Not much to say about this chapter.

Enjoy!

"Temari…" Gaara's voice pierced the darkness of Temari's room. She sat up in bed slowly, pulling the sheet up with her.

"Gaara…? What are you doing here?" She rubbed her eyes groggily, still trying to wake up. Her eyes were adjusting quickly and scanning the dark recesses of her room. She saw Gaara's pale turquoise eyes glinting in the light of the moon through her window. She noticed the almost animalistic fever in his gaze and recoiled impulsively. Nothing good ever came from that stare. It was like an animal sizing up its prey; getting ready for the kill.

"I need you, Onee-Chan." A low growl bounced off her walls, crawling on her skin and tickling her thoughts. Temari shuddered, almost in ecstasy. She had always wanted Gaara's affection. Always desired his company. Always needed him. Temari knew Kankuro couldn't live without her. He needed his big sister almost as much as he needed air. Gaara, on the other hand, could care less about whether she was around or not. He seemed slightly grateful when she brought him food or new clothes, but he could do it on his own if the need were ever to arise. Hearing that he needed her in some way, no matter how distorted it may be, gave her a feeling of self-admiration. Sabaku No Gaara actually needed someone in his life.

"Otouto…" Gaara gave no sign of hearing her, but crept ever closer to her bed. His face was thrust into the shaft of dim light streaming through her open curtains and she could now see canines indenting his bottom lip. An uneasy feeling swept through her. Would Gaara kill his older sister? Would he regret it? Would he even notice she was gone? Gaara was standing next to her bed, toying with the sheet draped loosely over the mattress. His features were still contorted with Shukaku's influence. Temari's voice seemed to leave her as she stared into his eyes. She realized how close she could be to death at that moment and felt her eyes pool with tears. Her voice were but a whisper as she said the words she'd wanted to tell him so badly her entire life. "I'm sorry…"

The animalistic gleam left Gaara's eyes as he stared at his sister, dumbfounded.

"Why would you be sorry?" His voice seemed almost normal as his fingers brushed against her hair ever so lightly. Temari felt her own voice coming back as fear started to leave her.

"Because I've been a horrible sister to you." Gaara was about to say something when Kankuro screamed. Temari jumped from her bed, pulling the sheet with her. "I'm sorry." She said pulling a shirt over her head and running out of the room. Gaara stood there for a moment, listening to Shukaku's ramblings about killing Kankuro. Gaara made a hand seal before dissipating into sand.

Temari dashed down the hallway, pulling herself to a stop outside of Kankuro's room long enough to push the door aside. She hurried into the room and sat on the edge of her brother's bed. He had his knees pulled up to his chest and was hiding his face in his arms.

"Kankuro." Temari's voice was soothing as she smoothed his hair back away from his damp forehead. He looked up at her with frightened eyes.

"Onee-Chan." He threw his arms around her, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "It was awful. He-he was trying to kill you. He almost di-did too. It's not right. He shouldn't have that power. W-we shouldn't have to deal with hi-him. Why us?" Kankuro sobbed against her shoulder. Temari knew instantly he meant Gaara.

"You're right, Otouto. Gaara shouldn't have that kind of power. But he does. That doesn't change the fact that he's our little brother. No matter what, we'll be there for him. And we'll be there for each other, right?" Kankuro nodded weakly.

Gaara stood quietly in the hallway, listening to his sister's soft words. He could almost believe that she wanted him to be her brother. Key words being almost. Gaara knew that no one could ever want a monster. Ever love a monster. Still he wondered if there might ever be such a thing as happiness for him.

"Temari…" Gaara made a hand seal and collapsed on the floor as sand.

Gaara was waiting for her when Temari came down for breakfast that morning. She smiled a little hesitantly. Gaara never ate with Temari and Kankuro. Temari walked into the kitchen still smiling. Her pajamas had been replaced with her usual attire and she'd pulled her hair back into four spiky ponytails. She started preparing breakfast like she always did and was almost finished when she noticed that Gaara was standing only a few feet behind her, studying her.

"So, you're eating with us today?" Kankuro said, coming down the stairs still in his boxers and a tank top. He had purple smudges left under his eyes from face paint. Gaara merely nodded to his older brother and sat down at the small table. Kankuro sat down across from him and licked his lips as Temari brought their plates in. She smiled as she set Gaara's down in front of him and sat between her brothers. They ate in silence, Kankuro sometimes muttering something about the food. Mostly compliments and one "Could be a little better" which caused Temari to whack him in the head.

Gaara thought the reason they were so quiet was because he was there. After all, he had seen them talk and joke many times while they ate.

"How do you like it, Gaara?" Temari said, smiling at him and taking a bite of her eggs. Gaara nodded.

"Thank you, Temari." A grin broke out across Temari's face. Gaara had never said anything remotely like a 'Thank you' since he was kid. Kankuro smirked and finished off his food.

"Well, I'm gonna go get dressed." Kankuro stood up and dropped his plate in the sink before walking back upstairs. Gaara and Temari finished shortly after and Temari started on the dishes. Gaara stayed in the kitchen watching her quietly. Every so often she would look back and smile at him, which thoroughly confused Gaara.

"Temari," He took a step forward, only a few feet behind his sister now. "Why are you so different?" Temari turned to face her brother, unknowingly bringing herself closer to him.

"What do you mean?"

"You've never ran from me. Even when you were scared you always stayed, and tried to be…nice to me. Why? Why do you always smile and act like I'm normal? Like I'm not a monster…"

"Because you're not a monster. You're my little brother and I l-love you, Gaara." Temari leaned forward before she lost her confidence and let her lips press against Gaara's forehead.

Next chapter, in my opinion, is much better.

:)