..Chapter Two..

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Gaara stared down at the woman with her head resting on his thigh. Her hair was soft; a glorious shade of velvet ebony dancing under the fresh morning sun. The light came in through the sliding door on his right just through the curtains. She was pale and he noted, not for the first time, just how soft her skin was.

Her eyes. Those were the most beguiling thing about her. They enchanted him. The colour was barely noticeable; a light colour of lavender. It seemed like you could see the whole world moving in those eyes.

He reached down, the back of his knuckles grazing her cheek as she slept. He'd not been too sure of her when she first caught his gaze; banging on that door to the point of rattling the whole building. If anything, he found it annoying. He smirked slightly, thinking back it now.

She stuttered. He hadn't known what to say about it, if anything. For the right person though, Gaara was a patient man. He deduced that waiting for her to find the words would be far better than rushing her or helping her. He didn't tolerate a lot of things in people; most often stupidity or lack of respect. Stuttering was something else entirely and it was most likely not even Hinata's fault.

Turns out... waiting for someone to find their voice helps them much more than giving it to them. And in the fraction of a few minutes she stopped stuttering around him.

He still wasn't sure how he felt about the ebony haired woman sleeping in his lap. He knew he had her for a room mate over the next few months that school was in.

Gaara did not like people. They were noisy, rude, arrogant and rarely considered anyone but themselves. He dealt with them on a basic level or when forced to; nothing more beyond that. He hated talking too much as well. Talking opened you up to things you did not wish to be open to. He much preferred the heat of his music over a voice trying to start a conversation. Music told you things without using words; and only when you listened carefully.

However, he supposed if he had to have a room mate, Hinata was better than anything he could have come up with. She was shy, withdrawn and appeared to talk even less than he did. Imagine that conundrum. Was that the right word? More like irony. Irony seemed to fit better.

Yes, he managed to find someone who seemed to speak even less than he did. He was definitely more... intimidating than her. He'd long gotten use to that and preferred it. It kept people at a distance and gave him more time to work on his craft. The only ones who were never really bothered by his shell were his brother and sister; Temari and Kankurou.

He looked down at the body on his thigh one more time. He was loath to move; however, he knew his sister would be coming in any moment. And he did not need to explain why the young beauty was laying in his lap. He'd never heard the end of it. She'd be discrete; but, with his track record he knew everyone would find out. He was already preparing himself for her to hate him once she met the other students.

The Devil.

That's what they called him. Of course it varied. Every now and then someone added 'red' the middle because of his hair.

With one more internal sigh he shifted slowly and dislodged the girl from his lap. Standing up, without disturbing her, he laid her to rest on the soft cushion he'd previously been sitting on. He gave her one more longing look and turned to go into the kitchen; only to stop dead in his tracks.

"Morning, little brother," Temari said with a slight smirk.

Perfect.

Had she seen him? He waited to see if she let him know. She was smirking at him knowingly. That was no good judge though. Temari always had the look of a cat plotting the death of her next mouse victim. He didn't respond to her; slowly moving towards the fridge with all the confidence and stride of a demon on earth. He looked like one, was called one; so why not? He reached for the door and peered in.

Temari pouted. "You could at least say something." She placed a paper bag on the island. Temari had a kind face. It was rounded and not nearly as angular as her younger brother's. Her hair was just as different; a dirty blond pulled into four spiked pony tails. She had bangs that split to either side of her face and barely brushed her eyebrows. Her eyes were the most darkening thing about her; the colour of deep forest green. They almost looked black unless you dared to spy closer.

Her attire was tom boyish today. It always was. The strength of such a powerful woman radiated in not only her form but in her appearance. It came from being the oldest girl to two brothers and daughter to an only parent--a man. A girl had to scrape just to be heard in such a testosterone induced environment.

Today she had on a pair dark blue jeans that overlapped a set of black combat boots. The knees were ripped and faded only slightly. Her top was a bit more feminine; a soft shade of pale blue. It had belled sleeves and a low neckline.

Gaara reached for a bottle of water and closed the door; once more ignoring his sister. The only sign of acknowledgement he showed her was a slight shrug.

She rolled her eyes. "Very well. I brought you some breakfast though." She dug into the bag and pulled out a couple wrapped sandwiches. "There from that little shop you like so much." She held one out to him with a grin. "Egg and sausage."

He took the offered food without a word and moved to lean against the counter. The wrapper was pulled off and he took a bite. She did this sometimes; brought him food. It wasn't that he didn't eat properly... he just forgot to sometimes. Either that, or it became too much of a hassle. If you didn't have to make it you had to go out and buy it. Which meant, one way or another you were dealing with people.

Staying in and making it was much preferred... but you still had to take time out to make it.

"You get this place to yourself?" She was asking as she looked about.

He shook his head and took another bite.

She arched a brow and gazed near the door; bag set there still full of what one would assume were clothes. She looked back at her brother. "Where is she?" Everyone knew about this room. If Gaara was here it was guaranteed his room mate was a woman,

He jabbed a finger behind him towards the living room.

Temari walked around the island and the counter peninsula separating the kitchen from the living room. She looked down at the girl sleeping peacefully on the couch and touched two fingers to her lips. Her eyes narrowed slightly... why was she sleeping here and not in her room? And for that matter why were her clothes not put away? Had she even been in her room yet?

Temari backed out of the room and glanced at her brother as she moved into the kitchen towards the fridge. It was she this time who grabbed a water bottle. She watched him curiously after taking a refreshing sip. "You stay up with her all night?" Both siblings knew he had trouble sleeping.

His eyes narrowed as he finished off his sandwich and tossed aside the wrapped. He licked the inside of his mouth. He took a quick drink to wash it all down. Was he stalling? It's not like he had to answer her. He debated that.

"Well?"

Apparently she wasn't leaving this one alone. "She came in late last night." He shrugged. "I was up and she couldn't sleep. She fell asleep on the couch around one."

She arched a brow. "Who let her in? Don't we lock the doors at ten?"

"I did."

Wow, more than five words from him? This had to be a record. She didn't let it show. Temari wondered if something was going on here... but decided not to think too hard it or she would jump to impracticable conclusions.

"Hello?" A soft voice as heard in the direction of Hinata.

It was then Temari noted Gaara's demeanour instantly changed. She watched as he stood up and moved to look at the girl just waking up on the other side of the counter. His looked less... stiff and more pronounced in his body language. As though he were ready to spring into action should someone call for him.

Hinata sat up and blinked sleep from her eyes. She looked around the room and yawned as she stretched. Her body was a little sore from sleeping in the cramped piece of furniture; but, aside from that she felt incredibly well rested. She pursed her lower lip. "Gaara?" She felt eyes on her and looked over and up. He was staring at her on the other side of the counter. She blushed slightly and smiled shyly at him.

"Morning," he murmured softly.

Temari had to stop herself from falling over in shock.

Hinata must have heard this because she stood up and looked to the other side of the red head. "H-hello?"

Just moments ago her brother hardly said two words to her; what words she did get out of him she had to practically... force out. And here he was, with no prompting at all, saying 'morning' to this girl he probably only knew less that twenty-four hours. Was she in a twilight zone? Was this a dream?

Hinata walked quietly into the kitchen demure as ever. Gaara watched her carefully, his eyes never leaving her stiff and unsure body movements. To some it might look like he was stalking his prey.

Hinata looked at the woman with blond hair. She smiled slightly.

Temari, despite her earlier shock, beamed at the girl. "Good morning. I'm Temari, Gaara's older sister. You are?"

"H-hinata," she whispered.

Temari arched a brow, one hand on her hip. "Are you alight?" When she only nodded Temari didn't know what to make of her. She acted like a shy little bird caught in a trap; like someone was going to hit her. Had someone hit her before? A parent or boyfriend?

Hinata shuffled her feet together, staring down. She nodded.

Putting on her best smile Temari offered her some food. "Are you hungry? I have a couple breakfast sandwiches in here. They're from my brother's favourite shop."

Hinata smiled and nodded again. She stepped forward and took the hot goody that was held out to her. "D-do you h-have anything to d-drink?"

Temari opened her mouth to respond but it was her brother who interrupted her; her quiet, nearly mute-by-choice, brother.

"I've got it," he muttered.

Faster than she'd ever seen him move, he grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and popped the top. He held it out to Hinata.

The ebony haired girl didn't seem to notice it though. She didn't know him like Temari.

Hinata smiled brightly and reached out, her eyes never leaving his. "Thank you, Gaara," she whispered kindly. She felt a shock run up her arm, a warmth, as she brushed her fingers against his and took the bottle. She still wasn't breaking contact. Not for a minute.

His lips twitched slightly. Not a full smile... but a bit. "You're welcome." He replied softly.

Temari felt like she was watching a movie... or a play... or maybe even seeing something she shouldn't. Should she still be here? It was hard to imagine her brother ever treating anyone like this. Ever. While he was never outwardly rude to a lot of people... ok, he was... but that was just Gaara being blunt and to the point. He never went out of his way to help anyone. He wasn't a bad person. Not by a long shot. He just... didn't like people. He never really gave them the chance to prove if they were a good person or not. And people rarely gave him half a chance either. Many of them talked ill about the boy in the school.

It was only natural. He was always giving them the cold shoulder because he preferred his privacy. In turn, they assumed he was being a snob, jerk or some type of satanic evil bastard who held blood rituals in his room. Everyone who'd ever shared a room with him avoided him like the plague or stayed with someone else the entirety of the year in another room.

Not Hinata.

Temari was not a nosy person; not by a long shot; and never with her brother. While she was concerned with him all the time and checked on him frequently... she never dug into his personal life. He would hate her for it.

Which is why she was trying so hard not to wonder if there was something more going on here between these two. She pursed her lips. Even if there was... it had to be too soon to tell.

"Hinata?"

Hinata blinked out of her spell, breaking her eyes from Gaara's. "Y-yes?"

She smiled. "Tonight the top floor, this one, is holding a party. It goes on every year. It's one of the few things the school turns a blind eye to because it's such a tradition. Would you like to go?"

A party? Hinata's eyes widened. She wasn't ready for a party. She began to imagine all those people.. music... loud voices and... oh god. She felt like a deer with her eyes caught in a stream of headlights; endless ones that just... bore on her.

"Hinata?"

Gaara's voice pulled her from her fears. That soft, deep and calming voice grabbed at her senses and immediately made her feel at ease. She looked at him, asking before she thought about it. "Are you going?"

Temari laughed. "Gaara? Socialize? Never ha--."

"If you want me to." He replied. If you need me there.

Huh...? Ok, it was odd enough that he spoke to her without any prompting. It was odder still that he jumped to get her a drink. But, this was just... insane! Part of her was secretly happy the ebony haired girl was... bringing out a side of her brother she had never seen before. Another part was confused as to what to make of it all. If she didn't know any better... she'd of said he was in love.

...

Nah... Could he be? No. Gaara was too serious for that. Still... it was something she would file away for later; especially if this went any further than heated glances and long moments of staring at one another.

Hinata blushed. "I do... that is, if you don't mind."

He nodded, a smirk on his lips.

"We need to get ready, guys. First class starts in about... another hour." Temari looked at her watch. She glanced up at Hinata. "We've got time to get your things put away in your room and get you dressed to go if we don't waste anymore time. You can dress and I'll help put your clothes away."

She wanted to help her? The woman before her looked like someone she'd rather not meet on a bad day... but on her good side... well, she deduced she was a grand friend indeed." "T-thank you," she relied softly.

"No problem." Temari walked towards the door and grabbed her bag. Hinata trailed after her as she opened the door and shut it behind them.

Hinata watched with helpless eyes as the woman before her began to pull clothes out. She watched as Temari's face went through a series of odd looks as she eyed her wardrobe. Was there something wrong?

"Is this all the clothing you brought with you?" She asked as she set them into folded stacks on the bed.

"Y-yes... is s-something wrong with i-it?"

"Well," Temari paused her search through the bag and sighed, "They aren't bad... I suppose that's the problem. Who picked these out?"

Hinata blushed and looked down at her feet. "My father... he's v-very busy with the r-restaurant."

Temari chuckled, making her feel more at ease. "It's alright. Don't worry. Today after class me, you and few of the girls will go out on a shopping trip. We'll find you something nice for the party... and for the rest of the school year."

Her eyes went wide. Not that she would object to the help... she knew her wardrobe needed help... but... "I d-don't have the m-money... " she blushed, profusely embarrassed.

Temari just grinned. "Who said anything about you buying?"

She just stared at her.

"This is my idea. It's only fair I foot the bill." Her hand was placed on Hinata's shoulder.

Hinata wasn't sure if she wanted cry, laugh or do both. No one had ever... been so kind to her...

"Besides," she smiled knowingly, "you should look nice for my brother tonight. He's never been on a date before."

Her eyes got wider if that was possible, her mouth widened further and she fought for words. "D-d-d-d-date?" She felt her world begin to spin. She felt her stomach lurch... and then everything went black. The last thing she heard was Temari calling her name, the door opening wildly and Gaara shouting angrily at his sister.

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AN: x,X Lately I've been getting reviews in my other stories about grammar and spelling. I'll be the first to tell you I do my best, but, I'm not perfect. If you notice any mistakes, however small, which... are REPEATING... please point them out to me. Make sure to add why it's wrong. A link to the grammar rule online somewhere would be nice too.

I don't have a beta reader. I'd rather get better at editing my own work. If you know of anything on the web which might help, feel free to suggest.

That aside, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I've got another story to update today XD It's nice to keep busy I guess. I just hope I don't get a bad case of writer's block.

Thanks for the reviews. Feel free to ask me anything or make suggestions.

--Blade