The snake shot forward, missing Hinata's arm by inches. She didn't waste anymore time trying to be cautious as she scrambled back to her feet.

"GO!" Hinata shouted pushing Tenten ahead and slamming the door behind them.

Tenten frantically grabbed her arms making sure to exam every inch. "Did it bite you?"

"N-No," Hinata replied breathlessly.

"Cousin!" Hinata jumped, it was Neji running up the steps. "We heard screaming, what's going on?"

"Neji!" Tenten shouted, nearly throwing herself at him.

"Tenten, wha – ?"

She cut him off. "No time, there's a snake in Hinata's room!"

"A snake?"

With all the chaos no one could make sense of what was going on.

Hinata glanced past Neji, instantly recognizing Gaara's voice. "It's a rattlesnake," she informed.

"Wait here." Without hesitation, Gaara opened her door.

"No!" Hinata tried to stop him, but the look he held froze her in place. It was a stare so terrifying she didn't have words to describe it. Anger didn't begin to do it justice. All she could do was watch before he shut the door behind him.

Please be alright. She held her breath, praying he wouldn't get hurt.

Seconds painfully slipped to minutes before Gaara finally emerged with the, now headless, snake dangling limply from his hand.

"Gaara!" Hinata cried out.

Neji clapped mockingly."Nice work."

Later, after Gaara disposed of the snake, all four teens gathered somberly in the living room. Gaara sat on the far end of the couch with Hinata and Tenten, while Neji propped himself against the wall by the front door.

Hinata was the first to break the silence. "I think... it might have crawled in through the window,"

Tenten nodded her head in agreeance. "We forgot to close it after we went to bed. It was probably just trying to find somewhere warm away from the storm."

Hinata glanced towards her cousin, he was giving Gaara a skeptical look. Surely they didn't doubt them? It's not like they invited the slithering creature in for tea and cookies. She had a soft spot for animals but not that soft.

"What?" Hinata demanded.

"It' nothing," Neji stated, clearly not willing to talk.

Hinata felt anger well up inside her. Maybe it was because she was so tired, or that lately she couldn't get a break, but she was sick of the secrecy. "Where have you been all day anyway?"

Neji shifted uncomfortably against the wall.

"We've been so worried about you we –

"It's none of your business." Neji snapped glaring at Tenten.

Tenten recoiled, clearly hurt by his words.

"N-Neji!" Hinata admonished . Where did he get off acting like that? They were just concerned about him. She felt he owed them an explanation.

Tenten stood up, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "It's fine Hinata, thank you for having me. Next time we can stay at my place, if you want."

"Wait," Neji said, clearly frustrated.

"Don't," Tenten said forcefully. "I'm done, Neji. We had no idea what was going on with you, not to mention how you've been acting and this is how you choose to behave? Fuck you."

Tenten forcefully pulled open the door. Wind and rain forced itself into the room.

"Tenten, hold on." Neji quickly moved behind her and slammed the door shut.

"Let go!" She said through gritted teeth. She pulled hard on the knob, but it wouldn't budge.

After a minuted she huffed but stopped struggling. Neji stood close to her back, his forearm pressed hard against the door above her head preventing her from moving backward or trying to escape through the door.

"Let me out," she fumed.

"Please," Neji whispered. Any anger that he once felt had vanished. He let his arm slide from the door and gently hugged her close to him. "Don't leave. It's still storming. Stay here, I'll take you home in the morning. Just don't," he paused, taking a shaky breath, "leave me tonight."

Hinata quietly stood up. Wanting to give her cousin some privacy, she went into the kitchen.

"Are you alright?" Gaara had followed her.

She let out a weary sigh. "Just . . . tired. It's been a long night. Would you like something to drink, or eat maybe?" It was late, but she didn't want to be rude.

"No, I'm fine."

"What about you?" Now that things had settled down she had a moment to notice Gaara. He looked so worn out like he hadn't slept in days. But then again, he did just decapitate a snake. "Where did you and Neji come from anyway?" So many questions flooded her mind. She wasn't giving him a chance to answer. "Had you been with him all night? Tenten and I have really been worried about him. I've tried messaging his phone. I swear if he's been ignoring me –

She didn't have the energy to continue.

Gaara's face was void of emotion. "Neji was with me, yes. Unfortunately we lost track of the time. "

Hinata frowned. "Lost track of time?" That didn't sound like Neji at all but from what little she knew of Gaara she had a feeling she wouldn't get anymore details from him, he was just so secretive. Neji was too, but being her cousin who lives with her, he did owe her an explanation. What was going on with everyone? Her head began to throb uncomfortably as the start of a tension headache worked its way up from her neck.

Gaara sensed her uneasiness, his brow furrowed with concern. "I heard you've not been feeling well. Are you alright?"

"Just a headache." She squinted her eyes against the kitchen light.

"Cousin?" Neji popped his head in the kitchen. "Tenten and I are going to go to sleep. Unless you'd rather her stay with you?"

Hinata caught a glimpse behind Neji, Tenten was blushing trying not to make eye contact. She forced a smile. "No, go ahead I'll be fine." She was relived her and Neji seemed to have patched things up.

Neji gave a rare, genuine, smile. "Thanks. Goodnight, we'll see you in the morning."

"You should also get some rest." Gaara urged Hinata to her feet, leading her from the kitchen to the stairs. He stopped when he noticed her hesitating at the bottom.

"I think," She rubbed her arms softly. "I'd rather sleep on the couch."

"The couch?" Gaara repeated, not understanding.

She nodded shyly. "We have blankets down here. It'll be fine."

Thunder clapped causing Hinata to shudder with fear. She tried to laugh it off. "I thought the storm had eased up. Are you going to go home?"

His eyes gently softened at her frightened appearance. "I was going to, but you're afraid, aren't you?"

Her silence confirmed it.

Gaara exhaled loudly like he was struggling with a thought. "Honestly, I don't want to leave you alone tonight. If you're alright with it, I'll stay here."

"You'll stay with me?" She was unsure she heard him correctly. True, she really didn't want to be by herself and there was no way in hell she was sleeping in her bedroom.

Gaara smiled faintly. " I will."

By three in the morning Hinata was finally ready for bed. She had a few blankets and a pillow, but her and Gaara sat awkwardly together on the couch, unsure of what to do.

Gaara cleared his throat. "You sleep on the couch and I'll sleep near you on the floor."

"What?" Hinata stood up when he did. "No, I want you to sleep on the couch, I'll sleep on the floor."

An amused look spread on his face and Hinata giggled from the frivolous dilemma. But the lighthearted moment quickly passed as lightning flashed and thunder roared again. The lights flickered for a moment before succumbing again to the storm.

Fear gripped Hinata as she took hold of Gaara's shirt. "I'm sorry" she cried as she quickly released him and fumbled back to the couch. "I'm normally not this much of a child." Tears stung the corner of her eyes. She couldn't see his face in the dark to know what he was thinking but she felt the couch shift from his weight. She gasped when he wrapped his arms around her slender body and pulled her to him.

He rested his cheek against her head as he spoke. "It's alright, you're just tired and I know you're still shook up. That snake could have killed you." He embraced her harder as more words rushed out. "On top of that, I'd say you're still struggling with your feelings for Naruto. Neji told me how you've been coping. You want to be fine again, but it still doesn't stop the pain, I know, believe me." Gaara trailed off as a misplaced emotion began to well up.

Hinata stopped trying to hold back her tears, she felt miserable. He thought this was about Naruto? Of course he wouldn't think anything different; since her and Gaara met everything had been about Naruto. There hadn't been anything to suggest otherwise...

She freed her trapped arms and wrapped them around his waist. He stiffened against her touch but slowly relaxed. She buried her face in his chest and breathed in his familiar earthy smell, it was so comforting.

They remained quietly embraced before Hinata mumbled. "It's not Naruto,"

"What?" Gaara leaned closer to her face.

She lifted her head. "It's not Naruto that I've been missing, it's you."

"You've," he struggled for words. "missed me?"

She wanted to see his face but the darkness prevented it. "Yes. All this week, I hadn't heard from you. And Kiba said you weren't at school any except for Monday. I did, I missed you and I was troubled, especially when you made me leave so fast that night at the park. You looked as if something bad was going to happen. Can't you tell me what's going on and why Neji was with you tonight. You must know why he's acting so strange."

"What makes you think I know what's wrong with your cousin?" he asked.

"I don't know for sure, but I have a strong feeling that you do."

Gaara took a sharp breath. "I'm sorry Hinata, really I am but there's nothing to tell."

"Nothing to tell, or just refuse?" she challenged.

Hinata imagined Gaara closing his eyes from irritation like he had done so many times before. Her frustration was valid regardless. "Understand," he urged, "Neji's business isn't mine to tell."

She sighed and rested her head back against him. "That's exactly what Neji said too. But, it's hard, knowing that there's possibly something happening and feeling so useless unable to do anything. If you guys are in some kind of trouble I can help."

Gaara laughed darkly.

"You don't think I could?" She felt hurt.

"It's not that, I don't doubt you would try." He leaned forward to grab the blanket from the end of the couch. Hinata released him and stood up. She still couldn't see but didn't jump when he grabbed her wrist. Gaara pulled her back down with him. He reposition so he was lying down with his back against the couch. He guided her down so she was facing him, their bodies pressed tightly together. Gaara laid his arm out to rest his head against his shoulder while he let Hinata use his upper arm as a pillow.

Hinata was glad the electricity hadn't came back on. She didn't want Gaara to see how bashful she was. This was the first time she had ever been so close to another person, and that other person just happened to be Gaara!

She yawned and wondered if Gaara was going to finish his thought but exhaustion was quickly setting in. Hinata's eyelids fluttered but she couldn't stay awake, her breathing became heavier as she drifted off to sleep.

Gaara whispered, careful not to disturb her. "If I could tell you everything I would. I want to ease your mind. But would I be able to hold you again like this if you knew about the past I'm running from?" He gritted his teeth taking caution not to rouse her. "If the time comes when you know everything and we go our separate ways will you still miss me like you say you have?" Gaara used his free arm to wrap around her back and hold her tighter to him. "That snake was no accident, and I don't know what I would do if I lost you because you innocently got involved with someone as wretched as me..."

It was a struggle but Gaara managed to shut off his racing mind. He would worry about everything tomorrow, right now he just wanted to be near her. These feeling scared and confused him, but if only for tonight he wanted to bask in it.

"What in the hell is going on here?!"

Hinata's eyes shot open from the booming voice. She fell off the couch frantically trying to untangle herself from the cover and Gaara's hold. It didn't take long for Gaara to waken. Sensing the tension, he darted up, unsure if the intruder was a threat or not.

"F-Father," She shook free from the remaining blanket around her foot. "You're home!"

"Father?" Gaara repeated, feeling dumbfounded.

Hinata gulped. Could this situation look worse?

"Who's there?" Neji and Tenten came down the stairs. His eyes widened with surprise. "Hiashi! You're home!"

Hinata groaned. She had forgotten all about Tenten still being here, of course it could get worse. Maybe it wouldn't have looked so bad if Tenten wasn't wearing one of Neji's shirts and . . . his boxers . . . ? Really. She mentally shook her head feeling embarrassed for her friend

Hiashi's eyes shot from Tenten to Gaara then onto the two Hyugas. "Someone had better start talking, now."

Gaara glimpsed at Hinata and whispered. "S-Should I go home?"

"I don't think so young man. You're already here, after all. No need to leave on my account." His authority was abundantly clear.

"Yes, s-sir." Gaara grimaced and looked down his face turning red from the awkward situation.

Hinata wanted to laugh at Gaara's unusual demeanor, but thought better of it.

Neji raised his hands defensively. "It's a long story, I can explain. But I promise it's not as bad as it looks."

Hiashi exhaled loudly and rubbed his temple. "I need some coffee."

"I'll get it!" Hinata grabbed Gaara's arm and scurried off to the kitchen.

"Are you – no, are we in trouble?" Gaara asked.

Hinata tittered nervously as she pulled the coffee from the cabinet. "Hopefully not. As long as Neji can help him understand the situation."

"Oh my God, I am mortified." Tenten came into the kitchen holding her face in her hands. "Out of all the times your father could have come home it would have to be now."

"It's not uncommon for him to come back from time to time, but it is unusual for him to come back unannounced." Hinata smiled sympathetically

Tenten blushed. "I hate to ask, but I don't suppose you would possible have something more decent I could wear?"

"Of course, go up to my room and get whatever fits."

"Thank you!" Tenten hugged her before dashing off. "You're a lifesaver."

"So you're father stays gone most of the time?" Gaara asked.

Hinata nodded. "That's right. But to tell you the truth I really don't understand exactly what it is that he does. I know he's involved with a lot of business meetings for his company and that keeps him gone a lot. He even goes to other countries. You should see some of the things he brings back for us."

"I see." Gaara hadn't put any thought into Hinata's livelihood. He remembered that one night when Hinata told Temari about her mother dieing but Gaara guessed her father was doing fairly well. They didn't really look like they wanted for much and it was obvious Hinata wasn't the materialistic type. He found himself feeling relieved she was taken care of, even if her father did stay away often.

"You expect me to believe there was a snake in her room?" Hiashi's voice came closer to the kitchen. "It's nearly the end of October. There aren't going to be any snakes around here."

"Honestly, it's the truth. I thought it was weird too, but I'll show you. It's in the trash can." Neji said.

Hinata's face twisted with mild disgust. "You disposed of it in the trash? Why not outside?"

Gaara shrugged, not willing to talk now that her father was there investigating the evidence.

"I'll be damned." Hiashi exclaimed. "You were right. I'm sorry for doubting you, Neji."

He smirked. "It's fine. It was an easily misunderstood situation."

"I guess I should be thanking you." Hiashi patted Gaara hard on the back knocking him forward. "However, next time why don't we all try sleeping in different rooms instead of you taking a small couch with my daughter."

"Of course, I apologize for the circumstances." Gaara shifted awkwardly away from her father.

Hinata sighed. Even though the air was cleared she was sure her dad would still give Gaara a hard time. "Well, now that the power is back on how about some breakfast?"

"I think," Gaara started. "I should be leaving now."

"Nonsense." Hiashi gripped Gaara's shoulder. "Come on Mr. Hero, stay a bit longer. Hinata is a pretty good cook, nearly as good as her mother was."

"I believe you, but I really need to be leaving." He tried to pull away from the man's grasp. "My siblings don't know where I am, I don't want to worry them." Gaara hated how touchy this guy was.

"Please don't pick on him father." Hinata removed her dad's hand from Gaara. "Come on, I'll walk you out."

"Another time then." Hiashi extended his arm.

Gaara extended his in response and shook the others hand. "Of course, sir."

Hinata walked outside with Gaara. The storm had finally cleared but the smell of rain hung heavy in the air.

Hinata bust out laughing when Gaara exhaled. "Are you alright? You look stressed."

"Do you blame me?" Gaara felt somewhat shaken. "That's not exactly what I would call a good first impression. The guy had never met me and the first thing he gets to see when he comes home is me sleeping with his daughter."

"True." Hinata smiled. "But your intentions were honest. I know you wouldn't have tried anything."

Gaara raised an eyebrow. He advanced closer to her until he had her pinned between him and the house. He spoke with a thick voice. "What makes you say that, I'm still a guy after all."

"I know," Hinata shifted uncomfortably from the sudden closeness. "but not all guys are that way, and I'm sure I can trust you. You've done nothing for me to believe otherwise."

Gaara's eyes shifted from side to side as he took in all of Hinata's face. "Trusting me is a mistake."

Hinata, still pinned, stood up straight to meet his gaze. "I don't believe that. Even if you refuse to tell me what's going on, you must have your reasons." She shocked both of them by gently pressing her lips to his cheek. "Please, just know that you can come to me if something is wrong. Also, I can't thank you enough for all you've done since we've met."

Gaara looked like he was holding something back but instead he backed away. "If you feel better, that's all that matters."

She hoped some of the blood had drained from her heated face. "I should let you go now... Will I see you at school Monday?"

"Don't worry, I'll be there.

She smiled softly waved goodbye and went inside...

Gaara touched his cheek where the warmth from her kiss lingered. If she only knew what she was doing to him. The war that raged inside him was tearing him asunder.

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own

A/N Just a few quick things to mention:

1: If anyone has noticed Hinata not stuttering in this chapter it was intentional! I don't like constantly typing it, plus Hinata never really actually stuttered in the anime, that I remember. Hopefully no one will care too much about it. I'll go back and edit the previous chapters as well just for consistencies sake. But aside from that there won't be any other changes made to already uploaded chapters.

2: I know Hiashi (Hinata's father) is probably pretty OOC but I didn't want a real strict serious version of him for this story. Sorry for that, but it's what I wanted to go with, I'll try to make it not badly annoying.

3: Disclaimer: the song in this chapter is I'll stand by you by the pretenders. I don't own!

Hope everyone is still enjoying this story, I know I've had a lot of fun with it so far. I want to thank everyone for all the reviews and such. Keep em coming. All comments positive and negative are welcome. I've been trying to get into the habit of personally responding to all my awesome fans who review. So expect personal responses as my gratitude :D