Thought I'd just get this out of the way because I won't be able to update again until Tuesday. Sorry, I'll make it up with two on Tuesday. Hope you like it, and thanks again for the reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.

Gaara sat on Hinata's bed watching as she slept. He couldn't help the small smile that crossed his face as she turned and knitted her brow in her sleep. He gently moved back a piece of hair that had fallen out of place. He never wanted to leave her side. It was irrational the way he felt for her, but after their first kiss. It no longer seemed to matter to them. After that first kiss they had hardly been away from each other for more then a few hours and even that seemed far too long for him. He needed her, and was willing to do anything to protect her. She stirred in her sleep, nuzzling near him. He wished to lie beside her and hold her to him, but the morning was coming quickly. He would have to be back to join his siblings. They would be given a new mission, and he was required to leave Kohana and travel back to the village of the sand. He leaned in and gently kissed Hinata's brow before he left through the window.


Hinata woke alone in her bed room. She had hoped that he would stay until she woke. It had been almost three days since the kiss, and she still could barley believe that it had happened. She had fallen in love with Gaara, the proclaimed monster of the sand, a born killer, who supposedly had no compassion for human life. All This should have pushed her away, but it didn't. It drew her closer to him. It made her want to understand him, and to break his shell. In just a few days she had fallen in love with him, and she couldn't think of anyone else she would want to be with.


By the time he arrived at the inn Temari and Kankuro, were already up and about.

"Well, look who decided to come back. Did you have fun on your little 'outing'?"

Gaara didn't respond to the comment, although inwardly, he was amused. Kankuro had no idea how close to the truth he was, though what he had done with Hinata was not as perverted as Kankuro was obviously thinking.

"Gaara! Where have you been?! You know that you're not supposed to leave our sight! Especially after dark! What if it had gotten lose again. We can't afford a repeat of last time."

Gaara tried his best to remain impassive, but Temari's constant warnings had some effect on him. Everything she said made him think of what would happen to Hinata if Shukaku was awakened again. Should he continue to stay with her if there was any chance she could get hurt, especially by his hand? He lost himself in his thoughts, unconsciously letting out a quiet growl. Temari stopped ranting to study him. She had noticed that something was changing in Gaara. She wasn't sure what, but somehow she knew it could only lead to trouble. Before she could say anything the Kazekage entered their room. Temari and Kankuro bowed, but Gaara only looked up meeting his father's eyes.

"You three have a mission that requires a certain amount of discretion."

Gaara could already tell what his father was thinking. It was another betrayal. He couldn't yet tell whose. The Kazakage was that sort of being. He held no loyalty that he could not control. In this way Gaara knew him to be a fool. The Kazekage went on ignoring the harsh and disbelieving stares of the trio.

"You are to take the girl known as Hyuuga Hinata. We are to bring her back to the country of the wind."

Gaara looked through him. On the outside he seemed calm and totally collected. On the inside, however, he was a flood of emotions. Was his father responsible for the attack on Hinata by the sound ninja? Why would he once again try to kidnap the Hyuuga heir, was he truly that stupid? What would Hinata think of this? Would she think this was his plan all along would, would she hate him?

'Why shouldn't I?'

This was truly what he wanted. He wanted her to be with him, and no one else. So why shouldn't he take her. She was his and no one else's, so why would she protest. He should take her with him. Only he could truly keep her safe. He wanted all of this to be true. He wanted to take her, have her as his own, but he knew that she would never leave behind her father and her village. No matter how much pain they may cause her. No, he would not allow anyone to hurt her, especially not his father.

And now we get to the heart of the drama. I'm sorry about the cliff hanger, especially since I won't be updating for a while, but know that it's worth the wait. And while you're waiting why not review. Come on, you know you want to!