Leo: Hey guys, it's been awhile, before you maul me I want to explain. The school year was coming up and I have a lot of stuff going on, our family's moving halfway across the country and I'm getting ready for high school so I just really needed my focus. I'm sorry I left for such a long time. I can't promise that there won't be gaps but when I'm inspired, I will write. That much I can tell you. I HAVE kept writing but I haven't posted. Again I'm really sorry guys.

And so…I will do the disclaimer. *le gasp*

Leo does not own Naruto, including the movies, the games, and the merchandise. Nothing. At all.

Before we start I got a lot of PMs asking why Misaki knows Gaara so well, this chapter should clear it up, ne? It was one of the ones that got deleted when I edited.

Leo: Start! :D

Third Person's POV

Flashback to the tower in the Forest of Death

Misaki walked into the tower looking for Shikamaru and her team. (A/N: Now that the 2nd part is done, she's not on the same team as Kiyoto and Riichirou anymore.) What she didn't expect to find was a certain red-head.

He seemed to sense her presence because he turned to look her way, Misaki, realizing she was staring blushed as she discovered once again how handsome he was. Still blushing, she turned and stalked in the opposite direction.

Gaara's POV

I frowned as the navy-haired girl stalked away after turning red. Misaki, if I recalled correctly. I couldn't place what seemed so…calming about this girl. She didn't have eyes like everyone else. She didn't look at me in fear like Kankuro or Temari. She just seemed…curious. I scowled pushing the thoughts to the back of my mind. Who cared about some worthless Leaf shinobi. There were plenty of stronger people in this tower, I could fight.

I turned in the opposite direction she was headed and walked down the hall looking for a rooftop.

Night time

Misaki's POV

I finally worked my way around the tower memorizing its halls until I stumbled onto a flight of staris that seemed to lead to the roof.

"What the hey, why don't I take a trip to the roof?" I mused to myself before I climbed the stairs and opened the door leading onto the roof. I took in the cool surrounding of the might admiring the stars and enjoying the absence of the moon, I always like it when the moon wasn't out. It seemed to make the stars brighter.

"Who's there?" I heard a husky and slightly raspy voice call out. I turned my head to see a head of red hair and the familiar silhouette of a gourd. Gaara.

"Misaki Tsukimoto at your service." I smiled for some reason I felt more at ease during the night. Gaara didn't seem as threatening to my mind. "Minf if I keep you company?"

Gaara turned his head just enough to look at me. He seemed perplexed almost confused as to why I would want to keep company with him. Honestly, I didn't know either.

"Hn." He hummed.

I made my way towards him and plopped down next to him inhaling the somehow soothing scent of sand mingled with a metallic scent I soon recognized as blood.

"Why are you here?" he asked staring at something in the dark. I blinked a few times.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He seemed impatient as he glared at me, "Why aren't you avoiding me like everyone else."

"Why would I avoid you?" I asked.

"I'm a monster." He deadpanned. I looked him over he didn't seem to be monstrous in anyway.

"Well…what makes you a monster?" I asked curiously. He looked my way a long pause went on before he began.

By the end of his long monologue, I knew everything about his past from the playground to Yashamaru. We sat in a long silence for awhile.

"I don't think that makes you a monster…it just means that you had some pretty crappy people in your village. They didn't even give you a chance." I said bitterly. "I'm sure if I was from Suna I would've been your friend."

I didn't look Gaara in the eyes but I could feel him staring at me. I slowly turned to look at him, he looked almost shocked.

"So let's be friends, okay?" I said weakly, I felt a bit awkward being stared at. He looked at me for awhile before he looked away.

"Hn."

And with that I got to see a part of Gaara that no one had seen before.