' Darkness. Silent warm darkness. I like it but were is this place that I like? How did I get here? I'm alone? Why can't I see anything? Its still nice here.' These were some of the many thoughts that swilled in Gaara's mind unbeknown to himself he was in a very deep part of his mind in the realm of sleep and wasn't full of strange images of days gone by like it is for some. Nor was it his unconsciouses mind trying to tell him something. It was plain simple darkness but it wasn't cold or unwelcoming. It was pleasant to him so his mind was able to truly get the very much need rest as mas his body. He stayed there for a day just in the most deepest of sleeps. Very coma like but with no negative effects. No years of missing time, no muscle detraction, just a shut down of the brain and body.

With both his body and mind heavily relaxed he was able to heal a bit. His brain was able to undue lots of sleep deprived damage it stained of the coarse of Gaara's life while his body wasn't under the strain of being constantly tense and the black markings round his eyes. His face soften back to look more age appropriate and not the hard warn look it usually has but his true face that only his dearly loved family has ever seen.

When finally he did awake he felt light and the feeling at easy was still with him. He got up looked "I'm home." Gaara said to know one at all. He got out of his bed and went to the window and peered outside and saw people coming up his drive way.

It was Temari and Kankuro and Naruto, Shadow, Lee and Hinata.

"Strange why are they here?" Gaara asked out loud and shrugged his shoulders to answer his own question. He went to open the door and greeted the people there silently with a smile.

"Hey bro you okay?" Kankuro asked very concerned for his no reason smiling brother.

"I'm great Kankuro. Why wouldn't I be?" Gaara asked smile just as big.

"Oh Gaara! Are you okay? Your not hurt are you??" Shadow demanded to know checking him over.

"Well we hear you'd got into a fight. We come to check on you!" Naruto said also concerned, in all his friendship with Gaara he'd never seen his friend smile so big.

"Well I'm fine there's no reason to worry so relax and come in." Gaara said and moved so everyone could get into the house.

"I'm glad your okay Gaara. We'll you back at school tomorrow?" Hinata asked. She could help but smile at Gaara's smile, it really did brighten his face.

"Sure I'll be at school." Gaara said sitting down on the sofa.

"Thant's great Gaara! You shouldn't miss any more school! "Lee said smiling brightly as always.

They all crashed in the living room the TV was clicked on and everyone just relaxed. School, fights, the outside world all forgotten.

Gaara looked around examined face of the other room's other occupants . Every one was happy, calm, not bothered by anything. And he realized something important: Every one here was his truest and dearst friends.

Wether they were his sister and brother who had know and loved him all his life.
Or two friends that have been with him for most of his life. Been with him no matter what or who. Thick and thin swear that alliance for if they were two someone's who stood up for him. Took hell to defende him. Got in arguments, fights for and becuse of him. For Him they fought .

"These are good friends to have." Gaara said aloud and smiled big again. .

Tv was then paused every turned to Gaara.

"You say something Gaara?" Temari asked remote in her hand.

Gaara shock his head. "Nope nothing. Just thinking to my self." He said.

The TV watching resumed within the house.

Tv was watched, fun was had for a few hours entail that is Hinata got an angry phone call, demanding that she come home. Her father was not home himself, but he was furious that she was not either. Thos her father called it was Neji who had to come get her. He was furious that he had been yelled at by his uncle his loud voice could be herd by both his near by friends and that he had to leave because of her.

Neji pulled into the No Sabaku drive way and slammed the door shut. The stormed up the drive way and pounded on the door. He had no knowledge or care the Gaara had gone back to sleep. He tapped his foot violently on the pavement, while pounding again and starting to yell for his cousin. Hinata wanted to let him in, to stop disturbing the sleeping Gaara but she had fear of what he would do to her since she kept him outside. "Hinata!!" Neji called out for her, louder then the sounds for the TV. She was surprised that the door hadn't cracked from his fists.

Hinata put on a brave face and started for the door, but Temari stretched out her arm blocking Hinata's path.

Temari shock her head gently, her pigtails bounced softly. "I'll handle this. " Temari said she walked to the door and sung it open and shut it behind her. "Hey keep it down! My brother is trying to sleep!" Temari hissed throw her teeth, her eyes flashing dangerously.

Neji gave no heed to Temari, his own eyes blazing. He recognized Temari the instant he saw her. She's a No Subaku. Neji smirked he knew what his uncle, Hinata's father thought about them, and so did Hinata. They both knew she will be in a lot of trouble when they get home. His lips curved into a sneer, and said "Get my cousin out her now." He orders in a firm voice, though he did not raise his voice, the anger was clear. That was yet another Hyuga trait.

Temari's eyes narrow, her frown deepened, and she then forgot to try to be quite. "Who are you to order me around?! I am not nor servant!!" She spat venomously.

Hinata, deciding that her friend and cousin had argued enough, went outside to intervene. When she left the house she made sure that her face and body language give no hint at what she was feeling on the side. To show none of the fear, or anger that she felt so strongly. Her back was straight, her eyes were forward, and she did not look down or nervously grip at her hands or twitted her thumbs. "Lets go home Neji." She said in her usual soft voice, all though it had none of its usual stammer. For once she was not afraid of her cousin. For once she felt that she could stand up to him.

Neji was surprised at his cousin's new found strength. It went against everything he thought he knew about Hinata. He believed that she is not strong in anyway, that she could only stutter weakly in front of others. It made Neji pause if only for a second. Then he said "Get in the car Hinata." Neji said his voice low in his throat.

Temari was also surprised by Hinata's change, but she was also happy and proud. 'Good girl Hinata. Now just don't loose this strength and you'll be fine.' Temari though with delight as she saw Hinata was not backing down.

Hinata went to the car, got in the passenger side and buckled in. She was very proud of herself but did not let it show. She knew she still had to look tough.

Watching them drive off, Temari returned to her home then by Kankuro's side on the couch. Aware of everything Kankuro asked his older sister. "Are you going to be the one who tells Gaara you let Hinata go?"

She nudged him in the ribs and added. "He'll understand." Temari assured.