Enigmatic Words

Disclaimer: You should know what I own: Nothing!

AN: If the whole Hinata acting weird thing seems drawn out, that's because it is. I've needed time to figure why she's acting weird myself. I know, pathetic. I don't even know what's going on in my own story. Hey, I forgot my plot in one of my other stories. That's not a good thing apparently. Anyways, we have a word from my editor!

EN: Here's how Lighty picked out the killer, I was there: her little sister gave us each a daisy. Lighty starts picking off the petals saying 'he is the killer, he isn't the killer'. And no, I'm not telling you who the killer is! R&R!

Hinata sat on the desk, her feet on the chair. She wasn't looking at him, but at her hands which were toying with the hem of her skirt. The demon was leaning on the wall opposite of her, watching and waiting. He wouldn't rush his angel. If he did, he might frighten her away. She was so fragile.

"The reason I've been acting weird is," Hinata began but broke off. She tried again. "It's because…"

"Take your time, angel," the demon ordered. "There is no deadline."

The angel closed her lavender eyes and took a few deep breaths. Finally, she opened her eyes and looking at the ground, she began to speak quickly and quietly.

"It's the brands. As long as I still have them, I belong to him. He can track me. The brands are almost like curse seals. If he wanted to, he could cause me immense pain. It wouldn't be that hard.

"All of that I've known since he placed these marks on me." She placed her hands on shoulders, indicating the brands. "What I don't get is why he's not making me go to him."

The angel appeared to be lost in thought. Gaara decided to ask his question. "He can make you go to him?"

"Yes. It's a part of the brands' make up. They act almost like a leash, to keep me restrained.

"He's not taking the easy way, like he's always done. When he wanted his rapture, he tried scare tactics instead of earning my trust. It was just easier for him. Instead of making me come to him, he's coming to me.

"All he needs is me dead, since I refuse to give him his rapture. He doesn't even need to do it. That's why he can send assassins. If he was just sending assassins, it would make sense. But, he's coming."

Hinata looked up at Gaara, true fear in her eyes. She was scared to death of her old master. The demon longed to know what he had done to inspire such fear into his angel. That man would pay for it in blood. Gaara wanted to hate this man even more. He wanted the hate to run through his veins. He wanted that man to pay. Death would be a relief for that man. The demon hid all of these emotions behind a cool façade. His angel need not know what he was thinking.

"What are we going to do?" Gaara asked her.

"'We'?" she sounded faintly amused. Like a someone trying to laugh on their deathbed. "He is my responsibility. He belongs to me just as much as I belong to him. I have to deal with him. I could never accept help from a demon."

She tried a sad attempt at a smile, but failed miserably. Tears ran down her pale cheeks as sobs shook her small frame. The demon walked over to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He expected her to turn away from him. Instead, she buried her head into his shoulder.

There were no words the demon could say. There were no words that the angel expected. It was enough for him just to be there. Neither of them could voice the words that ran through their minds.

"I'm scared," Hinata admitted after her tears stopped. Her face was not visible, so the demon could not see her expression. He didn't know that it was one of serenity. Accepting fears was hard, but was for the best.

"I know you are. What are you going to do about it?" They both knew his real question was what was she going to do about him.

"I'm not sure. Keep hoping and preparing. The signs could be wrong." She sounded hopeless as she said the last few words.

"You know they aren't."

She didn't answer. She couldn't say that she was beginning the hope that she once had. Who wouldn't, in her situation? Without hope, she knew, she would fail. She had to stay hopeful, but it was so hard to do in such a hopeless situation. Staying with a demon had begun to take its toll on her.

In her silence, the demon realized that she had lost some of the little weight she had. Was this all too much for her? She was too fragile. Too pure. She didn't deserve to be given such a harsh fate as the one she had. Would her fate break her? Would he break her? Would her master break her? He smoothed her hair, since no words were quite right.

The angel moved her head up and came face to face with the demon. They were so close. He kissed her first, but she returned the passion. They both knew that it was wrong. Angels should only kiss their own kind or their demon master. Gaara was neither. It didn't discourage either of them. In fact, it almost encouraged them.

When they broke apart, Hinata said, looking at the ground, "We shouldn't be doing this."

"What?"

"K-Kissing. It's not right."

"There are not rules against it, are there?" Gaara knew quite well that there were rules.

"I can only kiss my own kind or him."

She let the words hang in the air. She tried to pull away, but he merely tightened his grip around her. Gaara contemplated her words.

"Rules are made to be broken," he argued half-heartedly.

"Not these rules. They can't be broken, bent, or gotten around. Or forgotten. The penalty is too high." She bit her lip.

"I'll pay the price."

Hinata was surprised by his answer. He would pay the price? "You would give up you life for this?"

"Yes." His tone was blank and unfeeling. Little did Hinata know that his voice always got like that when he discussing the things that went through his mind. His dangerous mind.

Hinata was extremely unsure of what was going on. "Why?"

"Angel, how blind are you? You can't see it? It's so obvious." His tone was one of mock outrage.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, nerves starting to rise. He didn't, did he?

Gaara grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes. "You know why. I know you feel it."

"I don't know what you're talking—"

"Save it. Since you won't say it, I'll say it. Listen carefully, understand?"

Hinata protested, "You don't have to say it! Please, don't say it!"

"I have to say it." His face was unreadable.

"But—"

"Angel, I love you."

AN: So, Gaara's said it. Why didn't Hinata want him to say it? How will Hinata react? And, of course, who is Hinata's master? All this and more in the next chapter! Well, you probably won't figure out who the killer is for a few more chapters. I hope that this was in my normal writing style. I was listening to Within Temptations 'The Silent Force' (Love the CD, just got it yesterday. Totally worth listening to. "Angels" rocks!) and it puts me into an angst-y, poetry mood. That's usually the mood I aim for when writing this story. Anyways, R&R! I'll try and update soon!