Leaf nin traveled in silence as they brought Hinata back to her families compound. Hyuuga Hirashi met his daughter at the gates. He bowed thanks to the nin who escourted her home. Hinata did not look or speak to her father. "I know you just came home from a long journey but I feel it best that a physical examination be preformed so that we can give you any medical attention." Hinata turned in response. This was the first time in many years that her father walked with her outside of the compound.

Tsunade watched the two Hyuuga enter her office. "Hinata I'm glad to see that you returned safely."

"We do not know in what condition my daughter has returned Hokagesama." Hirashi's cold voice announced. "It is only through performing a physical that we can determine how much damage has occurred to her. A physical that I would like you to perform immediately." Tsunade narrowed her eyes at him.

"Alright. Shale we proceed to the hospital where the proper tools are located." She rose. Her fingers on the door handle, when she heard Hirashi speak again.

"I expect this exam and its results will be kept a secret." She ground her teeth.

"Of course."

Hinata felt so empty. Her mind wondered back to him. 'How could he toss me away like that? Especially after he said.'

"Hinata I need you to put on one of these gowns." Tsuade handed her the paper garment. "The exam shouldn't take too long. You can go into the room and change. When your ready just open the door for me."

"There is something in particular I would request you check…" Her fathers voice cut off as she shut the door. Shivers trailed her body on her way to open the door. It was so cold in the room. ­­­She opened the door. Tsuade stepped inside. She looked at the young woman before her for the first time. 'Dear Kami she looks so broken. Please please don't let it be what I think.'

"I need you to sit on the exam table." Hinata did what she was told. The large chested blond woman checked her pulse. Then her reflexes. "Are you experiencing any pain?" Her brown eyes stared at the pale girl who refused to look at her.

"No." The word sounded dry. Her voice used for the first time in three days. It is then that the hokage asked Hinata to lye down so that way she could perform the exam she dreaded. With the motion of a finger she knew.

"Hinata, what happened to you out in Suna. I already know that you were taken against your will. I know it might be painful but tell me what happened. What made you so sad." Silent tears that had been waiting so long fell from their perches.

"I don't understand how he could do that." Hinata's face in her hands. 'No please no the bastard.'

"Why why?" Tsuade began to rub her back. Trying to calm the blue haired girl.

"It's not your fault Hinata. What he did to you. None of it was your fault."

"How could he let them bring me back here. He didn't even put up a fight. And after he said." Her voice trailed off. Tsuade looked up in surprise. She raised Hinata's face to look in her eyes.

"Hinata what do you mean?"

"He said he loved me. He said that he wouldn't let them take me away."

"Hinata I have a very important question to ask you, and I want a truthful answer. The last test I preformed proved that you were no longer a virgin. Did he or anyone else force themselves on you?" The white eyed lass shook her head. "But you did have sex with him?"

"Yes." She looked away. "He was so gentle and uncertain."

'Gaara gentle and uncertain?'

"When he thought he hurt me he cried. He was trying so hard not to hurt me. I told him that it was just because I was a virgin. I heard Sakura and Ino talking about how it hurts when you loose it. When he said that he loved me at the end of it I thought my heart might burst. And after all that he just let them take me away. I still can't believe that. How could he do that?" She stared at the older woman who was still in shock at this new side to Gaara.

"He was probably just looking out for his people, since we threatened war. We didn't know then the circumstances of the abduction." A glint of hope passed through Hinata's eyes.

"So I can go back to Suna soon?" Her voice a mere whisper. Tsuade looked in her eyes conferming the reason for Hinata's behavior. The blond just nodded. Hinata hugged her.

"You can get changed now." She walked out the door to see Hirashi pacing.

"Well?"

"It is how you thought. Hinata is no longer a virgin but it wasn't…" He cut her off.

"It is as I thought. We must now come up with a new plan for Hinata's future and that of the clan. Thank you for performing the exam." He bowed slightly. "Hinata hurry up I have a meeting with the council that I need to attend." She stepped out. He grabbed her arm with a bruising force. They sped home. At the door Neji greeted them. Hirashi let go of his daughter. He proceeded down the hall. Neji was speaking to her yet she heard not a breath.

She began walking after her father. Neji startled yet curious followed. She stopped outside the meeting room and listened.

"So she has been tainted then." An elder woman spoke.

"The lord in the rain village will not want her now. He spoke of how only a pure young girl would be worthy of him."

"So do we disown her?" A male voice

"And be the most hated family in the village. Most know of her abduction and will refuse to do business with us for being so heartless." This voice seemed younger then the other woman's.

"We can not allow her to continue and be the heir. Is there not another lord that we can marry her off to in order to remove her from succession?" This came from her father.

"No but…" The deeper male voice began.

"What?" A chorus of voices chimed.

"Neji is the Hyuuga protégée despite not being of the main branch. We can arrange a marriage between the two of them and let him lead the family."

"That plan seems sound." Hirashi said. "Do you think he will agree?"

"He is a branch member he has no choice but to agree."

"Do the rest of you agree?"

"In these troubling circumstances yes."

"The rest of you?" He asked

"I" Several voices said.

Hinata looked over at her cousin's shocked and sad face. Hinata knew why he looked that way. His feelings for Tenten being obvious for the last two years, though she also knew he would say nothing of this to the council. She walked passed him to her room.

From the door way the doorway the room seemed cold and emptier then before. 'I thought my family might try to marry me off but never did I expect things like this. I hate them. I hate them all thinking that I am an embarrassment. I won't let them destroy Neji's life.' She turned in the doorway.

Naruto busted through the door to her office waking her. "Hey old woman." She growled at the blond boy.

"What is it Naruto?" She rubbed her temples.

"Hinata asked me to give you this note." He handed over the folded piece of paper to her. She took it.

"Is that all?"

"Yeah unless you have a new mission for me." His eyes sparkled.

"You are dismissed." He groaned and left her office. She unfolded the paper to find a letter.

Dear Hokagesama,

Today after our exam my family has decided that I am now tainted and even more unworthy to be heir. So they have come up with a new plan now that no man will want such a soiled thing as I. I am to marry Neji. I have always suspected that they might try to do something like this to me. But I cannot allow them to ruin Neji's life too. I intend to leave the village. Though I no not where to go. Know that I am not turning my back on kohona. I love this village but can no longer bear my fathers horrible ways. I ask that you do not send people after me but under stand if you must. Thank you for being so kind.

Hinata

Tsuade smiled at the letter.

888888888888888888888888888

Gaara stared out the window. The moon was waning. He had not done paper work in days. His chest still felt heavy. 'So go and take her back.' The voice said.

'And what start a war. Kill her family and friends. She would hate me by the time it was over. There is nothing I can do. I am just not meant to find happiness.'

'Would you like me to call forth the violins to play at this party I am forced to attend.' The demon asked.

'Belittle me all you wish I care not.'

'You take all the fun out of it.' With this he quieted. Gaara stared out at the sand for hours. Finally he turned to the bed. Slowly he took a step. He wanted to burry himself in her scent that remained in the sheets.

His heart pounded. Gaara turned green blue eyes locked on the illusion in front of him. "You aren't real." Still she came foreward. "Just another thing to torment me in my pain." Her kimono was midnight blue. Hair held up in a silver lily comb. He began to back away.

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" Her voice flitted to his ears. He shook. His head and nodded. He could smell vanilla on her skin. His fingers twitched wanting to reach out to her. "Then why didn't you resist them?"

"I was in shock and couldn't do anything." His voice seemed to tremble the way his body wanted to. His legs hit the edge. No where left to go he sat on the bed.

"Did you miss me while I was gone?"

"Yes. Terribly so." His throat dry, he licked his lips.

"I missed you too." Her arms circled his neck. He looked into to her eyes. She felt so warm. Her smile made his heart pound.

" You are real." His arms circled her waist pulling her close. "But how is it that you are here."

"I had to come back." He backed further onto the bed allowing her to climb on. He looked up into those shinning eyes. His lips whispered the one question that could destroy him.

"Why?"

"Because I love you." Her lips were soft. His joy boundless in that moment.

8888888888888888888888

Temari passed Kankuro in the hall. His smile made her stop.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"I am happy to say that I was able to fix your mistake."

"Mistake what mistake?"

"The one that stole our little brothers happiness." Temari looked shocked. "Or did you not realize that he was in love with her and she him?" Still she said nothing. "I heard how her family offered to let her marry him but you refused. I also heard that you thought the girl was being raped and didn't want to see her forced into that kind of life. So I understand. I'm just glad I found her. She looked a mess and smelled a bit bad, though at this point I think he would have over looked it."

"What do you mean?"

"She came back of her own will. Though I had her go to a bathhouse and buy a new kimono. I think that only appropriate for my new sister in law."

"Sister in law?"

"Well not officially yet. But I drafted up the papers. They can sign them in the morning. Right now they have better things to do." He enjoyed the shocked look on her face. With a chuckle he left.

The End