Thank you all for the reviews and for those who find that Gaara doesn't behave like himself, well what can I say? I try to stick to his character but at the same time, I have to make him OCC too. Gaara in love in the anime? Never saw that. So here, he knows how to kiss and let's say he reads about sex. There

Don't cry

Chapter 4


Gaara of the Desert has run off, stealing her first kiss as a seal for their newly friendship. Okay, he's totally heartless.

The entry's door opened without a sound and two persons stealthily walked to the Hyuga heiress sitting on the ground in a loss. In the dark, none of them saw the deep blush that covered Hinata's cheeks but they wondered what happened to make the girl so spaced out. Her lips were slightly parted, as if she was baffled and she didn't hear them come near until they called out her name a few times.

''Hinata!'' Hinata distinguished her baby sister's voice through a thick cloud in her head. ''Huh? Hanabi…? Neji?'' Indeed her cousin had accompanied Hanabi in search of Hinata; she was stunned.

''Get up, Father's already angry and he won't take anymore of your fooling behaviour, he said. Come on, give me your hand.'' Hinata did what she was told without protest, thankful to have a caring sister despite their position in the family. She was walking to the door, still holding Hanabi's hand, when Neji's quiet voice startled her. ''What happened here, cousin?''

H-huh, what I am going to say… She worked on an excuse that would seem normal to them. ''I-I had an a-argument with K-kiba a-and I tripped. H-he ran away because h-he was t-too angry.'' Would they buy it?

''Humph, that's just like him. Coward.'' Hinata retained a sigh of ease that would've divulged her lie. Again, people asked her what happened and she told them an entire different story. She hated the lack of honesty but she was getting used to it now, seeing an exit to the embarrassment she always got herself into.

The three kids walked into the yard, closing the door behind them. Hanabi's hands slipped away from Hinata's and she watched her sister leave with a bit of sadness tightening her throat. Although they have developed a strong relationship, Hanabi would always be in competition with her and that disturbed the love that they had for each other.

Neji and she walked a while together until they reached the main room of the house, the one where Hiashi would deal with family matters and requests for the village and mostly, the place where he'd train Hanabi and Neji and discipline Hinata. With a small nod, Neji wished her good luck, aware of what waited her.

After half an hour, she was finally released with only a moral lesson and pain coming from her red cheek that she tried to ignore. Directly, she flied to her room and started to take off her clothes as soon as the door behind her was closed. Wearing only white underwear, she slid under the sheets, thoughtful. She was still shaken from the deep kiss Gaara had given her just an hour ago. She still remembered his lips kissing her without management, almost obscenely as if he was trying to stir something in her, any reaction that would lead her to reject him and give up on him. He took his first kiss from her!

Slowly, Hinata brought her fingers to the tender lips and closed her eyes, playing back the event in her head. Her heartbeat accelerated; a warm sensation rose to her chest, coming from under the stomach, to a precise place actually… she imagined her kissing him back, her hand going through that red hair of his. The obscenity would go away, leaving only… love.

Love? B-but I love Naruto! But did Naruto ever made her feel this way? Sure, she thought. When he came too near and she could smell his perfume a little, her legs started to fail her and all she wanted is to fall on the ground, just to memorize the moment. Gaara was very different from Naruto and thinking back of the few times they spent together, it seemed impossible to fall in love with such a guy, let alone be friends with him. Only, for his sake, and hers, she would try to tame his wildness because chances were they he'd kill her if she hurt his feelings. He just needed someone to give him affection, because that's all he ever really looked for in his life, love. However, she was surely not in love with the aggressive sand ninja!

But… I wonder when will be 'until then'…


''Hey, Hinata! Wait for me!'' Kiba said, running with Akamaru just behind him. He reached Hinata who was walking back to her house. She was coming back from the Hokage building, where she had been summoned by the Hokage himself.

She waited for him, playing with her fingers with a gold coloured badge that hung down around her neck, the ribbon too long for her. Kiba caught up with her and together, they walked. ''So,'' the boy said to get onto the topic, ''what did the Hokage want?''

''As if y-you don't know, Kiba!''

Kiba passed his hand through his hair apologetically, a little bit shy, which was unusual from him, she noticed. Then again, they were team mates and good friends, so he sometimes showed things that he didn't to others. ''Yeah, that kid you saved. I guess they gave you this reward?'' he said, pointing the object between Hinata's fingers.

She took the medallion and held it to him. ''Y-yeah, the H-Hokage c-congratulated me a-and t-there was all t-the instructors a-and t-the little boy I-I saved. H-he gave m-me a big hug, I-I was so h-happy!'' Hinata stuttered under the emotion that rose in her.

A few days had passed since Gaara's last appearance and a lot had happened. Training with Kiba, Shino and Kurenai-sensei has really paid off and Kiba stuck true to his words and gave his all towards her. Kurenai-sensei had really insisted that she worked hard.

Most importantly, yesterday they were training near the river providing water to the village. There weren't a lot of people, so only sounds of fighting could be heard. She remembered avoiding a kick coming from Kiba and she heard a splash. With one hand, she grabbed Kiba's feet, stopping him in his attack. He fell on the ground, groaning and whining but Hinata was oblivious to him, looking from where the sound came from.

Not picking anything, she settled to use her byakugan and concentrated. Just behind her, she faintly noticed something unusual moving into the water. It was something that had the shape of a human hand. Without a second thought, she sprinted towards the river and dived in. Kiba and Shino waited anxiously her return but time was flying by without her coming back.

Kiba couldn't handle it anymore. He took off his shirt and got ready to jump in the water, evaluating her possible position but Hinata outdid him. She clung to the roots of a tree and held the body out the water the best she could. Her friend helped her out of the river and together, they laid the drowned person on the shore.

The victim was a little boy, no more than five years old, in a swimsuit. A woman ran to them screaming, probably his mother. Not losing time, Hinata checked the young child's vital signs but she could barely sense them under her fingers. Inside, she panicked under the sight of the boy's bluish lips but she remained calm exteriorly, quickly searching in her memories how to resuscitate a drowned person.

It wasn't long before she remembered and she did mouth-to-mouth to the little boy. Time pressed her but she tried to apply the technique with the utmost care without stressing. Still, she felt her body tensing all over…

While she was giving air into the boy's lungs, she felt his mouth moving. A few coughs came out of him and she helped him sit down to spit the water. She turned around to see Shino handing her a towel that she gladly took and placed around the shivering boy's shoulders. His mother threw herself at him, kissing him and thanking Hinata at the same time. Hinata modestly accepted the thanks, slightly blushing. She was really happy of what she had done and a bit proud. She would never have thought that she possessed such courage.

And now, she was even more proud of the medallion that had received from the Hokage, after that the mother had reported her accomplishment and insisted that the girl receive her gift, which was a considerable amount of money. Of course, the Hokage had refused but instead, he had invited many senseis and her own Father that only congratulated her, so that he wouldn't lose face in front of all the people.

''I know that I told you this a thousand times already, but you were really great Hinata.'' Kiba said. ''You really deserve this''.

Hinata brought her hands to her chin, a slight blush spreading on her cheeks. ''Th-thank you, Kiba, y-you're nice.'' Kiba grinned at her, turning down the compliment with a sign of hand. ''Nah, I'm just saying what's true. Hey, here's your house.''

Hinata looked up to see that he was right. Regretfully, she had to leave Kiba. ''Y-yeah, it is…''

Kiba noticed the sad look on her face; he tried to cheer her up a little. ''Hey, don't make that face. We'll meet in two days.'' Hinata haven't changed at all, so he walked up to her and took her hands into his. She stepped back, surprised by his move. ''Hinata, what's up? You should be happy of that badge; it's the reminder that you're strong. Just stop by tomorrow at my house if you're lonely, alright?''

Hinata looked down and nodded, pressing her fingers together. ''H-huh huh Kiba. Goodnight.''

''See ya!'' The way Kiba behaved around her made her uneasy. It was a bit different of what he used to be. He never noticed people's feelings before but with her, he acted with care. Gaara's words ringed in her ears, I think he wants something else than the nice relationship that has been going on between you two. Something that can be misinterpreted as love. Even though Gaara had said this to destabilize her, could he be right? Kiba would be… in love with me? Nah… There's no way he would. Gaara was just playing with me.

Before sliding the door to the garden, she thought that it has been a while since she had last seen him and she didn't mind at all. But she ignored that it would be very soon.


Long after she had come home and did her tasks, Hinata went to bed, extremely tired. So tired, in fact, that she never heard someone jump through her window and walk to her drawer, messing the clothes inside. The person rummaged around a bit, barely looking at what he found. He almost didn't bother making noises that would wake the residents.

Hinata was having an agitated dream and turned around but she suddenly woke up, feeling something sharp on her neck. She raised her eyelids slightly, still half-sleeping. In the moonlight, she recognised the form of the body carrying a gourd but the kunai threatening her life made her more than uneasy. Her mouth opened wide and she was ready to let out a piercing scream but Gaara quickly prevented the whole house to be on his trail, pressing a hand against Hinata's mouth. She struggled a little while but soon, as she realized her efforts would be fruitless, her body stopped moving and she waited for what would happen next.

''Hey…'' He removed the hand from her face and she could breathe easily now. ''Meet me outside the border of the village, near the entry at 3 o'clock. Don't be late.'' The kunai went back to its hidden place and Hinata watched Gaara leave, using the same window.

A cool breeze made Hinata shiver, bringing the blankets to her chin. Why did he have to tell me that way? Outside, the sky brightened slowly, passing from darkness to a paler blue. She hesitated a moment, but finally stirred and left the comfortable bed. The floor under her feet was cold so she hurried up to get into her slippers.

She came down the second floor and went to the kitchen. While she was cutting a slice of bread, her thoughts wandered towards Gaara and his surprising appearance. So why did he do that? He could have just let her know yesterday like somebody normal.

The thing is he was not normal. Gaara had no idea of how to function properly or just ignored the ethics. He never had someone to care for him enough to even show him how to be around others. Immediately, he became an outsider to people and it only confirmed the idea that he was a monster and that nobody loved him

Being alone must have been very hard on him… Hinata laid down the knife and gripped the counter. I know that being rejected hurts. He shouldn't have to bear that. Naruto, Gaara… nobody should be alone. She held her head down, staring at nothing in particular. It hurts to be rejected by your own father. Not to be up to his expectations, to crave for his affection. That's why she liked Naruto, because he fought to be acknowledged, and that's why… she would befriend Gaara.

''Hinata, what are you doing?'' Hinata jumped by surprise and quickly wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes, before turning towards Neji who stared at her, puzzled. ''Ay, n-nothing! D-do you w-want s-some bread N-Neji?''

''Um… yeah.'' He watched her almost run in the kitchen, shoving stuff on the table he was sitting at. After a few minutes, his plate was placed before him, filled with food that he hasn't exactly asked for… But before he could make his point to Hinata, she scuttled out of the room, a slice of bread stuffed in her small mouth not so delicately.


Hinata had her bag in her back, full of small snacks in case one of them got hungry. She asked herself why Gaara would choose this place, of all of them, to meet her. Maybe it was to keep him from killing her. The idea didn't please her at all but it was most unlikely that she was right. He wouldn't mind getting rid of her in front of the whole village. She just knew it.

Then, why would he? It always seemed that he preferred secluded places, far from the others. The only thing I can think of is the trees… she stopped on the side of the road and listened for a sign of him. Everything seemed normal; the wind blowing in the branches, the steady singing of cicadas and the human activity on the other side of the wall protecting Konoha. However, if someone really put efforts into it, like Hinata was doing, he could hear the different movement of the branches caused by someone moving.

Hinata vanished in an instant and reappeared up in a tree, where Gaara was shucking a piece of wood, using his kunai. She sat down with difficulty, still having a hard time to bear the height. She expected a look from him but he paid no attention to her; instead of that, his gaze fell on the village under their feet. She abandoned and looked at the horizon and the village, back and forth, slightly bored.

In fact, she was also nervous at the idea that they were together, alone, with her consent this time. If something happened, she would be the only one responsible for it and she preferred not to think about that. After a while of staying like this, Hinata wondered what he was thinking but his face was unreadable.

''G-Gaara…'' He didn't budge from his place at all. ''W-why d-did you pick t-this p-place?''

Impassively, he answered her. ''From here, I can see the people below.'' Hinata nodded and watched under her. She spotted Sakura's pink hair and someone else's, probably Ino since the two of them seems to have a spicy argument. ''It's easy to observe people's dirty behaviour and see how pathetic they are.''

Hinata frowned. ''W-what do y-you mean, d-dirty behaviour?'' It didn't make any sense to her. What kind of things could he see up here? Nothing looked disturbing among the villagers and the foreigners.

She heard a small grunt coming from him and looked to see Gaara fixing her, annoyed. He sent daggers with his aquamarine eyes that drowned her in despair and fear. ''They display affection and love in order to manipulate people better. Watch that couple near the flower shop. The man is offering a bouquet to the woman but what are his intentions behind it? I guess it would be money, judging on the clothes she is wearing. And see the fisherman that is discussing with the buyer. He's not trying to give the best price to the buyer. All he wants is to put money in his pockets and get wealthier. In the end, they are just lurking around to get their hands on what they desired. There's no love.''

Gaara smiled interiorly at his simple speech that would show Hinata the truth. ''Nobody can love anyone else than itself, because everything that people do is directed towards its selfishness. There's always something profiting to them, otherwise they wouldn't accept the deal.''

Yet, the silence that wrapped them at the beginning intensified and he foresaw nothing good from her side. Isn't she going to react? He thought, eager to hear the pitiful protests that she would make. They weren't coming and it didn't seem they would arrive.

He growled louder this time, pissed off. ''What's wrong? What are you thinking!'' What unnerved him most was that she wasn't even looking at his direction. She avoided his stare with care, as if he caught something and became contagious.

''W-why do y-you want to know s-so much?'' she said in a feeble voice, still not facing him.

He chose to ignore the question. Nobody could refuse his demands. ''What is it? Are you scared of my reaction?''

''Not that much.'' Hinata got on her feet and moved next to him to support her statement. ''I-I think t-that you're just a-afraid of happiness.''

Gaara scowled at her, scoffing of her silliness. ''Huh, I'm afraid of happiness. What the hell is that?'' He pointed the people walking through the streets of the village. ''Is that happiness, really? Or just a big lie that they making of their lives?''

''M-maybe your l-life is a l-lie. Y-you've given up on p-people, Gaara. Y-you put t-them in the s-same bag b-because you've b-been hurt b-but they aren't all a-alike. T-trust them, trust me. P-people are c-capable to love t-to a great extent.''

He refused to look at her for a moment; his fury was too immense. He talked into a harsh voice, quietly and slowly ''I don't find happiness with anyone, nor my siblings or you. Happiness cannot be found in the kindness of people, because kindness always has a second meaning. Killing, however, is a whole different matter. I could rampage days and nights but I would have hundreds, thousands of shinobis after me and it'd be rather annoying. So I behave to my sister and brother and behave. Hmph.''

He only refrains himself from murdering because he doesn't want to deal with the retaliations? How can he… How could he be so cold? What happened in his head that made him turn into a merciless slaughterer? Her voice blocked in her throat, swallowing was hard on her. She had to say something. It seemed rather impossible to reach a bit of humanity inside him but still, she wanted to believe that he wasn't lost. She had to keep the fragile bond that was created between them.

''Wh…what d-do you find s-so amusing b-y killing?'' Hinata managed to say.

Gaara's face shut down. He became absorbed in thoughts, but his lips moved and she approached to hear the words coming out of his mouth. Slowly, they grew coherent and she could finally make out what he was saying. ''… need a reason to live. I kill the strong in order to survive. If someone else's surpasses me in strength, he threatens my life and I have to eliminate him. And when my sand chokes a ninja to death, I feel excited. The adrenaline rushed through my veins and I am no longer in danger. And only then, I know true happiness. It gives sense to my existence. And I need that. I only love myself. I don't care about the people I kill, they only had the misfortune to cross my path.''

Hinata's fingers shook slightly and she grabbed her fingers to stop it. No, she couldn't show her fear now! But… With the same low voice as Gaara's, Hinata asked him ''I-if y-you like k-killing… why d-don't you take m-my life away?''

''I told you before.''

Her head jerked towards him. ''What?'' He carried on for her. ''Have you forgotten already, dear Hinata? It's rather simple, actually. You're not worth the trouble to do you, as I told you the first time we met. And anyway, I have a lot of fun with you. No one ever tried to become friends me before. I guess you want to do it for yourself, to feel you made something good. When it'll all be over, I'll get rid of you personally, don't worry. No one else than me has the right to kill you, I swear it.

With nonchalance, he got up and stretched his arms. Hinata watched his fine muscles contracts worriedly. Suddenly, she was aware of his well developed muscles that did nothing to reassure her. And his words… 'I'll get rid of you personally, don't worry. No one else than me has the right to kill you, I swear it.' Somehow, she couldn't bring herself to rejoice over his promise…

''I'll see you at the chunin exams then, even though I doubt they'll even let you take it. I'd like to see you in a real combat. Of course, there's no chance we'd ever be face to face in a fight.'' He walked to the end of the branch without fearing the height between the ground and him.

Hinata threw herself at him, afraid that he'd leave her without more explication. Gaara gasped in surprise and his fist dashed towards before he could even realize it. The excitement grew as his gourd shook hungrily. Something hard collided with Hinata's face and she was sent flying backwards. The tree stopped her fall, but the pain that spread in her back made her let out a cry. When she opened her eyes, Gaara was still at the other end, arms crossed.

''Don't ever touch me. Next time, I might not have so much self restraint.''

''Gaara…'' He wasn't used to people's touch and reacted violently to it. She had to remember that from now on. Feeling that he'd leave if she annoyed him with her questions, she gave up and nodded. ''G-good night.''

A devilish smile played on his lips. ''Good night.'' Then he jumped off and disappeared into the woods.


All there's left is reviewing the chapter for any mistakes, which I didn't do last time (whoops) and I'll just update the fanfic. I'll happy to see more reviews are coming in and not only just after the fic is updated but also from while to while. Well, see you all later.