His salvation. His destruction. Both lay in the hands of the sleeping girl. As he sat there, next to her slumbering form, he began to think. When was it that she had worked her way into his heart? Someone like him should never have someone precious in their lives.
And yet, she was the one person, other than his brother and sister that he would gladly give his life for.
She knew all this. She knew how he felt about her, and his self. She didn't treat him differently. She just accepted him and cared for who he was, no matter how unworthy he felt. In her eyes, he was perfect. No other could take his place in her heart.
They both knew how they were regarded in the village. The Angelic Maiden that tamed the Demonic Beast. Their words didn't matter to the two. The few that truly knew them understood. The 'Beast' wasn't merely tamed. His Maiden turned Beast to man. The Angel was given freedom, because of the Beast. Her Beast let the Angel be an ordinary Maiden.
He gently brushed the girls soft, dark hair away from her face. Once cut short, she had let it grow out long. No matter the length, he still loved the feel of it. A stark contrast to his flame red.
She softly murmured his name. 'Gaara...aishiteru...' Two simple words that could make him feel at peace.
He laid himself down next to his beloved. He held her close in his arms, savoring the feel of her. Although he never slept long, just laying there with her gave him all the rest he could need. He whispered, as so not to wake her. "Aishiteru, Hinata."