..Chapter Ten..

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Crystal lavender orbs scanned the hallways as her lithe form rounded another corner on the bottom level. No matter how many times she walked the checker floored halls she still couldn't get over how many rooms this place had. I mean, even with 200 hundred students paired in rooms that was still one-hundred rooms. And then there was all the classrooms, teacher offices, an auditorium and a slew of other special rooms she'd never been into. For instance, other than the auditorium the school had smaller staged rooms for the less than bigger events.

How had she managed to get around the first day?

She supposed it was only due to the simple floor plan of the building. Even if you'd never been here it didn't take a rocket scientist to understand the numbers on the doors and guess the basic ways to go.

Which is why, you can imagine, she was becoming so perplexed as to why she could not find the room with her private vocal coach. She'd even looked at the school map on the wall with no luck whatsoever. This was starting to be a pain if there ever was one.

"You lost?"

Hinata turned swiftly to see who was addressing her. They were talking to her right? It's not like there were any other lost people in the hall. In fact it was empty. She smiled as she realized it was Sai. "Yeah, kinda."

He smiled, his eyes closing slightly as he stepped towards her. "S'ok, beautiful. I'll help you find your way."

She blushed slightly. Sakura was right, if she weren't so shy he really would have given her a complex. "Thanks..."

"Where you off to?"

She glanced down at the instructions. "Hm... room H-00."

"No wonder you're lost," he said this with a small chuckle.

She arched a brow at him, curious.

He explained. "The room you're looking for is actually on the roof. You need me to take it to you?"

The roof, huh? Well damn... she'd have to go back all those flights of stairs. Inside she was groaning in a very unladylike manner. "Nah, I think I can manage the stairs one more go."

"Stairs?" Sai smirked slightly, like he knew a secret she didn't. "Why not take the elevator?"

Her eyes widened a bit. "There's actually one here?"

He laughed. "Yeah, it's not on the map because that," he pointed to said map on the wall, "is about as old as you and I."

"Oh," she said with a blush.

"C'mon." He motioned for her to follow. "I can show you to that at least, luv."

She suppressed another blush. Why did the guy insist on calling her cute pet names? But, Sakura did say he was a romantic. Apparently a flirt too.

"Here you go," he said as he hit the button. The wooden doors slid open.

To Hinata it'd looked like just another set of double doors. She supposed it added the anesthetics of the place. "Thanks again," she murmured, shifting her instrument over her shoulder.

"No problem, hun." He gave her another grin and a wave as the doors shut.

She smirked somewhat. It wasn't a common facial expression for her as it denoted confidence. But hey, who could blame her? Sai was adorable with all those comments. If he weren't such a playboy, if she wasn't such a shy girl and if she wasn't more interested in a certain red head she'd probably ask him out. But, he was a playboy, she was shy and it seemed the only man who made her tummy flutter had red hair with a demon enough attitude to go with it.

She leaned her shoulder into the elevator wall as it sky rocketed upward. She found this odd simply because it was the only elevator in school and classes were out for the day. Did no one need to go anywhere?

She shrugged as the bell dinged, signaling she'd reached the rooftop. As the door opened her senses were assailed by the rich feeling of the wind on her face and the smells of the city. LA, to be exact. She could almost see the beach with her eyes closed just from the vapors of salt alone. She let another moment of serenity pass before heading towards the small building on the roof.

She'd come early. At least fifteen minutes in hopes of seeing just what Temari was referring to. Everyone said Gaara played like a demon. Was it true? And if so, why? Was it merely a description of how he played or how he looked when he played? Or was it both?

She pressed in pale bare digits into the door as she turned the knob. Between the first set of doors and the next was a small lobby. The doors before would swing open with little resistance. She heard a clear banging noise that sounded a lot like drums and paused a moment.

Breathe, Hinata, breathe she told herself. It was just Gaara right? It's not like she had anything to worry about. She'd seen him at his very worst--defending her of all things. Certainly seeing him play drums could not compare to such a scene in the horrible man's room. Right? Right.

She pushed the door the rest of the way open and entered. At first she glanced about for the instructor and saw none. And then as that loud, penetrating, heart stopping sound hit her hears she just allowed her gaze to slowly drift upward. It seemed like time moved at milliseconds as her eyes moved up to the stage. Slowly... slowly... slowly... and then her eyes met with something she'd never quite dreamed of in all her wildest fantasies. It wasn't even that he was shirtless... or sweating... or ripped... Really, it wasn't, although Lord knew it did nothing for her sensibilities.

It was how he moved, it was the passion he just... exuded as he played. It was how utterly wrapped he was in the music he was beating out. He moved like a demon. Like a god. Like Satan himself. They'd all been right. And yet... so utterly wrong at the same time. He was beautiful. He was lovely. He was bated breaths and midnight heat. His music spoke so soundly of his own personal fire. anger and rage, that you just couldn't look away.

Did he see her? Had he noticed her at all?

Somehow she managed to glance around the room one more time. It was already after seven and there was still no instructor. She pursed her lips a bit and looked over at him. At the moment there was no other music playing besides his rapid beats on the drums. There were no others sounds but the echo of his out of control beast.

Now, Temari had said not to bother him while he played. She said it could end up badly for her. And really? Hinata didn't like the idea of stopping Gaara anyway, even if it was ten minutes past seven already. However... she smiled... Temari hadn't said a damn thing about joining him.

Had she?

Not thinking he would notice her anyway, Hinata walked towards the stage and stepped around him and the drum set. She found a patch chord on the ground and scanned to where it hooked up. Sure enough, the same wires that led to the mics around his drum set also led back to the chord on the stage. She grabbed a chair from nearby and sat down on the other side of the stage, not but about five feet away from him. She pulled on the long neck that made up her electric cello. She always smiled inside the first time anyone saw it. Because honestly? That's all the damn thing was. A cello neck and nothing more. Being electric it didn't need all the acoustically added weight.

She set it on her thigh and plugged it in. The normal 'bong' sound was made over the beat of the drums indicating she'd hooked up her instrument. She took in a deep breath and exhaled as she picked up her bow and held it a half inch above her strings. She got this way everytime. It was like the calm before the storm. The heat before the sun rose. Some said Hinata was just not the same person when she played her beloved cello. She didn't understand it herself. But this was her passion.

And so, with one more bated breath she began. It took her a few moments but she found herself playing easily in sync with his beat. They seemed to fight for the sound a while, as though trying to understand just who was the lead in this impromptu song. Hinata was smiling. It was exilerating, it was passionate, it was almost...

If one really wanted to describe it...? Not that she knew of course. But, really? It felt like they were making love through music. It was something Hinata had never experience before. It felt so intimate and natural all at once.

When she finally dared to open her eyes she found him staring at her, panting and beating away. She couldn't ignore that gaze and refused to stop. Was he daring her? No, that wasn't like Gaara. Gaara did not dare her.

Did he?

She couldn't help the smirk that laced her lips as she picked up speed on the notes. She almost laughed as his face seemed to falter. Like he couldn't believe she'd just done that to him. But, it was so much fun! Flirting with him through musical notes. Like they were speaking a secret language all their own that no one would ever understand.

It went on for a while and finally, with a half grin... wow? He grinned? Seriously? It almost had her loosing her frame of mind and placement of her fingers. She managed to contain it though and did not falter. She smiled back, grinning after a while. Especially when he let her take the lead and set his pace behind her. She laughed. She couldn't help it. No one would ever understand them.

Ever.

It was a thought that comforted her. Gaara and her never needed words to express how they felt. Words were so... simple... so easy to confuse and manipulate. But music? Music was something different. You could never mistake the heat of a note or the rise of one either. Each sound, when placed together, had their own unique meaning and it was always clear to her.

She held back and let him lead for while. and it went back and forth like that for while. She'd let him change the beat and lead the tune and then he'd turn right around and let her take over next. It was like a dance. And unplanned one, but a dance all the same.

And when she finally nodded she was done he nodded in return. They finished off the sound with a power chord and stopped. she was still grinning and staring at him. So much so she didn't notice the audience until they started to clap. She blinked and looked around the room. How many people were there? Oh dear... what had they started?

ooo

The damned timer had went off again just around when he normally stopped. He knew that meant it was about five minutes until seven. Five minutes until he had no choice but to stop. Would he? He didn't want to. This was one of the few places he could play and not be bothered. At least not until he was done or until his brother tried to stop him.

He grunted, angry at himself for thinking too much and closed his is eyes and he fell back into his lone sound. He didn't feel the need to plug in the back up music so his beat had something to play along to, to follow. He'd thought about it, but, for whatever reason hadn't wanted to today.

He felt the rush, the heat, the way his blood flowed though his system everytime another chord jumped up just beyond him. It made him want to go faster and catch up. It wasn't the same this time. It wasn't like the normal back up music playing over the amps. No, this was something more. This was like a duel. A fight for sound, for leadership of the notes.

It took him a moment to realize no one should have hooked up the music today. He hadn't.

He looked over to his right and the sight that assailed his senses was entirely new.

Gaara had seen many people play before. He'd seen many people play cello before. He'd even seen people play an electric cello. To say he was taken aback by the sight of little Hinata playing such a powerful instrument---electric at that---was an understatement. He felt his heart speed up and he couldn't help but meet her sound. He couldn't resist trying to push her buttons a little, if even only just through sound alone.

It was.... fun. Like a game of cat and mouse. And before he knew it, he was grinning. Him! Grinning. Grinning like a mad fool and staring at her over the power chords around him humming through the air.

What was so different about playing with her over anyone else? What made him feel like he was... understood? Music was a language. A series of emotional expressions only heard through sound. Did she know this was well as he did?

He found himself going back and forth with her. Sometimes she'd take the lead and sometimes he would. The transitions were impeccable, much to his surprise. Were they that in tune after only playing for a little while?

Amazing...

He saw the tired look in her eyes and nodded at her to stop. His arms were starting to ache anyway. She nodded back and they finished off the song. He held her gaze even until the last note and his lips couldn't help but twitch slightly as they stared at one another. He barely contained his jump when he heard clapping.

The fuck?

Aw hell... it seemed they had an audience. A rather large one at that. Were there any teachers about? Meh... he looked at the time on the wall. It seemed Anko had never shown up. If she had she's probably just turned around and left. If Hinata had lessons with her after him it meant Gaara would have to stop playing on time.

No matter.

He grabbed his sticks and cleaned himself up all the while ignoring the loud talking in the room from the students. His shirt was slid on and he glanced over at Hinata. It seemed like she'd just finished up around the same time as him. He quickly gandered over at the group of 'kids' and then back at her. They weren't paying attention thank god. He reached out as he stepped towards her and grabbed her hand. He felt her jump slightly and held in a smile as he 'drug' her through the crowd.

And as he expected they all parted like the Red Sea. They were staring at them. They always stared at him. But... this time they weren't just staring at him. No... they were staring at Hinata. Hinata and their joined hands.

And he didn't mind it one bit.

ooo

"Um, Gaara," Hinata whispered as they made their way down the hall. He didn't hear her. She stared at his back. "Gaara," she said a little louder this time. Finally, after calling his name twice with no success she tugged on the hand in hers. She hadn't gauged just how hard she'd pulled him because when she did, he hadn't expected it. He turned slightly and his chest bumped into hers. "Sorry," she whispered and she placed a hand on his chest, as if trying to steady him.

He caught her as well, his free hand latching around her upper arm as he looked down at her. He stared down into her cool lavender depths and found himself at a loss for words. Not that he needed to cover that fact up. He was always quiet.

Hinata stared up at him and her eyes---she couldn't help it---drifted to his lips for only a moment. Did she want to? Did she dare? Would it be right? After all they shared together would leaning up and catching his lips in a perfect kiss really... be too forward for her? Her breath caught and she looked up into his eyes once more.

Gaara held that gaze, even as it drifted to his lips. Did she want him to? Did he want to? Could he? Would it hurt? It was one simple kiss after all... No, kissing was never simple. Not with Hinata; the girl he was too fearful of hurting... too fearful of seeing those pained filled eyes on his... directed at him.

And yet the urge was so powerful.

He swallowed and leaned in, still unsure of exactly how to execute this heart crashing action. Would she hate him for it? Would he do it wrong? Would she laugh at him? Nervousness rushed his body and he felt a shiver run through him as his lips brushed her own.

Hinata inhaled sharply. So close... so close. He was going to do it. She was going to do it. He wanted to and so did she.

...

Tonight out on the street out in the moonlight

And damn it this feels too right

It´s just like Déjà Vu

Me standin' here with you

So I´ll be holdin`my breath

Could this be the end?

Is it that moment when

I find the one that I spend forever with?

...

It took one more hairsbreadth of a movement. One more centimeter of her closing that distance and she was slowly kissing him. For while it seemed like he had no idea as to what to do. And then she heard the sound of drumsticks hitting the hard tiled floor with a clang. At at the same time the hard case that held her cello was falling to. And she didn't care. She didn't give a damn...

because... because Gaara was kissing her.

It was electric, it was heaven, it was hell and utopia. It was every emotion she'd ever felt all boiled into one. She cried out softly as he wrapped his arms slowly at first... and then tightly about her body in a death grip. Like he was too afraid to let her go. Too afraid if he did she'd see him for what he really was.

Oh, Gaara... she thought in her mind, I do see you, just not the way you think. He wasn't going to break her. He wasn't going to hurt her. Couldn't he see that?

She caressed his lips with her own, meeting him toe for toe, tongue against tongue. In the heat of their fury teeth nicked against each other once in a while. It was soft, warm, tender and yet demanding all at once. His kiss filled her senses and took her to cloud nine. His arms holding her like his life depended on it made her feel precious.

She was like an angel, his mind rattled. A fallen angel who'd held him under her spell with those damning eyes. She made him feel human. She made him want something more for them both. She made him feel weak and possessed by her perfect serenity. She calmed his soul and brought out the beast in the him at the same time. A tamed creature he couldn't call the same in her arms. He was subservient to her needs, her mouth.

He had to stop... and he didn't want to. He just couldn't. When this moment was over he might not get another.

"Ahem..."

He ignored it. Whoever it was would get the hint and leave them the hell alone.

"Gaara..."

He felt Hinata's fingers tangle in this his wet locks and pull him closer. He was definitely going to ignore it.

"Stop ignoring your sister!"

He blinked and opened his eyes. That jarred him out of his dream state. He pulled back slowly, feeling heady and looked down at Hinata. She was reaching up, touching her lips softly. His lips twitched as he looked down at her, not releasing her; loath to let her go. His cold aqua hues drifted up to Temari, eyes not so kind. "What?"

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AN: Ok, so I was wrong. Mushy stuff next chapter! -sticks tongue out- 'Least you got a taste this time. And honestly I felt it was warranted. Thanks to all those who are reading/reviewing/favouriting/alerting/ect...