*~2 months later*

Hitomi was sitting on the roof of her apartment. She couldn't sleep, so she had decided to just sit outside and look at the stars. Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. She turned around to see . . .

"Gaara!" She ran over and hugged him.

"Hello Hitomi. It's good to see you."

"Yeah you too. What're you doing here?"

"I was sent on a mission along with some Leaf ninjas. We just returned and I was going to find an inn to stay in. But then I saw you on the roof . . ."

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep. *thinks for a moment* You know, getting a room would be kinda difficult at this hour, y'wanna just crash here?"

"Well, if you don't mind. It will only be for tonight. My plan was to return to Suna tomorrow, after visiting you, of corse."

"Oh it's no problem at all! Come on, you can sleep in my room. I'll sleep on the couch."

She lead Gaara into her apartment and to her room. Gaara took one look at her king size bed and said:

"Hitomi, why are you sleeping on the couch when you have a bed big enough for five people?"

"Well . . . umm . . . I don't know."

"We can share. I don't mind."

"Ok then."

They crawled into opposite sides of the bed. Gaara fell asleep almost instantly.

Hmm. Must've been really tired from his mission. Hitomi thought.

She, however, still couldn't sleep. After laying there for about 20 minutes, she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist. She looked over at Gaara as he pulled her close to his chest, still asleep. She smiled, and felt herself blush. She wasn't falling for her best friend, was she? Well, he was cute, and she felt so warm and safe in his arms . . .

Hitomi smiled to herself as she drifted off to sleep.

*Then Next Morning*

Hitomi woke up and Gaara was already awake. His arms were still wrapped around her.

"Hi Gaara," she said.

"Oh, good morning Hitomi."

He blushed and removed his arms from around her.

"Sorry, I just . . . well, I didn't want to wake you . . ." he said.

"It's ok. Did you sleep good?"

"Yes. Very well thank you."

"Good!" She smiled.

They got up and had some breakfast. Unfortunately, Gaara had to leave right away. Hitomi walked with him to the gates of Konoha.

"Hey if you're ever around don't be a stranger, 'k?: Hitomi said to him.

"And if you are ever near Suna, I expect you to visit too."

Hitomi wrapped Gaara in a hug. "See you later, Gaara. I'll miss you."

Gaara slowly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.

"I will miss you too, Hitomi," He said as a smile crept across his face.

Then, he turned and started back for Suna. Hitomi stood at the gates and watched him leave.

Wow, he actually hugged me back! she thought, And he smiled, like, a real smile! Not that 'I'm gonna kill you' grin! She smiled to herself. He's starting to get it. He's no monster.