Amazing yet again! I'm so very happy to hear how you guys are loving this story, not to mention the complements I've gotten about the flow of my writing. If you haven't read my profile, I am aspiring to publish my own book one day and to hear these things from complete strangers just makes me feel so freaking good!

As always, thank you all so very, very much for taking the time to leave a lovely review for me. So far they have all been positive! :D

TheAlleyKat

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evil-x-love

Neon Renaissance

misao97

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PastryLover

Constant kindness can accomplish much.

As the sun makes ice melt,

kindness causes misunderstanding,

mistrust and hostility to evaporate.

~Albert Schweitzer~

December had finally come, bringing with it the beautiful snow of winter. It now blanketed the outside world, completely covering everything in its icy confines. The tree limbs were weighed down and everything was still, making the world seem like a picture from one of her beautiful novels. She had been here three months already; her nineteenth birthday just around the corner. Her family would be at home, preparing for the New Year's festival they had each year. She would be inviting her friends over and going to watch the fireworks, hopefully at Naruto's side. The nostalgic feeling she had only made her long for home, to be able to see her family again. This would be the second New Years and birthday she would spend captive; would this war never end?

When she revealed her surname she had expected a strong reaction. She had been expecting an immediate execution, or his blood drenched sand to wrap its way around her body. Though his eyes had become darker, he had done nothing more than turn away from her and exit the room. She had stood there wondering where he had gone, what he could have possibly done that late in the evening; but her question went unanswered. When he returned he didn't speak to her, but his glances had caught her attention. He was studying her now, possibly trying to figure out why she had yet to strike him. It was beyond doubt that he had assisted in killing several members of her clan and hers had struck down several in his army, yet she herself had not attacked him.

After watching him for so long she simply couldn't bring herself to do such a thing; not after realizing the loneliness he had undoubtedly suffered. Sure she couldn't exactly be called a companion, not even close, but if he could at least trust her enough to remain in his cabin, then perhaps one day… no, she shook her head. She shouldn't be having such thoughts. He was an enemy, a leader of the enemy forces. Neji would have acted much sooner…

He kept his guard up around her, purposefully ensuring he didn't come into striking distance of her hands. He probably knew the Hyuga technique quite well and although it seemed doubtful one had actually ever struck him, he was smart in the fact that he avoided her as much; not that she would have attacked him anyway.

The camp had grown quiet with winter; Shinobi huddled in their tents, trying to keep warm despite the chilling winds and snow. She felt relatively pleasant, sitting next to the fireside; although it made her feel slightly guilty as well. None of the others in the camp were enjoying this kind of luxury, including the girl who brought her food every now and then. This same girl had brought Hinata a warm wool blanket for the winter; something she was exceedingly grateful for. Hinata currently sat by the fireside, watching the dancing flames with the warm blanket draped over her shoulders.

Gaara had been missing from the camp for over a week now. She expected him to walk through the door anytime. It was without doubt that the snow had something to do with his late arrival. She had prepared another broth and it now hung over the fire. Hinata only moved from the confines of her blanket to stir it occasional, the brew mostly consisting of potatoes and vegetables that she had saved from the previous summer. Meat was a rarity in these cold months, but she could see ninja leave the camp now and again to hunt for game.

Sudden panicked cries brought her out of her reverie as she stood to walk towards the window; the wooden floors cold beneath her feet. Looking out the small glass she didn't see anything at first, but more cries pierced the air sending unpleasant shivers down her spine. They were the cries of death, the pleas for mercy. Behind a nearby tent she watched as a body flew forward, painting the white snow red with its blood. The figure remained limp in the snow; it was then that a familiar form appeared around the corner. No one pursued him after that, but the line of red didn't stop as he made his way towards the door. The once pure snow had now been tainted with the blood of war.

Panic seized her; he was angry, very angry and with her being the only one in the room she vaguely wondered if she would be 'dispatched' during his 'frustration'; The words from his soldiers coming back to her.

Not having time to move, Hinata stumbled back as the door slammed open, sand pouring all around his frost covered body. It slammed shut violently as a tendril shot back, his breathing was erratic and his eyes shifted quickly, scanning the room as he made his way forward. She had frozen in place, watching as the blood tracked across the wooden floors, mixing with the now melting snow. It ran along the wood, falling into the cracks and flowed towards the kitchen in tiny rivers. Tiny rivers of red…

He fell to his knees with a muffled cry and only now did she realize the reason for so much blood. It wasn't from his enemies; the blood was his. She could now see a deep wound to his abdomen bleeding profusely. He tried applying pressure to the area, but only succeeded in creating more pain it seemed. This once powerful man with cold eyes now knelt in the middle of the floor, struggling for his life. What could have happened that caused this much damage? Who could possibly stand face to face with him?

Though he was an enemy, Hinata couldn't bring herself to simply watch him die. It was as Neji told her, "You aren't cut out for war." She didn't care if he was an enemy, right now all she saw was a man dying before her. Dropping the blanket from her shoulders Hinata walked forward, kneeling beside him, ready to use her medical skills to close his wounds, but before she could touch him, sharp, green eyes snapped up to meet hers. She was grabbed by the throat and quicker than she could recall, he slammed her against the side wall, knocking over one of her many potted plants, his fingers digging sharply into her flesh.

"You think to finish me?" His breathing was strained, but that didn't stop the venom dripping from his voice.

"N-No." She choked out, using the last of her breath as he continued applying pressure. Hinata had involuntarily wrapped her hands around his arm, trying to find some leverage as he had lifted her from the ground. She could feel her body struggling for breath and if she didn't act quickly this would be the end for her. Hinata's hands began emitting a faint green glow as she brought them down to the large gash she discovered ripped open under his forearm. His eyes widened slightly as the wound began to close, fading and then finally disappearing, leaving only a faint white line where the deep laceration had been. His grip loosened as their eyes met and his body suddenly convulsed, sending him to his knees yet again.

Hinata sputtered and coughed as her lungs burned from the air now returning to her body. Though she had doubled over, she remained standing; now looking down on his knelt figure. His skin was already paler than usual and a cold sweat had formed on his brow; if she didn't act fast he was going to be beyond saving. Hinata knelt beside him carefully and once again his sharp eyes met hers; this time sand wound its way around her body, staying firm, yet allowing her to move. She could feel the grains grinding against her skin, almost painfully, as she reached towards his abdomen.

The skin beneath her hands began to move as she applied chakra to the area. She could feel the skin knitting together beneath her fingers; it was muscles and underlying structures that would cause more difficulty. She had to stop the blood flow first though, only then would she focus on repairing the other muscles; hopefully his organs hadn't been damaged from whoever had attacked him. Once the skin finished coming together Hinata reached forward to grab his arm. The strands around her body tightened painfully as the grains cut into her skin, she could feel a small trickle of blood traveling down her left arm where it had broken. His gaze fell on her in the worst of manners, ready to tear her body to pieces.

"Let me help you." She whispered pleadingly. He wavered; she knew his body was still raked with unbearable pain as she had yet to finish healing his damaged tissues. The sand loosened then, finally falling away from her and she couldn't help but notice the sudden fear that filled his eyes; he didn't have any Chakra left she realized. Hinata ignored his panicked look, grabbing his wrist before he could back pedal. He cried out in agony as she draped his arm over her shoulders and stood. Hinata stilled, allowing him to catch his breath before she proceeded towards the bed, walking slowly; one step at a time. She carefully released her grip after ensuring he wouldn't fall to the ground.

He laid on the bed, his gaze remaining fixed on her as she brought her hands to his abdomen again, hovering, her hands emitting the warming green glow of medical Ninjutsu. She couldn't meet his gaze as she worked; his cold stare only unnerved her and right now she needed to focus. She couldn't be distracted at such a critical time. She felt the underlying muscles beneath his skin begin to move and from his slight moans she knew the process was uncomfortable. Having your inner structures torn to pieces and then move to realign themselves could be called unpleasant at best. She concentrated though, working hard to minimize that discomfort whenever possible. The muscles knitted themselves together slowly, each one reattaching to their original positions; his organs had thankfully been spared. She hadn't gotten through that much of the medical training and wasn't sure she would have been able to save him had he suffered damage there.

When she met his gaze again it took her by surprise. No longer were his eyes full of malice and hatred. They now held a look of wonderment, awe and disbelief. It was a side of him she had never seen before and one that was hard to even envision. She brought the blanket up to cover his shivering, pale body and moved away from his bedside; feeling awkward.

"Even though your wounds are mostly healed, there is only so much I'm able to do. You need to rest to allow them to further heal on their own. You'll probably feel tired until you body's blood supply returns to normal." She hadn't been able to meet his gaze as she spoke and instead went to the kitchen, making a lavender tea. Hopefully it would help relax him.

His gaze still followed her as she came back, pouring hot water over the herbal leaves and taking a drink before she handed it to him; he wouldn't drink it otherwise. Her hand went to his head then, but he snatched her wrist painfully. She was surprised and yet again risked a glance towards his green orbs. They were still filled with that wonder, something that suddenly made her heart quicken. Those eyes... He looked so much different from the earlier murderous man she had seen. Now he looked vulnerable; human.

"Why?" He breathed his body heavy with exhaustion. His words confused her.

"Why what?" She now found herself kneeling at his bedside; captivated by a greenish-blue trance.

"Why would you help me?"

"You were hurt." His expression shifted, not to one of cold hatred, but of misunderstanding.

"You're a prisoner here. What reason have you to care?"

"You expected me to stand by and let you die?" The concept horrified her, but she had to remind herself they were at war. Mercy wasn't usually an affordable asset.

"Anyone else would."

She remained silent for a few moments, "You've never done anything to harm me."

A mocking chuckle came from his throat, "You're too kind for your own good." It was something that Neji would have told her.

A small smile grazed her lips as she recalled the same words she had spoken to her cousin, "In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with." It was a quote she remembered reading back home and one that had stuck with her. Books were the one thing that helped alleviate the pain of war.

Gaara was silent, releasing her wrist and pushing it way; he wouldn't allow her to touch him again she realized. After looking around the room and taking in the damage, she decided it would be better to clean in the morning. There was too much to be done tonight and Gaara needed to rest. With a last look she proceeded towards the fireplace, curling under the wool blanket before falling into a restless sleep.

Alright, so what did you guys think? Not much lovey stuff, but that will all come later.

Next chapter hint: Gaara's POV. :-)

I know I have been posting my chapters quickly, but now I will be taking a three week break. I want to write out a few chapters before I post another one, just to make sure everything lines up correctly. I have this entire story already planed in my head, just have to get it on paper. I really hope you all are enjoying this and hope to hear from you in a review!

Please Review! I would love to hit 100 before my next chapter is up. More reviews means more people will want to read my story. If they see others liking it, they will think it's good... unless of course its not good, but I haven't had any negative feedback yet! :D

See you in a few weeks!

Ja ne