Love's Hiding Place

Trust

"Beautiful!" Sakura said as she twirled around in the dress that had just arrived for her. It was pink and red, her favorite colors, with white lace trimmings. She waltzed around the room; all the while pretending the dress was her dance partner as she hummed the tune that she knew would be played at her wedding.

"Sakura?"

Sakura continued dancing as her mother and father took seats in the parlor. Lady Haruno mother complimented her magnificent dress and Dr. Haruno criticized her excited movements.

"I hope you will become a better dancer by the day of the wedding," he stated laughing at the expense of his daughter who had stopped her dancing under his scrutiny. "All those high-born nobles will make jest of you. They'll say: 'look, she's so overjoyed that she stole the crown prince from right under our noses! The tactless girl! The low born princess!'"

Sakura frowned at her father and folded her dress, placing it back into the box it had arrived in.

"Darling, please don't upset her," Lady Haruno began, "she's already anxious about this whole ordeal."

"Yes, but – "

"Our daughter will soon be a princess! She will one day bare the heir to the throne of this great Kingdom!"

"Mummy!"

"Mebuki!" Sakura and her father screamed in tandem.

"That is highly inappropriate talk for a woman of your standing!" Sakura said.

"Please," her mother replied, "times are changing." She pointed to her daughter. "Look at you! Soon, you will be a princess!"

"Papa, please advice this woman to cease such talk," Sakura took a seat next to her father.

Dr. Haruno made a move to speak to his wife, but the woman shooed him away as if he were a simple housefly.

"My darling, how are you feeling?" Lady Haruno continued, "are you afraid?"

Sakura shook her head. She told her mother of the excitement she could barely contain. She even went as far as to profess her love for her prince in the presence of her mother and father. Her father coughed into his hand, attempting to drawn out such talk as his wife and daughter cooed over love, wedding plans, and the possibly future of children.

The women would have continued their girlish talk if a butler had not arrived to announce the arrival of Lady Ino, Sakura's closest friend. Ino greeted the Harunos with a curtsy. Right as the two adults exited the room, she began to squeal upon notice of the beautiful pure white gown her friend was holding.

"It's magnificent!" Ino screamed in delight, "I can not believe you of all people, will be wearing such a glorious gown!" Ino grabbed at the dress, but Sakura was able to react and waltz the dress away from the clutches of her friend.

"Do not be jealous, Ino," Sakura taunted playfully, "it is not becoming of a lady."

Ino rolled her eyes at her friend's attempt at insult. "Oh please, that entire gown will not be enough to cover that boulder of a feature you call a forehead. Hopefully, the Orients will be willing to send more fabric."

"What of you?" Sakura retorted, "I assume you will try to wear a purple gown at the extravaganza. But how will you? Can your household afford such extravagant hues?" (1)

"Of course. Everything I own is purple, lavender, violet," Ino began. "Oh. I should stop. I know a low noble like you would not even know such variations of purple even existed." Ino finished off the jab with a lady like giggle. Her friend was visibly shaken. She had won.

Sakura glared at her friend, wondering why she even still associated with the girl. She looked down at the ground, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Ino, felt her friends discomfort and made her way towards the girl.

"But…" she began, "all of that does not matter, because soon, you will be Princess Sakura." She gently pulled stray hairs from her friend's face. "You will be able to afford all of the purple and gold this whole kingdom has to offer."

Sakura smiled at her friend's ability to realize her worries. A lowborn girl, even if she was a noble, marrying a prince was unheard off. She knew that the other noble families spread demeaning and terrible gossip about her. However, all their meaningless words did not matter, because soon, she would be royalty.

Sakura smiled as she reassured herself and led her friend to the small table, calling a housemaid to bring tea.

"So have you heard what happened in the Kingdom of Sand?" Ino asked as the tea and biscuits arrived.

Sakura took a sip of her tea, appreciating the temperature of the drink. "Yes," she answered, "a pity what happened to Princess Hinata."

"Yes, apparently they plan to burn the man and a number of the guards in the small palace who assisted him in his crime at the stake in the capitol. Their bodies will burn in public as a warning to the people."

"As they should," Sakura said, "any attack upon the life of a royal should be punished with the most horrid of crimes. Those men's souls should not be allowed to rest in peace. Their souls shall burn with their bodies."

"I agree, but it makes you wonder…"

"What do you mean, Ino?

"Why would such a thing happen?"

Sakura put down her biscuits to better try to understand her friend. "Maybe this man was aiming for some type of monetary reward from another nation."

"Even so," Ino said, "things like that would never happen in our Kingdom. The royal family has been loved by the people of this nation for many a century. No one would ever dream of doing such a thing, no matter the award."

"Even so, I never imagined Hinata to be so brave," Ino said.

"What do you mean?"

"She saved the Crown Prince's life!" Ino said.

Sakura gave her friend a pointed look. "What bravery must one possess to be pushed into the way of a bullet as she was?"

Ino gasped, "Sakura!"

Sakura explained to Ino what others had been saying about the whole ordeal. Apparently, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Sand, when faced with death, sacrificed the life of his Princess by pushing her into the way of the bullet. The rumor had been spreading like wildfire.

"He can always remarry," Sakura, continued, "those of royalty are that way."

"I hope you are not referring to me as well."

Sakura was startled as her fiancé entered the room. She had not been informed of his arrival and for this, she was livid.

"What?" she stuttered, "Who let you in?"

"I am the Crown Prince," Prince Naruto said. He had arrived at Haruno manner with his knight, Lord Sasuke, only moments before.

Sakura screamed at her future husband for barging in on women's time as she motioned for a maid to hide her wedding gown. After truly scolding her future husband, all he could say to defend himself was, "I missed you."

Sakura blushed at this and motioned for a maid to bring more refreshments as they all took their seats.

The foursome exchanged polite pleasantries and they tasted the snacks they had been brought. Soon, the conversation became too boring and Sakura moved the attention to her best friend.

"So Ino," she began, "when will you find a man to marry?"

Ino laughed, "I am a free woman, Sakura_ a woman of my era."

Sakura giggled girlishly with her friend and shot a look at the silent knight in their presence. Her innocent smile turned into a mischievous grin.

"Remember when you believed yourself to be in love with our Lord Sasuke?" she asked.

"If my memory is correct," Naruto intervened, "you once fancied Sasuke, my love."

"I was a child, Naruto," Sakura answered.

"Yes, I was a child as well, Sakura," Ino said. She put down her tea and added, "and I don't believe Sasuke would find much enjoyment in my womanly charms."

Sasuke immediately shot a glare towards the golden haired young lady.

Naruto, completely oblivious to the darken mood, laughed at the two's interactions. "Yes! You are far too loud and prideful for his taste."

Clearing his throat, Sasuke added, "I do not fancy loose women. You should not run about the city during odd hours of the night and day. People talk."

Ino caught the jab and said, "yes. People do talk."

Sakura noticed the awkward aura that had settled over the party. "Um… Sasuke, how is the training going with the new knights? Are they giving you any trouble?"

Before Sasuke could answer, Ino asked, "yes, I'm sure you are truly finding happiness in your subordinates. Such nice, strong, young -."

Ino did not get to finish her statement before Sasuke cut her off.

"A word," he stated and yanked her off into the hallway, leaving Sakura and Naruto to wonder just what was going on.

"What do you think that was about?" Naruto asked with a mouth full of sweet dough.

Sakura told him she hadn't a clue and they continued their discussion about the kingdom of sand and the goings there.

"I pity the Hyuga Princess," Sakura said, "I hope she'll be able to make it to our wedding." She knew she only wanted to have the girl attend so she could show off the fact that it was she who earned Naruto's love in the end.

"Don't feel bad for Hinata," Naruto said, "she's strong, believe it or not. She can handle anything… what man wouldn't want a wife like that…?" he trailed off in thought. Sakura frowned at that statement. Naruto, noticing her discomfort, apologized immediately. He made claims to Sakura's strength as well, sheepishly grinning at his mistake. Sakura immediately decided to change the subject to something more enjoyable, such as herself.

Ino bite her lip in an attempt to muffle a scream as she was slammed into a wall.

:::::::::::::::::

"Mmf!"

"Shut up," Sasuke said. Memories of the past swam about in his head. Thoughts of Ino's passes at him and his subsequent dismissals of her advances played in his mind as he reached his hand up to the golden haired young lady's neck. Her skin was soft and white, untouched by the worker's troubles. In appearance, she was a lady through and through. Many a men found her stunning, beautiful even. However, he was incapable of such thoughts. This angered them both.

"If you continue to run about using this foul mouth of yours to speak ill of me, I will dispose of you," Sasuke said as he tightened the grip around her neck.

"Heathen! Sinner! We should have you jailed!" Ino screamed the moment she caught breath. She despised this man for he was not interested in her charms. He couldn't be. This angered her deeply.

Sasuke readied himself with a can of insults, but was unable to use any of them when a servant stumbled into the quarrel. An audible slap was heard and he gripped the side of his face.

"Deviant!" Ino screamed and ran off.

Sasuke was left with a heated face and the encroaching feeling of guilt as he realized that the maid had seen and might have heard everything. The skittish woman tried to escape the scene but tripped. Cursing to herself for her clumsiness, she barely noticed the hand that descended, offering her assistant. She looked up to the see the handsome knight.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. Before she could say her thanks, he grabbed her face and squeezed it as if it were a ball made to burst.

"You saw nothing." She could only nod.

:::::::::::::::::::

It had been two weeks since the morning the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Sand had woken from her unconscious state. During those weeks, she had been watched and cared for by the diligent staff of the royal family's holiday home. The behavior of her staff surprised the young princess. As a foreigner, she had not expected such care. However, the biggest surprise came each morning when the new husband of said princess would come into her resting chambers and sit on a chair, and seemingly watch her every move.

At first, Hinata had been lost for what to do. How should she have reacted to the blazing stare of her new husband? After a few days of complete silence, mostly due to her extreme fatigue, Hinata began speaking to her husband.

The first time she asked him a question, he swallowed deeply and his jaw clenched nervously. She shyly smiled at his reaction, and preceded to question him about the novel he had in his possession. She had noticed after a few days that he always brought a novel with him everyday he came to see her. She had previously wondered why he would do such a thing if he never read, but quickly realized that due to his insomnia, he properly read during the nights, while she slept. Normally, she would have been disturbed by this information, but after one risks her life for another, one ceases to care about such trivial things.

That was why, on this day, after two weeks of trying to avoid the stare of her husband, Hinata finally decided it was time to clear some things up.

"G-Gaara," she said, hoarse. She cleared her throat.

He said nothing in return and only continued looking into her grey eyes.

"Will you do me the favor, or accompanying me on my bedside?"

His large jade eyes widened at her request, his neck reddening. Without a word, he put the newest novel down, Hamlet, and made it over to her side. She motioned for him to take a seat and he did.

As Hinata's boldness grew, his faltered. No longer able to look at her in such close vicinity, he chooses to stare at her dainty hands instead.

"I'm happy," Hinata said after a long silence. "I'm happy you are alright."

He nodded and continued to look down.

"I heard from a maid that the men are set to be burned at the stake."

"That is correct," Gaara said, finally looking at his wife.

Hinata visibly grew sad. "It's a pity. I am alive. I am well_" with that statement she felt a sharp pain in her lower back and let out an audible "ah."

Gaara immediately reached for her, unaware of his actions. He pulled her close to him, their faces only centimeters apart.

He gently let her free and apologized. Hinata assured him of her wellness and continued.

"Is a long sentence not enough?" she asked.

"No." Gaara said.

"But_"

"They will burn for what they have done, and what they tried to do."

She could hear the anger in his voice and decided the battle was lost.

The disagreement between the two led to another moment of silence until, surprisingly, Gaara, who felt as though he had saddened the Crown Princess, spoke.

"I…" he said, finding it hard to begin.

"I'm sorry."

"You didn't_"

"Please let me finish," he said. Hinata smiled, she forgot how polite he had always been.

He swallowed hard, taken aback by her accepting gaze.

"I am sorry I attacked you verbally that evening. I had no right to do such a thing. Since we have met, you have done nothing but accept me, which is more than I can say for anyone in my life. You… gave me a chance. And…" He took a breath, "I betrayed that chance. I have treated you in a deplorable manner. I do not…" He looked away. "I don't deserve someone that is as kind as you. I do not deserve someone who would forgo their own wellbeing for me." He began to shake slightly, feeling his hold on his composure breaking.

"I don't_"

Before he could finish, his statement was cut short by the soft lips of another. Again, he felt his grip on his emotions fall. He kissed her back, pleading for her comfort as their combined temperatures rose. The tantalizing sensation of soft delicate hands in his hair sent delicious shivers throughout his entire body. Deprivation of human contact had led to his extreme sensitivity to the lightest of touches. They were close. Too close. He could feel her speedy beating of her heart and she his.

Their kiss was stopped abruptly when he increased his hold on her waist and she let out a loud sound of discomfort. He shot up from the bed and back away suddenly.

"I'm sorry!" he said, "I'm so sorry!"

"No," Hinata said. "You did nothing wrong. It was I who propositioned you."

He looked at her skeptically, inwardly berating himself for acting so rashly.

She smiled, an attempt to calm his fears. "W-women of our era sure are bold, don't you think?" She chuckled lightly, a pink hue washing graciously over her features.

She was beautiful. She inwardly attributed her boldness to the medicines they had administered to her.

"You cannot… We cannot… I- I cannot behave in such a manner to you!" he said.

"W-what do you mean?" she asked, "We are marred_"

"You are in love with another," he said. "I have already once felt what it would be like should I ever lose the only person… save for my mother… who has shown me… treated me like a human being. I would be named a liar if I made the claim that losing you is something I could bare. For that reason, I cannot force you to return my feelings. I would rather we continue as…"

"_Friends." Hinata finished his statement for him, feeling a pang of sadness and guilt. She had not missed his statement about possessing "feelings" for her. She had felt elated at the mention of such a thing. However, he quickly crushed her with his mention of returning to their former behaviors.

"Yes," He said. "You are the first friend I have ever had, will ever have. I do not… I cannot lose that… you. I'm afraid." His voice cracked.

"But I do not want to lose you, Gaara," Hinata said. Gaara stilled at this and gave the girl a surprised, yet slightly frightened look.

"You are I… We've been through quite a bit… Yes, I was in love with Naruto, however, I am mature enough to understand that he will never love me in return. Not the way I sought.
I want to continue to be with you. I want us to continue to be happy together. I want us to eat together. Laugh together. Sleep together," she said blushing.

"I want us to swim together, ride horses together, cook together," she said giggling at her memories of cooking with him. "I want to hold you. I want you to hold me. I want to kiss you and be there for you. I want you to trust me. I want to trust you. I… We…" lost for words, Hinata couldn't face him anymore. Not with the things she was saying. Looking down and twiddling her fingers, she finished.

"I do want us to be friends… but I also want us to be like a real husband and wife." she swallowed and Gaara's breath caught in his chest, his heart beating erratically.

"I want us to be lovers."

The shock was evident on Gaara's face. He could not believe the bold statement the young woman had just made. He truly could not believe such a thing. He would not!

"No!" He screamed. "It's… my fault… my fault… I did this to you! You're in pain now because I_" he said, feeling the onset of a horrid headache. This was too much for him. He couldn't handle it.

"No," Hinata said, "you did not do anything wrong."

"You could have died!" he continued, "because of me!"

"But I'm alive."

"You…" he couldn't understand her. Why was she behaving so irrationally? "You could have died... I was so afraid. Something worse could have happened. I thought you would never wake up. I thought…"

Hinata waited for him to finish, but when he failed to continue, instead choosing to grab at his head, she knew he was experiencing a migraine. He had seen him like this once_ the day they first came to the Kingdom of Sand. She waited for him to regain his composure before she asked him to please join her on the bed once more. After a few moments of contemplation, he did so.

Watching her eyes attentively, Gaara did notice when Hinata reached for his hand. He pulled away immediately out of reflex, however, the hurt look on her face caused him much guilt and he brought his hand back to her. He held his breath as she began to intertwine their fingers. He could hear her heart rate speed up and his as well. She was so warm, so inviting. She gave his hand a squeeze. He allowed her to exert the small force, wary of disappointing her.

Hinata hadn't noticed, but eventually, she began to softly sob. He was right. She could have died. Memories of her family and friends flooded into her mind as she realized how selfish she had been. If she had passed away so suddenly, as her mother did, how would that have affected her young sister, her cousin, and her father? They would have been devastated. She thought about the mistakes she had made and everything she had wanted to accomplish, but had not. She had failed. Her light sobbing turned quickly into miserable, unlady-like wails as her emotions got the best of her.

Without much thought, her new husband gently pulled her into his chest and with his free hand, apprehensively held her back with his light caresses. Hinata continues crying as her wails returned to sobs and soon sniffles. Gaara had initially been cold hen he first embraced her, but with the passing time, the warmth from his body engulfed her and she melted into his very being. Neither of the two noticed when she fell asleep in his arms.

Hinata was quite surprised when she finally woke up. Not only did the rising sun and the chirping of birds indicate a new day, but also it made her feel as though she had dreamed everything that had happened. She sat up in her bed; the feeling of a sore body informed her that all of the things she had experienced had in fact been real.

At that thought, she drew her hands to her lips, as the memory of kissing her husband returned to her. She was too busy worry about girly things to hear when the door to her chambers opened.

"Ah…." the person said, "I brought you… food."

She looked up to see a familiar jade eyed, red haired man standing at her door holding a tray of what seemed like an acceptable meal of toast and pouched eggs, with a glass of water. He brought the food over as a lady's maid sneakily watched from the open door, ready to relay the news to the rest of the staff.

Hinata thanked him as he set the meal for her, even going as far as to help her up on her pillows. She thanked him some more, blushing at his kindness. She could not believe he was treating her with such consideration. It made her so happy she could not control her happy grin.

"Did you make this?" she asked without much thought. The Crown Prince's face took on a slight shade of red at the question. He nodded lightly, looking down. She took a few bits of the eggs.

"It's lovely…" she said smiling warmly at him. "Thank you."

His mouth quirked up as he continued to look down.

After her meal, and many thanks, she asked him when they would be returning to the Kingdom capitol. He told her they would be returning as soon as she is able to handle the travel, since they actually stayed much too long. She nodded her head, accepting the answer, however wishing they could stay longer. She knew she wished to become a stronger person, but she was also afraid of returning to that horrid palace. Her husband was such a different person when he was not there. He seemed so much… lighter_ as if all his worries had evaporated.

An awkward silence ensued as she searched for the words to say. She decided, she could wait any longer and just said what she had wanted to say before this all happened.

"I once did truly like Naruto. I can even say I once loved him. However, I know that that we can never be together. I know now that my future is with you, and I would like a chance to build that future. " She swallowed hard, afraid of his rejection. She was pleasantly surprised.

Gaara, in his usual fashion, said nothing. But with the slight upturn of his mouth, she knew that he was pleased.

:::::::

The soft tumble of an incoming storm sounded outside of the Hyuga mansion as Lord Hiashi worked in his office. He had been unable to work to his best ability, plagued by the knowledge about his daughter. However, with the news of her improving condition, he was finally able to face his work.

As he sealed the last letter of the day, he thought over his demands. In the letter, he had informed his accomplices of the true identities of the Haruno family. he sought to expose them, and he knew that with their crimes brought to light, he could finally put his true plan into action.

Monarchies were quickly dissolving in Kingdoms not too far from his own. The only thing stopping the parliament and gentry from surpassing the royal family of the Kingdom of Leaves was the long standing admiration the people had for the imperial family. However, all of that would soon come to an end.

After thinking a bit, he sent for a valet to call in his visitor. Soon after, Yashamaru strolled into his office, with that untrustworthy smile upon his face.

"You called for me?"

Lord Hiashi sighed darkly. He worried about the man's motives, but he knew that for now, he would have to trust him.

Waywardgal: Two more chapters until the end of Act One! This was sort of a breather chapter. Brace yourselves…. Next chapter will be a doozy. I promised you guys fluff last time. This is fluff right?

As always, I adore you all and look forward to hearing your thoughts. It means a lot. See you in the next chapter. I'll try to not take 6 months to update.

(1.) Purple is was the color of royals.