Another story done.

Thank you very much to the readers of this story out there…and some I even had the honor of being friends not in fanfiction but also in snapchat, instagram, and deviantart. I love you guys!

-o-o-o-

Hinata squinted at her husband who was already up and was fixing his gourd. She felt a light tinge of guilt, knowing that he could have finish that last night but she requested for him to stay by her side. Gaara was selfless that way. "Where have you been last night?" She found herself asking. When she woke up in the middle of the night, Gaara was not on the bed.

There was only his "sand eye".

Gaara continued fixing the straps. "I… talked to Matsuri." He said, slightly worried that it was not the greatest of news to bombard his pregnant wife when she just woke up. But he had contemplated about it the whole night and there was no way he was going to lie.

He heard Hinata gasped. "You… talked to Matsuri?"

"Yes."

"Where is she?"

Gaara stop fondling with the leather straps. "Do you trust me about this matter Hinata?" He asked, still not looking at her in the face. What happened last night was supposed to be just between him and Matsuri. He doesn't want to keep secrets from his wife but it was a very deep request.

Hinata said nothing for a moment as she let the surprising news sank. After a few seconds, she sighed. "I do."

"Thank you."

"But can you tell me what happened?"

Gaara turned his head towards his wife. "Let's just say that Matsuri is gone for good. She is alive and well but I don't think she is going to bother us anymore… or even see her."

Hinata blinked. What Gaara was saying makes her pretty confused. It doesn't make any sense at all. A few days ago, Suna has been on high alert because Matsuri was on the loose. And then out of nothing, Gaara was telling her that the woman who had tried to kill her was never ever going to bother her life. "You… let her go?"

"I did." Gaara answered seriously.

"Oh…did she make a promise? or anything… I mean… I don't understand—"

"Hinata, please trust me."

"I do trust you. I'm just…confused."

Gaara nodded. What Hinata was feeling was quite understandable. "I love you. I won't let anything harm you or our child. Do not be worried."

Hinata bit her lip. "I…I know… I love you too."

There was silence, and Gaara turned to resume what he was doing in order to let Hinata ponder over the news more in privacy. His wife will understand in time, he was sure of it. It was just because there are some things in life that needed to be let go without question.

"Gaara… are you sure about this?"

"I am."

"I trust your judgment… b-but you'll tell me your reasons in time am I right?" Hinata clasped her hands together, trying to contain her emotions. "Because I am just…confused."

"Yes. I will."

"Okay." She sighed, and slumped back on the bed. Gaara was not going to let anything happen to her and the baby—that she knew she could bet her life on. But still, the news was a little too confusing for her. She respected his decision though.

Gaara took in a lungful of air before finally stood and walked towards his wife, who to him looked rather pouty. Without a word, he placed a kiss on her forehead and touched her belly. Hinata strained her neck and looked at him with searching eyes.

"She's still…my student and I still care." He told her honestly. "Matsuri had been on my side as a comrade too long for me not to."

Hinata nodded. "I understand. In time… please explain it all to me in time."

The couple stayed close together for almost half an hour—just holding on to each other—before a knock on the door disturbed them from their private time. Kankuro's chakra signature could be felt outside of it and the sound of his voice followed. "Hey you two… you have visitors."

Husband and wife looked at each other, puzzled. They were not expecting company.

"Who?" Gaara asked and removed his arm around Hinata. Hinata silently helped herself up into a sitting position and started looking around for her morning robe in case Kankuro decided to barge in. She was only wearing her thin nightgown and it was embarrassing.

"Uhh… Uchiha Sasuke and a hot blonde chick who was flaunts her toned girl abs at me,"

::

Sasuke pointed at the scroll on top of the Kazekage's desk. "I am just on a mission to deliver that."

"I am asking you a favor." Gaara placed both of his elbows on top of his desk, not even giving the package from Konoha a second glance. At the moment, he and Uchiha are inside his office while Hinata and her blonde friend were catching up back at their house. "For my wife's sake."

"You are the husband. Deal with it."

"I believe that is what I am doing."

"I am not an errand dog." Sasuke stated matter of factly as he looked around the room, pretending to eye the decorations that were obviously Hinata's doing. The last time that he stepped inside this room, there were no lavender flowers in vases and no flowery…girly cushions that was a little out of place in a room with big metal cabinets and an air of masculinity.

"And I do not treat you as such." Gaara said in a more impassive note. "I am asking you as Hinata's husband."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows, his head slowly facing the ex-sand beast vessel. "Are you sick or something?" Sasuke asked as he frowned. If he remembered correctly, the Kazekage was not happy with him for associating with Hinata when she was still in her drugged state. They fought hard with the intention to kill the last time that they have seen each other. "Call a medic and get your head checked."

Gaara did not even blink to the harsh remark. "Will you do it Sasuke?"

"I am not your friend."

"But you are a friend to Hinata."

"Why not just kill her? I'll be willing to do it."

Gaara shook his head. "Naruto did not kill you in the past Uchiha. Just like you, she deserves another chance."

"But why ask me?"

"Because no shinobi of Suna must know. It is going to be convenient if she can have your protection in leaving. She is now listed in Suna's bingo book."

"You are helping the woman who almost killed your wife?" Sasuke asked again, just trying to make heads or tail on the whole thing. If he was in Gaara's position, he would just get rid of the criminal—it was that simple. Besides, if Hinata was his wife, no one could ever harm her and live to tell the tale.

"You almost killed all your friends but they still helped you."

A low growl escaped Sasuke's throat. "And everything keeps getting back on my case."

"I am just trying to make you see my point Uchiha. Besides, I want to live my life with Hinata in peace. Killing Matsuri—someone who is once loyal to me— is just going to bring a dark cloud over us. I don't want my marriage be tainted with a story of death."

"What if she harms Hinata again?"

"She won't. She will forget everything about Suna the moment she steps out of the boundaries."

-o-

Ino giggled when Hinata scrunched her nose while trying to taste something that came from the crystal bottle she was holding. "I am sure this will taste so much better if…if… my taste buds were not a little off."

"Really?" Ino smiled. "No use being polite… I could tell that it tastes horrible."

Hinata looked away with a guilty look. It came from Sakura after all.

Ino shrugged and raised the jar near her face. She gave it a jiggle. "Picked goods from Haruno Sakura. Jeez… I know Sakura can't cook but she just took this into another level. Told her many times but she just won't listen to me."

"Sakura-chan just needs practice. After all… if she sets her mind into something it usually ends well."

"Right." Ino brought the jar down and crossed her legs. They were inside a large living room with large glass windows. Hinata had mentioned that she was living with her husband and two siblings-in-law in this house. "By the way, you look good Hinata. Being pregnant makes you more beautiful."

"And fat." Hinata deadpanned and Ino laughed, shaking her long blonde hair. Hinata managed a smile, glad that she could talk to someone who knows her well. In times like this one, it makes her remember the village where she grew up… and the people who she considers family that lives in it. "How is everybody?"

"Good." Ino waved a hand. "Oh…and Shino started talking to me. I thought he only talks to you or Kiba but I am so wrong."

"He is a quiet person."

"That's why you two get along so well."

"I guess so…"

Ino shifted her weight on her seat, trying to find her comfortable spot. "You should see Sasuke." She watched as Hinata's expression turned from happy to somber. The blue haired woman looked away and sighed, easily giving out the clue that she wasn't so sure about the suggestion. "I mean… when we arrived, he was instantly whisked to see a private meeting with your husband while I was permitted to go around and look for you."

"I want to see him… but I do not know what to say." Hinata looked away and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. The last time that she saw Sasuke, it was inside her room back in Konoha and he kissed her. After replaying that scene inside her head a thousand times, she had an inkling as to why the Uchiha did that. She just refused to give it some more thought.

It was better that way.

Ino knew she was suggesting something so much more. It was because Ino was very well aware of Sasuke's feelings and Hinata's revelation that she could have fallen in love with the Uchiha if Gaara didn't came in time. Ino though, wanted the two to have closure. "Just be yourself… or back when you two were still close friends."

Hinata bit her lip. "I want us to be the way we once were… but you know Sasuke."

"Then make the first step. Come on, Sasuke cares for you."

"Ino-chan…"

The door suddenly creaked. When it opened, Gaara and Sasuke came in and both were wearing stoic faces. Ino and Hinata glanced at each other before standing up.

"Yamanaka. We have to get going." Sasuke ordered unceremoniously as his eyes subtly raked Hinata's swollen form. He gave her a smirk and crossed his arms. "You're fat."

"Yes I am." Hinata smiled as Gaara stopped by her side, putting an arm around her waist possessively—a gesture which she mentally giggled at. Gaara was just showing ownership because the Uchiha was in the room. "I'm glad to see you again Sasuke-kun…it's been almost a year."

Ino frowned. "Leaving? It's just been a few hours."

Sasuke pointed at the Kazekage. "We have to do something the Kazekage requested."

"And you've accepted?" Ino asked, a little surprised. It was not on the mission to do anything besides delivering an important scroll. It was not like Sasuke to do so.

"Questions later Yamanaka."

Hinata looked at her husband who exchanged nods with Sasuke. Both males were acting weird and she was curious. "A request?"

"Yes."

"About…?"

"Important matters that needed to be settled." Gaara gave his wife a reassuring squeeze. Hinata nodded in response and brought her attention back to the Uchiha who was adjusting the sheath of his katana. Ino was huffing but said nothing.

"We have to get going." Sasuke walked towards the door without even glancing at anyone except Ino, whom he pulled by the arm because the Yamanaka was obviously still contemplating if she was going to make it harder for him or not.

"Wait…Sasuke." Hinata called, hesitantly.

Sasuke stopped and Ino bumped onto his back with a slap.

"Can we talk… just a minute?"

-o-

Sasuke crossed his arms and leaned his back on the wall. He watched Hinata as she tried to sit down on the sofa with a frown on her face. With amusement, he watched the woman as she slowly lowered herself while holding to the arm rest for support.

Rolling his eyes, he detached himself from the wall and walked towards her. Without a word, he took both of her hands from the arm rest and placed a palm on her back, easing her down on the soft cushions.

"T-thank you." Hinata muttered.

"Now can you tell me what is it that you wanted to tell me? I have something more important to do Hinata. Ino is waiting for me outside."

"I'm sorry... I just want to talk."

Sasuke sighed.

Hinata clasped her hands together and placed it on top of her lap. "Sasuke-kun… I want you to be… the godfather of my baby."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows as his lips stretched. "You wanted an ex-criminal to be the godfather of your firstborn? The elder council is going to have a fit Hinata."

"I know… but I want it to be you."

"Where's Ino? Let's see if she could try to get inside that head of yours—"

"Please?"

Sasuke brought a thumb up and pressed a nerve between his eyes. "Why?"

"Because I know that you are going to make an excellent godfather Sasuke-kun…and my child is safer in this world with that connection."

"You gotta be kidding."

"I'm dead serious."

"Damn."

After the conversation, Sasuke left Hinata with a bewildered look still etched on his facial features. The woman must be joking—even though deep inside, he knew she never jokes. "What a pain… but I was never able to say no." Sasuke murmured as he made his way out of the house and to the harsh rays of the sun. A few meters away, he saw Ino waiting for him.

"Okay…" Ino uncrossed her slender arms when Sasuke was near hearing point. "Would you like to tell me what is happening Mr. Mysterious? I still want to stay a bit longer and chat with Hina-chan."

Sasuke smirked. "We have something to do."

"What is it?" Ino asked with an annoyed look. Sasuke was making no sense at all.

"Just follow me and you'll know."

Thirty minutes later, inside a cave that was a few miles from Suna but still inside its boundaries—Ino got her answer. She looked at Sasuke with a puzzled look on her face. "Who is … she?" Ino pointed at the woman with short brown hair who stared back.

"The one who made Hinata forget about her husband… and the one who almost killed her." Sasuke said simply as he gestured for Matsuri to move. "Gaara wants you to come with us. We'll bring you to Jade Country. From there, you can take a ship and go far from any village that is a part of the alliance."

Matsuri nodded and picked up a few things. She said nothing for there was nothing much to say. If Uchiha Sasuke wants to kill her on the way… then let it be. Pausing a bit to safely tucked a vial inside her pocket, Matsuri proceeded to the cave's exit.

Ino grew rigid. "What did you say?" A few seconds after, she mindlessly grabbed Matsuri's hair. "This was the woman who—"

Sasuke swiftly positioned himself between the two women. He pushed them apart and took Ino's hand. Matsuri was not fighting and Ino's nails were like claws. "This is no time to—"

"Let me at her and I am going to kick her ass—"

"Ino." Sasuke said a bit sternly.

Ino glared at him. "Why are you helping her?"

"I am not. I am helping Hinata."

"You don't make any sense. Is this what you and Gaara were talking about?"

"Yes."

Ino shook her head. Sasuke was holding her arm firmly so she tried prying it away. "Let me go. I am going to skin that woman until she looks like a skinless banana—"

Sasuke smirked. "Skinless banana?"

Ino blinked. Now that paused and think about what she said, it was a little silly.

"I'll explain everything on the way. Just help me first Ino." Sasuke let the woman go before facing the other one. Matsuri was looking impassive. "But before you can avail my help upon escorting you to the land of Jade, I want to make sure that you'll never step on this land again."

Matsuri patted her pocket. "I have a drug with me. It will make me forget my life as a Kunoichi. I don't need to be one anyway… I am now on the bingo book."

"A seal." Sasuke declared. "Aside from that, I want a seal inside your head. That those memories be locked away forever. Hinata managed to retrieve her memories so I want to make sure that you won't." He gave Ino a glance. "And that's where your help is needed Ino."

"I promise you I won't be gentle." Ino muttered. She mentally promised to dig the details out of Sasuke later.

Matsuri smiled. "A pain like that is going to be nothing. There are more pains in this life that are far more excruciating than physical ones." She then looked at Sasuke significantly. "Right Uchiha-san?"

-o-o-o-

Hinata grimaced as another pain racked her middle. It was like being stabbed by a thousand knives and she can do nothing about it. In front of her was her husband, frantically digging her closet for her thick jacket. The night was chilly and he doesn't want to bring her to the hospital with nothing but a thin night dress.

Groaning, she managed to glance at their wall clock. It was one forty-five in the morning.

"Here." Gaara swiftly placed the jacket around her, his face pale. "There's blood." He said as he noticed that his wife's legs were wet and red. It was staining the bed sheet.

Hinata gritted her teeth. "Just please bring me to the h-hospital."

Without a word, Gaara lifted her up. He was still naked from the top half and was just wearing thin pants. He kicked their door open and it slammed on the other side of the wall with a loud bang—surely waking up the rest of the building's occupants. Gaara was almost running, and she clung to him still in pain.

"Ahhh…" Hinata dug her nails on Gaara's neck, unable to help herself. She buried her face on his bare chest, trying to get her mind to close off the feeling of pain.

Kankuro and Temari suddenly appeared beside them, matching Gaara's pace as he ran.

"Holy shit." Kankuro cursed as he saw Hinata's red legs.

Temari gave Gaara a pat on the back of his head. She could tell that her little brother was in a panic mode. His eyes were almost white and his skin becoming grainy—a texture like that of sand. "I'll alert the hospital. Relax Gaara… its normal."

"She's bleeding."

"Normal for childbirth." Temari said before increasing her speed. A few seconds later, she was out of sight.

When Gaara stepped out of the house, sand formed under his feet like a flat platform. It raised him up and flew to the direction of the hospital. Behind them, Kankuro was running close by.

"I'm sorry… I can' do anything to ease the pain Hinata."

Hinata smiled, cold sweat glistening on her brow. "It's alright. Just be by my side okay? "

"I will."

-o-o-o-

Timeskip

-o-o-o-

Seven years later…

Sasuke waited as Ino rubbed her chin with a thumb, contemplating if she was going to buy anything worth bringing to Hinata's daughter, Miko. They were both the child's godparents and were on a mission far from Suna. However, they are going to pass the Sand village on their way back.

"Kimono or new sandals?" Ino tilted her head back to see his face. He shrugged in return and placed a hand on her shoulder. The Yamanaka smiled at him, knowing that she hated shopping for anything girly. "Come on, it's for your godchild."

"You are spoiling the girl."

Ino raised an eyebrow. "Oh are you sure about that? The last time I check, you're the one who bought Miko a live panda bear for her birthday." It was the young girl's fifth birthday and Sasuke decided to gift wrapped a live panda bear—young but still big—as a present.

Hinata almost fainted that day.

"The girl loves panda bears."

"Stuff toys dear… not live ones."

"But she liked it." Sasuke replied proudly. "And the expression on Gaara's face was priceless. At least I did not gave the child creepy bugs like Shino."

Ino rolled her eyes but let the conversation go. She returned her gaze back on the goods and decided to buy the kimono with butterfly decorations. There was no one behind the counter of the store so she tapped her fingers on the wood.

Moments later, a pregnant woman with a smile on her face emerged from a curtained entrance behind the counter. "Good morning. How may I help you?"

Ino and Sasuke both froze.

The woman—with long brown hair—gestured to the goods displayed behind the glass case. "I am the owner of this place. Would you like to buy anything?"

Ino was the first one to recover. "Ah…y-yes. I want the blue kimono with the butterflies."

"Okay. You are travelers?"

Ino nodded, still dumbstruck.

"I see."

"Congratulations." Ino said with an awkward smile as her eyes stopped on the woman's huge stomach. The woman smiled and fondly touched her belly. "Ah… I'm guessing you're in your final month?"

"Yes… and thank you." The woman replied as she opened the glass case and pulled out the kimono. "This is my second baby. My first child is with my husband."

"Ah…"

After they were able to purchase what they want, Ino and Sasuke left the shop, still surprised that they were able to encounter one of those few people who they thought they will never see again. Ino took Sasuke's hand on her own, knowing that her lover was thinking the same thing that was inside her mind.

"Brings back old memories." Sasuke murmured.

"Yeah…and you were crazy for Hinata back then." Ino teased and Sasuke grimaced. Deep inside, Ino knew that Sasuke's feelings have lessened but they never left. Once a person loves truly it never really leaves. It was just toned down and recycled into another kind of love.

Sasuke's feelings for her developed slowly. It was an agonizing ride but the long wait was worth it for their relationship was good and true. Sometimes, love doesn't mean that two people have to be madly in love with each other— there are times that you just have let things be and be patient.

You don't have to look for it… you let it find you.

"I have you now. I am not asking for anything else." Sasuke said as he held her hand firmly.

"I'm glad that Matsuri is able to find peace in life… I bet Gaara is going to be happy when he knows we saw his ex-apprentice."

"Hn."

"Oh great!" Ino suddenly slapped her forehead with a palm. "We have to go back to the store."

"Why?"

"We have to buy Shika and Tema's wedding present!"

-o-

Hinata entered the Kazekage's office with a basket on hand. She smiled at the sight of her daughter sitting on her husband's lap while doodling something on a piece of paper. Unlike her parents, Miko was a loud girl with a naughty streak.

Miko has a long red hair that was tied into two ponytails. Her heavily lidded white eyes squinted in concentration as she looked at the parchment, her pale skin a contrast against her father's reddish brown garment. "Hi." Hinata greeted. "Miko… you're not giving your dad a hard time are you?"

Gaara smiled and shrugged. "She won't let me work."

Miko raised her head up and smiled. "I want dad to see me draw."

"Miko… you know your dad has a lot of things to do. You don't want daddy to do overtime right?" Hinata asked her only daughter as she placed the basket on the desk. Walking around the table, she gave her husband a kiss on the forehead and then peered over her daughter's shoulder. "What are you drawing?"

"You and me and daddy."

"That's nice."

Gaara pulled his wife down until both of his girls were sitting on his lap. He wrapped a hand around Hinata's waist as he watched Miko play with her colored pencil. "What did you bring for lunch?" He asked, placing his chin on top of Miko's head.

Hinata smiled. "Tomatoes."

"Hm."

"Come on you love them."

"Because it reminds me of you."

Miko rolled her eyes. "Dad… everything reminds you of mom."

"Because I love you mother." Gaara replied and squeezed the little girl with his left arm. "Both of you."

-end-

AU: Thank you for reading!

Please check out my other stories.

-crazychannowupdatingforthelasttime.