She hated waking up like this; hardly remembering the previous events, but she did appreciate the fact that Gaara was there when she woke up. "Hi Gaara-kun," she greeted, yawning a little bit.

"What happened to you?" the red head demanded bluntly, his arms crossed and gazing over at her expectantly, like that first day she woke up here.

"What do you mean? Nothing happened."

"People don't just faint without a reason Hinata," Gaara growled, and the way her name was said sent shivers down her spine and not in a good way.

"Well I do," she huffed, pushing herself out of bed and into their bathroom. Gaara followed her and thankfully she only had to brush her teeth, seeing as she had just woken up (a habit that had gotten beat into her, literally).

"No, you faint out of embarrassment or fear," he insisted angrily, and she didn't understand the problem. She was silent for the two minutes of brushing her teeth, aside from some gurgling, and once she was finished, she headed towards the door.

"I'm going to find Tobi and Deidara," Hinata informed the furious red head, and the comment only helped make matters worse.

"What does she want with those two pedophiles anyway?" Gaara grumbled to himself once Hinata was gone.

You thought they were fine up until she got comfortable around them Shukaku stated, a teasing edge in his deep voice.

Shut the fuck up. It's not like that at all.

Don't worry kid, no need to make excuses; we're in the same boat.

We're always in the same boat; you're me.

I know you don't believe that kid.

With that, the conversation between the boy and his demon ended and Gaara went on an expedition.

XXX

"Hinata-chan! I haven't seen you in forever! Tobi's been a good boy and waited for you!" the dark-haired male shrieked, causing the young girl to giggle; there's just something about a grown man yelling like a teenage girl that makes her laugh.

"It hasn't been that long Tobi-kun," she said awkwardly, patting his back as the man hugged her tightly and started whining.

"Get the hell back to the table Tobi; we're about to start a new round! Want us to deal you in Hinata-chan?" Deidara asked, acting like he did not just man the other man cry a few seconds ago.

"I will join your game." When that one sentence resonated around the room, everything went silent.

"Hey Gaara. It's been a while." No one could decide on whether Naruto had a death wish or if he was just plain stupid. "Do you wanna hang out with me and Sasuke?" Most likely that second choice.

"No, I wish to play this game," he growled, never letting his eyes leave Deidara.

"The hell you are! I invited Hinata-chan to play. Not you!" the blonde bomber yelled indignantly. Now he just had a death wish.

"Please Deidara-kun, just let Gaara-kun play," Hinata whispered, not wanting to have to deal with anymore yelling; she hated yelling.

"Fine. Do you even know how to play Texas Hold 'Em?"

"I can learn."

A/N: I'm so sorry for the lack of updates (and when I get the chance, short ones), but I am completely blocked. Does anybody have any ideas?