clones and defeated him!" Naruto shouted enthusiastically as the two friends walked down the streets of Kohona. Gaara and Naruto were accompanied by Naruto's teammate Sakura and former sensei Kakashi. Gaara glanced beside him as his sister and brother snickered at Naruto's enthusiasm.

"Man, I am hungry! I am so excited we got to book this restaurant, Ino and I put our reservations in a while ago, but the wait list was insane. I'm just so happy everyone was able to gather together for this!"

Gaara nodded in response to his friend's excitement, but his mind wasn't present. His mind was on Hinata.

Yesterday they spent the whole day together, Hinata giving him a tour of the newly rebuilt village. The different add-ons and the new restaurants. It wasn't the village that had caught Gaara's attention but it was Hinata, she was just so beautiful that Gaara had no clue how to respond at times. He missed her already and so did shukaku.

"ah! Gaara! Here we are !" Naruto exclaimed as he gestured to the restaurant coming into view. A long line wrapped around the corner.

"There's a line," Kakashi observed.

"ah! Don't worry Kakashi sensei! I have reservations!" naruto smiled. He then skipped the line, gesturing for his guest to follow him, and went into the restaurant.

…

Gaara followed Naruto deeper into the restaurant as they came across what looked like private chambers.

Naruto smiled brightly as he flung the doors open and shouted " INO! MY BEAUTIFUL FIANCEE!"

The room it seemed was already full of people. Some he recognized and some he didn't. It was then a woman wearing a purple dress stomped towards Naruto a look of anger on her face.

"naruto you idiot! You're late!"

"but you still love me right?" naruto joked.

The woman's anger seemed to melt at the smile on Naruto's face.

"yes, I do. Now come on, we have people to greet! Introduce me to your guests!"

Naruto pulled the woman into his arms and smiled.

"Gaara! This is my beautiful fiancée ino! Ino this is gaara!"

Ino smiled warily, a look of distrust in her eyes as she stuck out her hand to shake his.

"hello, lord kazekage."

"Hello, it's nice to meet you. you make Naruto very happy." He told her.

Ino blushed at his compliment and smiled.

"Well, um let's get this show on the road !"

….

Meanwhile, Hinata sat in her office, scrolls overflowing that needed her signature. It was somewhat funny as she thought about it. As a kid, she used to think that the clan leader sat at their desk all day drinking tea and being grumpy all day but that was far from the truth. The branch family had supply forms that needed to be signed and then given to the main branch leader and then the main branch leader would send them to the hokage.

Paperwork had to be processed and some schedules had to be rewritten due to some of the branch kinsmen being pulled for missions.

She put her pen down as she glanced up at the clock, noticing the time.

"hmm, I should go check on dinner.."

It was then Hinata made her way to the branch family kitchen and was surprised to find the kitchen empty.

"huh? That's surprising... Hikaru?" she called to one of the nearby maids.

"yes hinata sama?" hokaru answred.

Hinata cringed at the formality. Hikaru was older than her and had a hand in raising her. It was Hinata who should be addressing her as such. When Himata brought up the subject, Hikaru smiled.

"I know you may think being put in the branch family is a disgrace but you have no idea how proud we are of you. Hinata sama you have already brought a great change by ridding us of the curse seal. Future generations will now never have to know the pain brought upon us by the curse seal. So please stand tall and proud as you lead us."

Blushing. Hinata accepted Hikaru's praise and then changed the subject.

"Have you seen Kenji? I noticed dinner wasn't made and the kitchen staff had been seen."

Hikaru shook her head.

"I haven't maybe checked his room?"

Hinata nodded and bid the women goodbye.

When she arrived at Kenji's bedroom door, she heard coughing coming from the other side.

"Kenji? Its Hinata. May I come in?"

"come – Achooo- in."

Her heart filled with empathy, as she saw her clansman laid up in his bed, tissues surrounding him.

"ah! Hinata sama! I am so sorry, I'm getting up right now." Kenji said as he tried to stand.

"no absolutely not! You are not feeling well. I want you to rest and I will take care of dinner."

"but h-how! The rest of the kitchen staff is on active duty!"

Hinata shook her head.

"no worries, I have it all under control. You rest and I will be back with something for you."

….

Two hours later, Hinata with Ko beside her found herself at the second most popular restaurant in the village.

The owner and chef was a friend of the Hyuga and was more than happy to fulfill her bulk order.

"Hello Lady Hinata!" the hostess greeted her.

"Hello! I have a bulk order for the Hyuga."

"of course! The owner wanted to speak with you before you picked it up. However, he is in the ballroom, if you don't mind going to see him."

"not at all."

Hinata and Ko went into the ballroom, her eyes widened as she took in the scene.

Sitting at tables full of food were all her comrades. Sitting at a table in the middle of them all were Naruto and Ino, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

Hinata swallowed hard and blinked multiple times so that tears wouldn't sting her eyes.

It was obvious what this was.

Naruto and Ino seemed to be having an engagement party and she hadn't been invited.

"lady Hinata we can-"

"No. I am not running away. let's just find –"

"Hinata?" a voice called.

Turning around she came face to face with Kiba.

"Hello, Kiba."

"Well, it's about time! Ino said you couldn't make it because of a clan meeting but it must have ended early right?"

Hinata was taken aback.

"clan meeting? No, I-"

Hinata stopped and forced a smile on her face.

"yes, I did have a clan meeting and it is over but I still have multiple things to do. I am just here to say hello and pick up an order."

With that said, Hinata hugged Kiba and went to find the owner.

Unfortunately, he was by the head table, talking animatedly with Naruto.

"Pardon me, Mr. Isamu?" she questioned.

Mr. Isamu turned and smiled when he saw her. Taking a bow as he spoke.

"Lady Hinata! My apologies for keeping you waiting! I had another event to work, and I wanted to talk to you personally about your order before I sent it off."

"Hinata Chan! You're here!" Naruto interrupted as he pulled her into a friendly hug. "I am so glad you could make it! Ino Chan said you had a clan meeting! But you were able to make it after all!"

Hinata's eye twitched as she smiled at Naruto.

"Unfortunately Naruto I am not able to stay, I am here for an order. I have many clan duties. However, I wish you all the happiness in the world!" she then bowed and turned to Mr. Isamu.

"Mr. Isamu, the Hyuga have much to do today. May we have our order?"

"Of course! My apologies! Follow me."

Hinata rushed out of the room, Ko on her heels.

….

Just as Hinata and Ko were leaving the restaurant, their bulk order being sealed into scrolls, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Hinata."

Turning, she was met with the sharp turquoise eyes of her lover.

"Gaara kun.." she greeted. "I-I didn't realize you were at this party."

"I got pulled away to talk with the Hokage. Are you not staying?"

Hinata bit her lip and sighed.

"I was not invited to this party. But please have a good time. Don't worry about me, Gaara Kun. I will be fine."

Gaara reached for Hinata's hand, and she allowed him to take it.

"you are hurt?"

Looking away, Hinata nodded.

"Naruto kun and Ino are happy. And now I am happy but… Ino lied about my presence. Instead of just inviting me, or just telling me she did feel comfortable with me there, she lied to everyone and told them I had a clan meeting and couldn't make it. I didn't want to embarrass her and I didn't want to make Naruto feel bad, so I just left it at that."

"you have been betrayed and lied to. You are allowed to feel angry." Gaara explained to her.

"but I don't want to feel angry Gaara Kun, I want to move on with my life. I-"

"Gaara? What are you doing? Naruto is looking for you!" A woman shouted from the doorway of the restaurant.

It was then Hinata recognized Gaara's older sister temari.

"you have to go Gaara kun. And so do I. Maybe we can have lunch or dinner before you leave."

And before he could say anything, Hinata was gone.