Hey, I got bored and decided to do an oneshot. Yes, I realize that I have a multi-chapter fic to work on, but this invaded my mind for so long. I'm a bit nervous, but I don't want any you readers holding back on some criticism. It'll help. And go ahead flamers, burn this to a crisp if you want, not that I care. But what I do care about is that whatever you do, don't flame because of the pairing, it's absolute nonsense really. Actually, why flame at all, it's obviously a waste of your time.

Kay, this is an AU. High school setting, because I really enjoy those.^^ Shukaku and Kyuubi (along with the other biju) are gangs, Gaara and Naruto are the leaders (as well as the other jinchuuriki). The 5 Kages are kinda the leaders of their respective villages - now towns in this setting - more like a mayor or something.

Rookie 9 and Gaara - 17 (juniors)

Team Gai and Kankuro - 18 (seniors)

Akatsuki and Temari - 19 (college)

"GaaHina" - Speech

'GaaHina' - Thoughts

DISCLAIMER: Would I really be able to create the awesomeness that is Naruto? I think not, so no need for you to sue me.

Go forth, my readers!

Gaara is not a man of patience.

Naruto knows this for sure. The ever boisterous blonde has been the receiving end of his glare promising many, many unspeakable things an abundance of times. But who could blame him? Naruto has to be the loudest and most talkative person in the entire universe, only Ino, Sakura, or Kiba could meet his volume. But no one can use this intense sound as effectively as his friend. Come to think of it, Gaara has yet remembered why - or more accurately, he has remembered, but cannot accept the reality that they have become friends, or even acquaintances.

Naruto, after beating Gaara in a battle of epic proportions, wanted to create an alliance between the two gangs. Although reluctant at first, Gaara agreed. Gaara has yet to regret that decision. His older siblings, Kankuro and Temari, seem to welcome the alliance more so than him. Temari seems especially happy with Kyuubi's pineapple-shaped strategist...

Ah, yes, his siblings irritate him to no end as well, maybe even more than Naruto's never ending energy. The constant bickering of the two gets on his nerves for as long as he could remember, not to mention Temari's nagging - he can now understand her boyfriend's mumbles of a "troublesome woman..." - and Kankuro's perverse ways. Always bringing home a rather *ahem* scantily clad thing. Gaara honestly doesn't know whether or not to call it a human.

Not that he doesn't love them, they're his family and he accepted their flaws.

But there was always this one person that makes him want to strangle a bunny out of frustration. And he's not sure if this is her doing or he's thinking way too much on this.

Hyuuga Hinata.

She wasn't a new member, she was actually a part of Kyuubi a month after its creation, 3 years ago. He had recently learned of her involvement last year, when Hinata came in a meeting with information on another group. She was great at espionage, and was often sent out on missions, ranging from information gathering to assassinations, though the latter was very rare. No matter how long Hinata has been a member of the gang, she can't bring herself to kill another, unless absolutely necessary.

It made him confused, and so, he chose to confront this matter, a couple months ago.

He had stayed behind after school to see Hinata. It was then that he noticed that she was always in his classes. No wonder she's a good spy, she literally hides in the shadows, going unnoticed. He wondered if that was a good thing or not.

Hinata herself was still packing her things. He saw the glances sent his way, questioning his presence and why he hasn't left. She stopped packing her things and fully turned to him. A stare down ensued, jade clashing against lavender. She turned away after what seemed like an eternity for the two, but in reality was two minutes.

He walked towards her, stopping only a few inches away, which made her look up to meet his eyes. She roughly reached his chin, she was petite and had a body of grown woman. But he knew the power surging through her frame, the graceful skills she possessed. He knew she knew the talent she has, but she doesn't reach her full potential. She doesn't kill, she won't kill.

Why? Apparently he asked it aloud, and she stared curiously at him, waiting for him to finish.

"Why... do you choose not to kill?"

She probably was asked this a lot, and her voice held a sense of repetition as she answered his question, "Killing is like a vicious cycle. Hurt and you get hurt in return, kill and prepared to be killed, that's the price everyone will pay. It's not like I want to avoid death. Death is inevitable, a shadow waiting for its master to fall, so it can engulf him. No, I want to live as long as possible, so I can protect my precious people. And when the time comes where I have to pay the price, I want to live a life where there's no need for my precious people to continue that cycle..."

Silence... and then an answer. "You're a fool."

She smiled. "That doesn't stop me from trying."

Her eyes held the same determination from Naruto, her smile a ghost of his foxy grin. She was so naive, so... innocent.

He chuckled quietly, and then he smirked. Interesting...

Although this cleared some confusion, he still can't make sense of this feeling towards her. Is it really irritation? When she's around that dog boy and the creepy one, he gets irritated. But there's also this tug at his heart, and a tiny bit of... loneliness? Yes, there is irritation, but is it towards her, what does he feel towards her anyway? Knowing that thinking on his own will get him absolutely no where, or even worsen his confusion, he resorted to his last, most desperate tactic... asking his siblings for advice.

And that is what gotten him here, in his house, sitting on the living room couch, watching his siblings watch him with the widest eyes he had even seen.

Kankuro came out of his trance and finally spoke, "So... you like the Hyuuga?"

Now his eyes are wide. Like her? Where did this come from?

Temari, sensing his confusion, added her two cents, "Well, you get an uncomfortable feeling when Hinata is around Inuzuka and Aburame, right?" A nod.

"And this is only when Hinata is around the two, not with other girls?" Another nod.

"Does this happen when Hinata is around other guys too?" A bit annoyed by the questions, he nodded so they can tell him what's wrong already.

She grinned, "Then you're jealous when Hinata is with another guy than yourself."

So, he's jealous? But why? I mean, it's not like he...

"I like Hyuuga Hinata."

Temari smiled warmly. She likes the idea of her little brother having a crush on someone. Especially on Hinata, she's a nice girl and always thought of her as a little sister. Well, maybe in a couple of years, they could be sisters...

"Great, then tell her tomorrow at school."

He blinked. What?

The bell ringed, signifying the end of the day. All the students ran out, all except two, Sabaku no Gaara and Hyuuga Hinata, her still packing her things in a turtle-like pace, and he's...

Nervous. A tad bit scared too, not like he will admit it.

He's about to confess to Hyuuga Hinata after finally figuring out his feelings the day before. How can he not be nervous?

So here he stands, backpack in hand, school well over, staring at the object of his affections.

Wait, what is he doing, just staring at her like some creeper? He should get this over and confess already. Yeah, that's what he'll do. So, he walked foward, stopping at her desk, waiting for her to finish collecting her textbooks and whatnot. Finally, done, she turns to him, a demure smile on her face. "Gaara-san, is there something you need?"

He didn't respond at first, but when he responded, it was not at all what she expected.

"I like you."

He liked the emotions showing on her face, a very amusing thing to watch.

She stared at him for second as if he grew a second head, then realization came. She blushed a bit, a faint rosy pink, then it grew in shade, to a shocking red, matching his hair, then grew even redder, inventing new shades. Then the cutest thing happened. She stuttered in the quietest voice he heard from her.

"O-oh, um... well, I-I... l-like you t-too..." And then she fainted.

Luckily, he caught her before she reached the floor. He almost didn't pick up the words she had muttered if he weren't for his acute hearing. He proceeded to carry her bridal style, walking towards the nurse's office. Even though she won't be there at this time, there was a cot for Hinata to lay on.

He sighed. This fainting thing is a bit irritating. 'But...

He stared down at her face, still a light pink, her lips parted the slightest bit, eyelashes fluttering her face.

'If I get to see and touch her like this, then it's worth the trouble'

He smirked, then pondered what the rest of their conversation would be like.

...

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