Gaara: My dear author is sick at the moment so I'm taking over... She doesn't own Naruto, Kishimito-sama does... Also I believe that new bill in Japan is shit. Depriving anime especially violent ones means depriving the public of ME. okay.. Read on.

To Live And Love Once More

Chapter 2:Leaving

He was quiet. Her future husband, that is. He communicated with silent looks, small nods, and occasional hn's. He hadn't changed much, he still regarded everyone coldly. His own siblings, even. (She found out that the caramel haired nin was actually his brother, Kankuro.) But with Naruto, an occasional smile would flicker upon his marble like face breaking his mask. And then it would come back. Sadness would return and he would once again be wrapped in her suffocating embrace. He refused to show it but Hinata saw. Although only a glimmer of it. But still she saw. She found herself sneaking looks at her soon-to-be husband. She found herself longing to tangle her fingers into his crimson locks but then it would return. The haunting memory of his sadistic smile as blood rained down from all directions. The blood of the other ninja crushed by his sand. He had purposely left holes in the coffin of sand so that when he crushed the nin, blood would spurt out of it. Covering the green earth with scarlet, whilst he stood there with his ebony umbrella as though he were merely taking a stroll in the rain. Hinata would pinch herself and think of Kiba. Dear Kiba. A small drop left her eye as she remembered his sweet embrace. She found herself drawn to the Kazekage's eyes. Cool teal orbs. They were hard and cold but somewhere there was pain. Great overbearing pain.

He held her gaze until he found himself looking away due to moist eyes. Those white blank irises could never compare to her warm hazel eyes. A nice soothing chocolate on some days. A piercing green on others. Those creamy eyes that sparkled with joy and occasional mischief. He pressed his temples and stared at his hands. A small silver band resting on his left hand's ring finger glinted due to the sunlight. He hasn't taken it off. He couldn't bear too. A new wave of grief surged through him but he had no tears to cry. He had lost them when they found her half dead barely breathing. When she died in his arms. When the last of the dirt was piled upon her coffin. When she left his life for good... he could have easily followed her in death but his responsibilities kept him from bringing down the crushing weight of sand upon him. Akemi kept him from her. He couldn't bear to leave her alone. She had just turned one. She needed him more than ever. He nodded subconciously at Naruto who suggested something. His gaze fell upon the poor sickly creature in the corner. Disgust filled him. He was forced into this marriage. Damn, council... Can't make his own decisions anymore.

Hinata was to leave with him that afternoon. She was just given enough time to gather her belongings. He didn't care that he was limiting her time to say farewell. In fact, when she asked all he did was give her a blank stare and say, "You've known about this engagement for a month now, right? Surely that was enough time to say farewell..."

Now here she was walking side-by-side with Temari, who'd been sent to help her gather her belongings. Hinata walked with Temari in silence, she longed to ask Temari what happened to Fumiko.

"T-temari?" she stuttered.

"Ne?" Temari asked. Hinata looked at her hands.

"Umm G-Gaara-sama w-was m-married b-before, right?" Temari stopped in her tracks. Hinata took a deep breath and continued, "W-What happened to h-her?"

Temari looked at her then sighed. She pursed her lips.

"Hina-chan can we talk about this later? Oh and I'd like to visit Shikamaru... If that's okay with you..." she asked, trying to change the subject. Hinata nodded, her face red. She shouldn't have asked about Fumiko. Temari smiled weakly at her and turned towards the Nara residence.

Cool teal eyes eyed the embracing lovers. The sharp eyes followed the couple's happy gestures from inside the bar. His gaze lingered on the laughing brunette girl who held on to the large bug eyed boy with the shiny ebony hair... Gaara smiled a little. He looked at Lee and his new girlfriend. Good for Lee. It was about time for him to stop hanging with Gai-sensei. A large hand patted Gaara's back.

"Hey.." Gaara looked up to see chocolate brown eyes hidden by a messy mop of caramel hair. His nose was scrunched up and his usual lopsided grin was twisted into a small frown.

"Hey..." Gaara sipped his drink and coughed. Kankuro glanced at the the harsh gold liquid and grimaced. Kankuro patted Gaara's back. Kankuro wasn't wearing his usual Bunraku attire as a way of mourning. A small silver band caught Kankuro's eyes. He shook his head. Gaara still hadn't removed the ring. He had to. Gaara had to let go. He couldn't hold on to someone who would never come back.

"Gaara?"

"Hn..." Gaara sipped the drink again.

"Have you cried yet?" murmured Kankuro quietly. Gaara gave him a blank stare then turned and began to look at the wall once more. Kankuro sighed. Gaara had slipped during the funeral but that wasn't enough. He needed to grieve. He needed to let it all out. Oh Kami! Hinata better help him.

Hinata wrinkled her nose. He smelled like alchohol but he showed no signs of having been drinking. His teal eyes weren't glazed nor his movements hazy. Kankuro stood on his left and had his arm wrapped around a brunette girl with buns waist. Her doe brown eyes sparkled, her cheeks were flushed. Kankuro held her closely and her arms wrapped around his waist. He was tall compared to her. Tenten seemed content being held by Kankuro. It surprised Hinata. She didn't know these two were together. Last she heard was that Tenten was with Neji. But now it seems that she was with the Sabaku brother. Naruto came with his four months pregnant wife, Sakura. He stood next to his redheaded friend. Naruto patted his back and whispered something into his ear. Gaara nodded slowly and turned slowly to face him. He smiled at Sakura and congratulated them. Sakura laughed and hugged him.

"Good luck Gaara..." Gaara nodded. Hinata with the Sand Siblings then began their journey after many farewells. Hinata took one last look at her former village and the Hokage with his wife. Goodbye Konoha and hello Suna.

A/N: Gaara: Review. That is all.