My Saving Grace

 

Disclaimer – We don’t own Naruto nor any character or setting there from and we’re not making any profit off these writings, it’s all just for fun







Warning – In this chapter…A lot of Gaara and what drives him. Also Hinata the fixer.





My Saving Grace.



 

Part 8





Gaara threw one of his glass sculptures against the wall of his workshop as he remembered what he'd seen outside Neji's house. How dare that Uchiha touch Neji? Neji belonged to him not some filthy, freaky haired Uchiha.



"Watch the temper little cousin," Sasori stepped into the workshop calmly and regarded the other redhead with cool amber eyes. "One might think you're upset." The thick soles of his steel toed boots crunched against the glass shards as Sasori worked further into the room. "What's this I've heard about you being a bad little boy?"



The younger man spun, his eyes a little wild as they glared at Sasori. "What are you doing here?"



"Well it seems as if someone found out that I'm actually related to you." Sasori made a grimace. "And so when you walk around with your head a mile up your own ass I'm sent to clean up the mess." Sasori walked right up to Gaara until their faces were very close together. "What the hell are you doing? Have you lost what little mind you had in the first place?"



"Neji is mine! Uchiha has no right to him!" Gaara's normally pale face turned red with fury.



Sasori reached out with his real arm and slammed Gaara against a wall. "First of all Neji is not a thing to claim, he's a person and he chooses who he wants to be with...He can't be owned. Second what the hell? Who hit you with a crazy stick? You didn't want him when you had him, grow up and back the fuck off! This isn't a game Gaara if you continue with this the one hurt will be you."



Gaara's hand scrambled at Sasori's wrist the nails digging in and drawing small beads of blood. "It's none of your business cousin! I have no need to listen to you or any of the other freaks you hang out with. I'll do as I please!"



Ignoring the pricks of pain, after all Deidara was rougher when he was in his 'playful' mood, and pressed Gaara tighter against the wall. "It becomes my business when you go after my friends. Neji is part of that gang of freaks now as you so kindly put it and as you know we protect our own. One last warning Gaara, back off!"



Gaara brought up his foot and shoved Sasori away from him and placed a hand on an iron shaping blade. "I do not take orders from you! Go back to your little blond pyromaniac and stay away from me, head buried in the sand as you've always done." The green eyes glittered with bitterness and the edge of madness.



"Fine, you're on your own then. Just remember when it all crumbles down that you are responsible for your own life, life becomes what you make it." Sasori had never been close to his distant cousin but he hated that this was what had become of him. "Think about why you're this obsessed with Neji and don't pull some crap about you loving him because we both know that would be a lie." Sasori gave Gaara a look of anger and pity and walked out of the workshop, he wondered when Gaara had gotten so lost.



Gaara snorted and turned back to his work. His cousin had never cared about what happened to him, he certainly hadn't been around when his father had...Gaara shook his head like a dog coming out of the water to banish that memory. He had no desire to dwell on that, instead he'd concentrate on the glass and shaping it to his will.



Out in Sasori's car Deidara winced at the sharp steps his lover took. It was obvious it hadn't gone well. The car door was slammed as the redhead got in and Deidara noticed the tiny scratches on his wrist and made a displeased growl before taking the hand in his and lapping at the marks. "My danna."



Sasori took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He shuddered a bit at the feeling of Dei's tongue on his scratches. "Let's go pet, I'm not the one who can help my cousin and believe me, he needs help." Sasori leaned over and kissed his beautiful pet deeply before driving off, silently thanking all the fates out there that he had Deidara by his side.



Deidara snuggled into the redhead. "How bad off is he danna? I know you don't like talking about your family so I won't ask but does he need like serious therapy and would he go to a shrink?"



"It's bad pet, bad but I don't think it's hopeless yet. He needs therapy, probably lots of it but I don't know how to get him to seek help. I sure as hell ain't the right person to convince him." Sasori kept one eye on the road and one on the delicious blond beside him.



Said blond nuzzled his danna's shoulder. They may play pretty rough but they did love each other deeply and he hated to see his danna's heart hurting. "I think I know who might be able to, un. But if she's related to who I think she is we'll have to keep it on the down low."



A red eyebrow rose. "Do tell pet." There was a slight note of intrigue in his monotone voice, noticeable only to those who knew him very well. If Deidara knew someone who could help his cousin then he would do all he could to make it happen.



"Well the Hyuga clan is pretty big so she may not be directly related to Neji but there's this lady who works with some of the guys who break safety rule and get their stupid asses in the severe burn ward. She's just what Gaara's doctor ordered I think. Super sweet, gentle, and quiet but she's got steel in that spine from what I've seen. And if she is close to Neji then she'll have a vested interest, un."



"Then let's go talk to this mystery lady of yours." Sasori hoped she would be willing to help, Gaara really needed it. "I think we should talk to her and see if she's willing to help before we mention it to any of the others. No need to open our mouths before we know if she'll agree."



Deidara nibbled lightly at Sasori's ear. "After that when we get home can we play with the new toy danna? Pleeeeease?"



"Hmm, we'll see." Sasori said coldly but a small smile tugged on the corner of his lips. He did love Deidara's eagerness when it came to their toy box.



The blond whispered in his lover's ear. "I'll even wear the special black leather for it."



"The chances of playtime later suddenly skyrocketed." Sasori's voice was smooth and thick like cream as he stepped on the gas.



Deidara hid his smirk. The black leather did it every time.

 

oo—oOo—oo

The long haired blond gestured wildly as he finished explaining the problem to Hinata. "So he's like missing a few bricks and we're hoping you might be able to convince him to go to someone who can help him find 'em."



Hinata Hyuga blinked as she tried to keep up with the blonds' motor mouth and decipher what he was saying really. "You want me to meet with him and convince him to see a therapist?" She had to repeat it just to make sure. "And he's been causing problems for Neji-nii?" She was use to hearing a lot of things but this took a bit to wrap her head around.



"Yeah. B&E, leaving a red vibrator on Neji's pillow, and just the general stalking. None of us can get through to him but we're like guys you know? Gentle persuasion isn't our style."



"Of course I'll try to help but don't expect too much. I've never met Gaara Sabaku after all." Hinata's pale eyes were filled with warmth. She didn't like the idea of anyone stalking her cousin/brother but she wanted to help too if she could.



Deidara just grinned at her. "If anyone can do it Hinata it's you. I'll see you around, good luck with the broody pants sand box, un!" The blond then bounced out of the room to go and snag his danna so they could get home and 'play'.



Hinata looked at the crumpled piece of paper Deidara had written Gaara's address on, his tiny scribble was barely readable and there seemed to be an exploding bird of some sort drawn in the corner. Deidara was like a whirlwind but Hinata couldn't help but like the blond. She got up from her chair and straightened her cream colored shirt, there was no time like the present to go visit Gaara she supposed...What was the worth he could do? At the most she would be kicked out for meddling. She grabbed her purse...eh bag where she seemed to carry her entire life and walked out of her office.

 

oo—oOo—oo

Gaara growled as he tried to shape a hawk out of molten white glass but it wouldn't co-operate. No matter what he did it refused to move into the wide shape of the hawk, instead wanting to stretch and lengthen. Was everything today trying to make his life difficult?



Panting slightly Hinata made her way to Gaara's workshop. She hadn't been able to find a parking space close by and as important as her bag was to her it was hell to tote around. She raised a delicate hand and knocked on the thick, sturdy door hoping that the man she'd come to see still was there.



Banging and a growl preceded the door being yanked open and the black smudged, smocked redheaded form of Gaara glaring at the delicately elegant woman he found on the other side. He glared into the dark lenses of her sunglasses, thoroughly put out at having been interrupted. "What?"



"Hi." Hinata smiled gently and held out a slender hand towards the redhead. "Are you Gaara Sabaku?" She was surprised by the flash of attraction she felt for the scowling redhead in the doorway but she ignored the feeling pointedly. This was a man who had serious problems according to Deidara, not to mention he was her cousin's ex boyfriend...yeah...she wouldn't go there. "Can I come in for a moment?"



He ignored the hand and turned to go the refrigerator several feel away from the furnace. "Hn, whatever." He grabbed a bottle of ice water and looked at the little lilac in front of him. "Thirsty?"



"Yes, thank you." She replied softly with another smile. Hinata looked around the workshop at all the works piled on shelves against the wall and even a few pieces on the floor. Every glass sculpture looked to have a life of its own, she had never seen anything like it. "This is amazing." She looked back at Gaara and the wonder she felt was evident in her voice.



He relaxed a bit when she complemented his art, the barest hint of a smile flirting on his lips. There wasn't much he truly cared about, not these days anyway, but his art was an exception. He walked over and handed her a bottle of water. "Thank you." He inspected her from the tips of her modestly heeled sandals to the French knot in her blue-black hair. This woman practically screamed breeding and wealth but beneath that he could sense a gentleness, something not suited for the back-stabbing world of wealthy parties and the hoi paloi of society. "What bring you to my door Ms...."



"Oh I'm sorry, how rude of me not to introduce myself." Once again she stretched out her hand. "I'm Hinata, Hinata Hyuga. I just thought we could talk for a bit if you have the time."



The jade green eyes narrowed and he once again ignored her extended hand. "Talk about what?"



Suspicion and wariness practically bled out from the redhead's every pore and Hinata could understand, she wasn't here to yell or attack him though. "How about my cousin? I want to hear your side of the story." Her voice was just as gentle as before as she pulled her hand back and took off her sleek sunglasses, placing them in her bag.



Gaara found himself caught by her eyes. They weren't quite like Neji's, while still completely Hyuga they weren't pure snow white, a slight tint of lavender colored them, making them unique even among the already unique clan. He broke the eye contact, his own gaze going to the failed hawk. "I made a mistake and lost him because of it but I'm trying to get him back. I need him."



"Why do you need him?" Hinata looked at him closely, she could see that Gaara was completely sincere in what he was saying. "What can he bring you that you can't have on your own? I've grown up with Neji and he's no saint and he's definitely not perfect."



The man swung back to look at her and was caught once again by those eyes. If it had been anyone else he'd have lied but he found that he just couldn't lie to this woman, to those soft questioning, nonjudgmental eyes. "I know he's not but...he's special. He's one of the only two people who were ever my friends, who stood by me and helped me. He and Naruto stood up for me and showed me how to stand up for myself. But now....now Naruto has his bastard and their baby and has no time for me and if I don't get Neji back...I'll be alone again." He finished in a whisper.



"It's sounds to me as if you need him more as a friend than a lover." Hinata's heart ached for the man in front of her. "If you hadn't made that mistake you spoke of, do you think you guys would still be together? And more importantly, would you be happy? She looked around until she found a low stool and she sat down on that, not caring about her clothes at all. "About Naruto, have you been in touch with him at all since he got his family? Imagine how his life has changed, how scary it must be. I think he could really use his friends too. Look around you, look at the fantastic gift you have. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to be in your life...Maybe you just need to let them."



His hands fisted on his thighs. "I don't know how." There was something incredibly lost and frightened in that sentence, as if it was spoken by a child left outside in the dark.



"Then I think your first step is to learn." Hinata reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "I believe you can do it. I think you should talk to someone about this, work through it because you are an amazing person Gaara. If you let me I want to be your friend. I won't let you end up alone."



A pale, scarred hand rose, trembling, to touch hers. Fear and hope warred in his gaze before he swallowed thickly. "I...I can try."



"That's all you need to do." Hinata took his hand and held it in between both her tiny, smooth ones. "Thank you so much for listening to me Gaara-san, I'm happy I got to meet you and I look forward to being your friend."



He absorbed the comfort her touch brought him and gave her one of his rare smiles. "No, thank you for being willing to hear me and for wanting to be my friend." He paused and bit his lip. "May I ask a favor of you?"



"Of course you can, what can I do for you." Hinata returned the smile warmly.



"Would you tell Neji...I'm sorry, for how I've been acting. I don't...I don't know if it's a good idea for me to see him in person yet. I don't know how I'd react and if I saw hate...I couldn't take it."



Hinata gave his hand another squeeze. "I promise I'll tell him and he doesn't hate you. It would take a lot more to get my stepbrother to hate one of his friends...you still are his friend Gaara. One day I really think you'll have that friendship back."



"Thank you." He returned the squeeze then stood up. "I hope you don't think I'm chasing you off but I'm afraid I need to get back to work...if you like you can come by tomorrow, after two pm. I usually finish by then."



"I understand, I don't want to keep you from your work." Hinata stood up from the stool. "I would love to come by tomorrow, I will see you then." She smiled and picked up her bag. "It was a pleasure meeting you Gaara-san." She pulled her sunglasses from her bag and placed them back on her nose as she walked to the exit.



He murmured softly as she slipped out the door. "Likewise." Before he got back to work he made a call to a psychiatrist his sister had suggested a few years ago to make an appointment. After that task was finished he put the failed hawk aside and began mixing sand and colors to create the glass for a new piece that was in his mind, a pale lavender swan.

 

oo—oOo—oo

Itachi was dangling Socrates' mouse in front of the cat, making the creature leap and flip in an attempt to seize the stuffed thing when the doorbell rang.



Hinata stood in front of her second door of the day waiting. She could hardly believe that her cousin had moved in with someone, it was very unlike Neji who almost always had to have complete control. The door open and Hinata looked up to meet dark reddish, brown eyes.



Itachi blinked at the young woman there and narrowed his eyes as he tried to place her. It didn't take long. "Come in Ms. Hyuga. Neji's gone to the store for some chocolate ganach cake but he should be back soon."



"Thank you Mr. Uchiha." Hinata stepped inside and held out her hand. "And please call me Hinata, I've heard so much about you from Neji-nii." Seeing Itachi Uchiha up close like this she could definitely understand Neji's attraction, the man was gorgeous, there was no doubt about that but more than that he had a presence about him, commanding and almost scary in its intensity. Being loved by someone like him must be something out of the ordinary and for a mili second she almost envied her cousin for gaining such a man's attention.



Itachi smiled at the woman and waved her forward into the house. "If I'm to call you Hinata then please, do call me Itachi. Neji is full of stories about his little sisters and when he speaks about you he practically bleeds pride." He waited until she was seated on the couch. "Is there anything I can get you? Something to drink or perhaps some cookies that I've managed to hide from Neji?"



Hinata smiled at that. "Where did you manage to hide them? Neji seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to sweets in the house. He and Hanabi actually fought over a cupcake once." Hinata straightened out a few wrinkles on her skirt. "And please don't go through any trouble on my account. As much as I've wanted to meet you and see Neji-nii I'm really only here to deliver a message to him. You have to come to the compound for dinner soon, father is waiting anxiously to meet his new son in law."



The Uchiha didn't even bat an eyelash at that comment, a telling lack of reaction. He sat down and was immediately pounced upon by Socrates, who got pet until he was a lump of purring bliss in Itachi's lap. "I'd like that. You said you had to deliver a message? I hope nothing's wrong."



"Oh no, nothing is wrong at all, I actually think they're on their way to become right again." Hinata smiled at the purring furball in Itachi's lap, the cat had never been very fond of her, she had no idea why.



"I'm home." Neji's voice rang out through the house and the door clicked shut as he closed it behind him and toed off his shoes, holding the prize of the chocolate ganach cake close to his chest.



Itachi turned his head to look over his shoulder at Neji as the other man came into view. His lips quirked at the way he held the cake. "Welcome home. We've got company."



"So I see." Neji walked into the room and placed the box with the cake gingerly on the coffee table, then he leaned over to place a kiss on the corner of Itachi's mouth. Neji straightened and walked over to Hinata to give her a hug. "What brings you here Hina-chan, not that I'm not happy to see you."



Hinata smiled and hugged back. "I'm here as a messenger today Neji-nii."



Neji raised an eyebrow in curiosity and sat down next to Itachi.



"I went to see Gaara today." Hinata noticed how both Neji and Itachi stiffened at the redhead's name but she plowed on. "He's sorry for how he behaved and he won't bother you again. He's so lost Neji-nii and he didn't mean anything bad by his actions...though they did go too far. He saw Naruto start a family with Sasuke and you moving on too. You and Naruto were his only friends and he's so scared to end up alone. He had agreed to see a therapist and I hope that someday he can be your friend again."



Neji stayed quiet for a long time, looking down on his hands that were curled in his lap. "I'm glad he's seeking help and I hope he'll find what he needs." He lifted his eyes and looked at Hinata. "He is my friend but I can't be there for him, not right now. He scared me Hina-chan."



Itachi literally scooped Neji up and moved him into his lap so he could hold him, could wrap himself around the long haired man protectively. He met the lavender tinged Hyuga eyes of Neji's cousin, his own clearly displaying the message that if Neji didn't want to see Gaara, the redhead would have to go through Itachi to do so, an endeavor that wasn't likely to be successful.



Neji leaned against Itachi, soaking up the love and comfort he felt from the other.



"I understand and I'm not asking you to pretend like none of this happened and be his best friend right away. What Gaara did was wrong." Hinata's eyes were soft and filled with understanding. "I'm just saying that he has realized what he did and he is seeking help."



Neji nodded, he understood that and he didn't hate Gaara, it would be a long time though, if ever before they could get back the friendship they'd once had.



Itachi tilted his head as a thought occurred to him. "How did you even know where to find Sabaku?"



"Hmm?" Hinata was a little bit sidetracked with how much Neji allowed himself to lean on Itachi, he had always been a I can handle everything on my own sort of guy and seeing him open up to someone like this was something she never thought she would see, she liked it. "Oh Deidara came to see me at work. Apparently Sasori had talked to Gaara and it hadn't gone over well. I just went there and offered to listen without prejudice." She was silent for a while. "Deidara really is much smarter than he makes himself out to be."



Itachi's brows rose in mild surprise. "You know Dei," he paused as Neji poked him lightly in the side, "That's right, Neji mentioned you worked at the same pyrotechnics company that Deidara moonlights for." His lips lifted a bit at the thought of Deidara and Sasori seeking help from this delicate woman. There was just something amusing about the mental image.



"I do yes. Deidara is very good at what he does though he can get a bit...overenthusiastic at times." Hinata smiled sweetly but her lavender tinted eyes glittered.



Neji's smile was much wider as he leaned his head on Itachi's shoulder, lacing the fingers of his left hand loosely together with Itachi's. "Yes I can imagine that.



Itachi snorted elegantly. "He follows every safety precaution but he is most definitely a registered pyro, he's just a smart one."



"I've noticed slight tendencies in that direction yes." Hinata answered with amusement. "I should get going, I only came to deliver the message. I was serious before though." She turned her eyes to Neji. "Bring Itachi over for dinner, father really wants to meet the newest addition to the clan...He's afraid you're ashamed of him."



"We'll come some day." Neji replied with a suppressed sigh. He loved his uncle, the man had raised him as his own child and shown him nothing but support and love but he still wasn't the easiest person to deal with. The brunet noticed Hinata's raised eyebrow. "I promise."



Itachi gave his lover's cousin a smile. "We will. I'm interested in meeting the man who raised my sexy nerd."

Neji flushed but smiled, it was true after all, he was a nerd. The sexy part he couldn't really see but maybe Itachi's sensuality rubbed off on him when they were together.



"I look forward to seeing you at the compound then." Hinata shook hands with Itachi and gave her cousin a quick hug before she said her goodbyes and left.



As the door closed, Itachi held Neji closer. "Are you okay snowflake?"



"I think so." Neji nuzzled closer. "Am I bad for not being able to just let it go? I'm happy that Gaara is getting help and that I won't have to look over my shoulder anymore but still...Something was destroyed and I don't know how to make it whole again."



Itachi pressed a kiss to Neji's temple. "There's nothing bad about you baby. He betrayed your trust, multiple times, and scared you. You're more than justified in being wary."



Neji raised his head until his lips could reach Itachi's, the other never failed to make him feel better. "Thank you." He said simply and slipped off Itachi's lap, he walked out to the kitchen to grab plates and forks coming back with a small smile on his face. "Now we shouldn't keep this cake wait any longer now should we?"



Itachi laughed at the other man's eagerness to dive into the decadent cake and let Neji soothe himself with the chocolate. A yawn suddenly overcame him much to his concernment. He'd barely done anything today, why would he be yawning?



Neji paused in licking the spoon and and turned concerned eyes on Itachi. "You tired?" A tight knot started to form in Neji's stomach. Itachi was even paler then usual these days and even Neji could see that his lover had lost weight. When he caressed him Neji could clearly feel the ribs beneath his fingers. What if Itachi was sick again? Neji knew that he couldn't lose Itachi, not now that he had found him.



The Uchiha nodded. "Somewhat. I'm not sure why though." He tried to conceal his worry behind a bit of a tease, it was just a little fatigue and weight loss after all and no other symptoms he'd had before had reared their ugly heads. "Maybe I should stop watching you sleep in favor of dropping off myself."



Pale eyes widened. "You watch me sleep?" The knot of worry was still there but Neji smiled for Itachi all the same, he hoped that it was as Itachi said and that he was just imagining things. Still, Neji promised himself that he would keep a closer eye on his lover from now on. "Why don't we call it an early night tonight? I wouldn't say no to some bedtime with you."



Itachi's eyes glimmered in good humor. "Alright." He leaned in to brush his lips over Neji's briefly before murmuring. "And of course I watch you sleep, you're just so sweet and sexy I can't help it."

Neji hummed under his breath softly as his cheeks colored a pale pink. He didn’t really know how to respond to the sexy comment but he was glad that Itachi desired him. He got up from the couch to take the plates and the leftover cake to the kitchen before Socrates stuffed himself and got sick from the chocolate. “Then let’s go to bed Phoenix.” Neji tossed his lover a smile over his shoulder before he left the room. He rinsed the plates off and placed them in the dish washer and then he walked towards the bedroom, trying to push the worry away and just enjoy his time with Itachi.



Itachi rose from the couch and followed his lover into the bedroom, stripping down to his boxers and snuggling up to the long haired man. He nuzzled Neji's neck. "Mmm goodnight Neji." His body was so exhausted that he was asleep even before Neji could reply.



To be continued…

 

AN – Preview for next chapter; things take a turn for the worse. Itachi gets sick and Neji worries. Thank you for reading and please drop a line if you have the time.