Gaara took Aiko back to the balcony. It was still quiet out. Once they were there, Gaara walked to the center of the balcony and sat down on the ground. Aiko looked at him curiously. He extended his hand out to her. She blushed and smiled, but walked over and placed her hand in his. She sat down with him.

For a while, they sat together in silence. They were close though. They leaned back and looked at the night sky. It was peaceful and soothing. Aiko was comfortable and she felt sure that this was right. She was supposed to be here with Gaara.

He had never imagined he would be in this kind of position. Aiko was so close to him. Usually he made people nervous, but she gazed up at the sky like he was not even there. His presence did not hinder her or cause her fear. He watched her watch the sky for a moment.

Aiko looked up and met Gaara's turquoise gaze. She smiled at him. Then, he leaned down and gently kissed her lips. She put her hand up and touched his cheek, happily returning his affection. She felt her heart beat faster.

Gaara pressed into the kiss more and before long, they were kissing more passionately. Aiko felt herself easily give in. He put his hand against her jaw, holding her close. This new and exciting feeling was amazing to Gaara. Part of him felt like he could not get enough. This passion was something he would normally never express. He had passions. He felt passion. He had just never expressed it so openly and freely before.

They parted, both feeling a little overwhelmed by themselves and each other. Aiko looked over at Gaara. He had looked up at the sky, but then looked down at her. She blushed and looked down, smiling shyly.

Gaara smiled and put a hand up to Aiko's cheek. He moved some of her hair away from her face and she looked up at him again. She was still blushing but her smile seemed less shy now. As he looked at her, he began to realize something. He felt that he should protect her. He always felt that way because she needed his help.

It was different now. He thought about Rock Lee. He thought about a conversation they had when Kimmimaro had been defeated. "You have someone in your life whom you honor and revere so much that every hurt on them, is inflicted on you as well. And the closer they are to you, the greater the pain." That was what Gaara had said to Lee. He had felt sad. He had craved a feeling like that. It seemed to be such a powerful thing.

It was. Looking at Aiko, he could tell he had it now. There was no doubt. He would always protect his friends. He did not want them harmed, even in verbal senses. This was a more powerful sensation though. He felt that she could hurt him the most of all.

"Gaara?" Aiko asked. He had been looking at her and the look grew more intense over time. It was making her nervous. "Are you okay?" She asked him with worry in her tone.

He cleared his mind. "Yes." He said calmly and nodded his head once at her.

Aiko was not sure if she believed him. She looked at him with skepticism. It was hard to tell with Gaara. He was always so cool, calm, and collected. He could hide it without effort if he was feeling something negative.

He could tell she was not completely convinced. He was not sure how to convince her though. He truly was not upset. He had just been a bit surprised. It crossed his mind that maybe he should just tell her about that incident. Then he thought of something else.

Gaara sat up and Aiko did so as well. Then he took her hand. He relaxed himself and opened himself up to her. He wanted her to see those memories. He wanted her to see what he was thinking. This was also his way of demonstrating trust. He trusted her enough to show her these things.

Aiko could see clearly. She saw, from Gaara's perspective and memories, the battle between him and Kimmimaro. She saw how Kimmimaro revered the man Orochimaru. Then she saw the conversation between Gaara and a Konaha leaf ninja. It was touching to see.

She pulled herself from the memory, understanding now why Gaara had been staring at her. It made her feel joy and sadness to realize what it meant. He had been thinking about how Aiko was that person for him now.

It was strange. She had nested into his life so quickly and unexpectedly. It was known to her before she came to Suna, that Gaara was important. Even before she knew him, she realized he was important, she just couldn't make sense of why. Now, things were beginning to make sense.

In all honesty, Aiko could not deny that Gaara had the same hold on her. She felt the need to protect him too. It wasn't that he needed it really, but if she could save him, even if the cost was her own life, she would do it. She would not allow hurts inflicted on him. It would drive her mad!

She smiled and closed her eyes. "How quickly this gained such power." She commented.

Gaara looked at her. She did not seem all that phased by his strong feelings. In fact, she seemed to understand them all to well. "It is the same for you." He said quietly.

She nodded. "Yes. It really is."

He wondered if she worried about him hurting her. If she felt the same way, then surely he had the same ability to cause her great pain on his own. He never wanted to do that to her. He never would. If he did, he was not sure that he could ever forgive himself.

"Are you afraid?" Gaara asked her finally.

Aiko looked up and smiled. She seemed so sure. "No." She did not fear him hurting her. Even in before they met, he protected her. She saw him doing so many times in her dreams. Since they have met, he had protected her. He had reached out to her. She was so sure. Gaara would never hurt her.

He smiled. He looked pleased but he felt relief over everything else. The last thing he wanted, was for Aiko to be afraid. He wasn't sure about how he felt. He thought about it, and it was strange to suddenly feel so vulnerable. It was something that he normally never felt. Now, it was a constant thing.

Even with that uncomfortable weakness, Gaara decided that he didn't care. If he could have Aiko, he would deal with the vulnerable feeling. Perhaps, in time, he would not even feel it anymore.

Aiko adjusted herself and sat on her knees. She looked at Gaara. "Are you afraid then? I mean, I'm pretty dangerous you know." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

He smiled, realizing that she was trying to tease him. She was too sweet. She had an optimistic nature. He could tell that she trusted him completely. The vulnerable feeling that she had did not bother her because of her certainty. He envied that about her.

That envy turned out to be helpful at least. She would never hurt him. His mind was suddenly feeling much more at ease. "Even so, you are no danger to me by choice." He said with a smile to Aiko.

She smiled. "I'm glad you know then." Then she leaned forward and kissed him softly on his cheek.