For the next few days, Gaara managed to gain Hinata's trust. She smiled at him, and held his hand and usually accompanied him whenever he went on his daily rounds around the village. She was curious about a lot of things and wouldn't hesitate to ask him about the things that piqued her interest. She sometimes even dragged him to places she wanted to explore.

He grew fond of her in turn. He had a difficult childhood, and from what he's heard, Hinata felt that as well when she was young. Having the chance to act as a young kid again had somehow put them at ease. Of course, in Gaara's case, it was hard to ignore the many pairs of eyes watching you as you sit on the sand and try to build a sand castle, but he found that he didn't care.

Right now, they were at the balcony where their unlikely friendship started. They were supposed to wait for the meteor shower but Hinata had fallen asleep.

Gaara smiled softly as he stared at Hinata. He brushed her bangs away and lightly kissed her forehead. He wanted her to be with him, as Hinata, but at the same time, he didn't want her to go back. Why? Because he was scared.

Yes, Gaara was scared that once Hinata goes back to her normal age, she'd just smile at him, and leave him. He didn't want that. He didn't want her to become just friends with him. He didn't want her to go back to Naruto. He didn't want their relationship to go back the way it used to.

The more logical side of his brain was telling him that Hinata wasn't that kind of girl. That she wouldn't just forget the times that they spent together even if she wasn't herself at the time. But that didn't really stop him from worrying. He knew Hinata loved Naruto, and now that Naruto was aware that he somehow feels the same way, would she go to him? Would she readily accept him even after leaving her here? Maybe if he had a good explanation, Hinata was sure to take his pitiful self back.

He was pulled away from his thoughts when he saw a single bright streak in the sky and he knew that the meteor shower just started. He looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms and wondered whether or not to wake her up. But knowing her, her of right now, she'd throw a tantrum when she wakes up and blame him for not seeing the meteor shower.

He gently shook her awake and he watched in fascination as she opened her eyes. He didn't understand it, but the time that Hinata came out the most, was usually when Hinata wakes up. As she blinks at him drowsily, there was something in her eyes that Gaara knew was her usual self.

"Gaa-chan..?" Hinata asked as she rubbed at her eyes.

Gaara smiled and he propped her up.

"It's starting."

She soon became fully awake as that enthusiasm only a child could possess coursed through her veins. She happily pointed at the stars and laughed and cheered and she was in a state of such happiness that Gaara couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.

She then looked up at him, their eyes meeting..

"Gaa-chan… have you made a wish yet?"

Said red-head's eyes smiled but shook his head.

"I don't believe in wishing on falling stars."

Hinata pouted, "Why not?"

Gaara slightly tilted his head to the side at the question and quickly contemplated on his answer, finally, he turned to look back at Hinata and told her, "Because. They've lost all will to stay in the sky, why would I entrust my wishes to them?"

He was surprised at how quick Hinata answered as she replied, "They only fall so they could be closer to us. Our wishes are our most precious of desires, and something that precious should be handled with love and care."

Gaara blinked.

Hinata smiled at him and she leaned back on his chest and continued to watch the skies with enthusiasm.

Gaara smiled as well and placed his chin atop her head, careful not to rest too much weight lest she gets hurt.

He turned his eyes to the falling stars and decided that it wouldn't hurt to try.

"I wish… that she wouldn't leave me."

Hinata woke up to the bright sun. She sat up and groggily looked around. She was back in her room in Suna. A frown appeared on her face as always whenever she remembers that Naruto wasn't there with her. She idly wondered where he had gone since she was a bit worried, but she quickly brushed it off and decided that she'd rather be angry with him rather than worried.

She looked around and found Gaara propped on the chair. She smiled. He must have brought her there and fell asleep as well. After all, he did stay up late just so they could he could watch the meteor shower with her.

She jumped down on the bed and made her way towards him.

She watched as his chest heaved up and down with deep steady breaths. She brushed away his bangs and brushed her fingers gently across her scar. It brought her back to that day when she had hidden in his office.

It wasn't so long ago, but she remembered just how scared she was of him; how that image of blood raining always came with his eyes. Her heart always echoed in her ears in fear. She knew he changed, but that didn't stop the irrational fear that she had of him.

But now, here he was, sleeping soundly a few centimeters away, and she wasn't feeling any fear. The only thing she was feeling right now was this sense of security and comfort.

He murmured something in his sleep and Hinata backed away, thinking that she woke him up. But seeing that she was mistaken, she stepped closer again, straining to hear what he was saying. She giggled quietly, who thought Gaara talked in his sleep.

"Don't leave me…" Gaara whispered and Hinata's eyes widened, she wondered who was it that he was talking about.

His eyes then opened and they were staring at each other, drowning in each other's gazes and very much like that day, Gaara could only see the older Hinata, staring at him with bewilderment. He grabbed her hand and placed it above the spot where he could feel his heart beating.

"Don't leave me…" he repeated and Hinata smiled. She squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead.

"I won't"

Okay dokie. So it's been a month and a half. I don't think it's that bad this time… is it? I'm hhaving problems with the plot that's why I took so long, but after brainstorming, I think I've got a decent storyline. I'm not making any promises on updating faster so yeah…

Hope you guys like this! GaaHina ftw! Hehe, with Naruto temporarily out of the picture, it's easier to write about them. Hehe.

You give me reviews, I give you cookies. It's a win-win. Please..? You know you want the cookies.

Until the next chapter then. :)