Chapter One: Between two books

With time, he knew when to come and when not to come. Thanks to his odd hours of working, Gaara had the chance to come to the library at the hour when it was almost empty. Few people there and there but not that many. A group of teenagers in the romance section, an expecting couple in the family section, three friends in the manga ones but no one where he wants to go – the fantasy section.

Oh, there was someone. He didn't see her as she was crouching trying to find a book. Hmm, cute.

Her hair was in a messy bun, letting him see her figure. She was short, even shorter than him. Her hair was a beautiful black, even some strikes of blue. She was wearing some large dress going over her toes, he was sure she would fall if she doesn't pay attention.

Whatever.

She seems like an adult, she could always catch herself. No?

Mouving his eyes from the woman, he starts to look at the book selection in front of him. Plenty of stories he already read and plenty of stories he doesn't want to read. Some of the new books miss the thrills and plot. He hates to say that kind of shit. Make him sound older and jaded. Plenty of new books that came out in the last years were amazing with pacing to die for. The new generation of writers grew up with anime, music and any kind of film at the tip of their hands. And they took it and create from it. Artists from his generation had more mediums and opportunities. Even himself, every clients brings different story, different bodies and more importantly, their touch. He always requires clients to do a drawing —even a shitty one —, to leave their trace, their soul. They entrust him with their body, and he is proud to do it.

Back to the book. Maybe he will give that author, Darui, a chance. Black Lightning. Why not. He heard good reviews and advice about it. Even Lee told him to try it. He had to give him a chance.

When he was reaching for the book, he heard the young woman trying to get up. Trying was the key word here because she did really not pay attention and was in fact, not able to get up and catch herself. Without thinking, he turns over, catching her in his arm. Now that he could see her face, he really thought that she was that cute. A princess face with a Hime cut, round white-ish eyes but not blind, voluptuous lips, and minimal make up that does suit her. He kinda likes her. Could have fun with.

At the end of the aisle, he heard the teenagers squawk at the scene. He did catch her like in the fucking romantic film Kankuro watches.

"Th...Thank you..." she said with her hand attached to his shirt

"You're welcome"

And with that he put her on her feet, his hand still on her hip, feeling her. Her hand was also still on him, and with the blush across her face, he could tell she was definitively feeling him. That was a boost to his ego.

When she took her hands back, she tried to take composure, making some distance between them. He keeps watching her as she raises her hand to take a book before holding it out for him. That was weird. He must have made a puzzled face because she explain herself with a small and honey voice.

"Hum...I saw you searching for a book and I thought about this one, it's one of my favourites since childhood. I reread it at least once every months…"

Hum, The Tale of the Byakugan Heiress by Hizana. Interesting. He never read it, nor passed before it. Could be interesting.

Keeping the book she gave him in his left hand, he reach out for another one a little higher on the shelf.

"Here", he said when giving it to her. "My favourite also. I think I read it when I was twelve or thirteen. Something like that"

"' The Starfall of Shukaku', oh, thank you so much. I would love to read it ! ...Thank you for trusting me with it."

"That way, we both read and next time we will talk about it."

"Next time?"

"No?"

"Yes! I mean… yes, I would love that,..hum…"

"Gaara. And you are?"

"Hinata. It's nice to meet you Gaara. I can't wait to read it and talk to you about it."

With one arm open and the other slightly touching her back, he signals her to move to the register with him. They went to the front of the library in silence. Himself just looking in front of them, with his hand still on her back. She didn't say anything, so he hopes she doesn't mind — and hopefully, she enjoy it —. She, leaning into him, was watching the book he gave her smiling like a little kid you just gave candy. It's rather adorable. He can't believe himself. Finding a random woman "adorable".

Fuck, when was the last time he has been with someone? Let alone a woman.
Maybe she would be done for some fun or a drink.

Once they arrive at the register, he took both books and give them to the woman behind it. After paying and ignoring Hinata's pleas, he took a pen on the counter, and write down his number and a note on her book.

"Here. Text me when you want. See you another time, Hinata."

"Yes...Gaara. See you" she said with a small wave of her hand keeping the book close to her.

Before he left the boutique, he heard the old woman telling Hinata how lucky she was, how hot he his and how he never talk to anyone when he comes there. Silly old woman.

Outside, he took the nearby bus to his place, where his brother was waiting in the kitchen cooking tonight's meal. Looking at the book, he read the fourth cover page.

"During the Warring State Era, the eldest daughter of the head of the Hian clan, was the one to carry her family throughout the war."

Could be interesting. He will see that tonight.

"Hey, took you long enough. Sasuke was there waiting for you, he wanted to talk about you taking his place at the parlour. I told him you will call him when you come back. So go take a shower and call your friend."

"Stop talking like that. I will call him later. What are you doing?"

"Stew. I wanted some since last week."

"Going to the shower."

After leaving his brother to cook, he went to his bedroom, tossed his phone on his bed and went to the shower. After a short shower, he came back and went straight to the kitchen and ate with Kankuro while watching an episode of a Chinese series. After that, he went and call Sasuke for about five minutes. He wanted to spend next Monday with his girlfriend for their anniversary. No worries, he had nothing planned for next week. Yet.

When he ended the call, he went to draw for his clients for tomorrow. He had five clients for the day – two small, half an hour to an hour at most each. Another he was supposed to finish in three or three and a half hours and the last, a back piece for a woman wanting to remember her brother — a whale and flowers —. He had to work on the floral composition so it could be perfect.

He work until he heard Kankuro banging on his door to go to sleep because "it's three in the fucking morning."

Already? He looks at his phone and sees three unread messages from an unknown number. He unlocks his phone to see messages from Hinata, hours ago. Fuck.

From unknown at 20h15: Hi Gaara ^^! It's Hinata from the bookshop. Thank you again for the book, I'm starting it tonight. Would love to see you next weekend over some coffee or tea for talking about the books and other things.

From unknown at 20h16: picture attached.

Oh, she sends him a photo of herself in her bed with the book. There was absolutely nothing sexual or suggestive about this picture. But damn. She was too innocent for sending a picture with sexual undertone but she was hot.

Her smile was contagious he have to admit that.

From unknown at 20h45: Obviously, if you want to. I do not want to impose myself.

Gaara was maybe not the brightest when it came to human relationships but he know too well that his lack of answers was putting her off. So he decides to answer now. He first took a photo for her as well. Should he put on a tee shirt or will it bother her to see him shirtless? He doesn't see what's wrong with sending a photo of him like that. He took her book who was waiting on his pillow.

The phone on his hand, a leg raised and the book in the other, he took the picture and send it to her.

From Gaara at 03h10: picture attached.

From Gaara at 03h10: I am sorry for responding only now, I took too long working on my work for tomorrow and didn't see the time. I am only stopping now. Going to read your book a little before going to bed.

I would love to see you next weekend over a drink, your choice. I should have read it by now.

After sending the last message, he lies down with the book and read a dozen of pages in one sitting before feeling his phone vibrate on his chest.

From Hinata at 03h25: Oh, your tattoos are amazing. I didn't know you have some.

From Hinata at 03h25: It's okay I understand you had to work.

Oh, so his tattoos attracted her? Good thing.

From Gaara at 03h26: Did I wake you up?

From Hinata at 03h27: No don't worry. My little sister barge at midnight to "celebrate my grand return". She just fall asleep

From Gaara at 03h27: Your great return? Did you just move back to Japan?

From Hinata at 03h28: Yes! I was in Australia for some years. I used to work there but I move back because of some family problems.

From Gaara at 03h28: I see. If you wish we can talk about that, if that is something you're comfortable with.

From Hinata at 03h28: You are adorable. But it's okay, at least for now. But we could talk about it during our date.

Date? Is that what it is? A drink is now a date? Well, he does find her interesting, cute —hot —, with good taste in books. He could do it.

He can do dates.

From Gaara at 03h30: Will Saturday afternoon or night work for you for our date?

From Hinata at 03h30: After 17h yes! I have a work meeting at 15h.

From Hinata at 03h30: I was afraid I scared you when talking about date. My sister put it in my head when I told her about you.

From Gaara at 03h31: Who has work meeting on Saturdays?

From Gaara at 03h31: I am more on the scary side than the scared. Don't worry about it. I would not have given you my number if I was not interested.

From Hinata at 03h31: The school I just started at. It's the meeting before the new semester.

From Hinata at 03h32: I don't find you scary…

From Hinata at 03h32: … you are interested?

From Gaara at 03h32: Yes I am interested in you. And I want to meet and know more about you, Hinata.

From Hinata at 03h32: I am also interested in you, Gaara. And I want to know you more too. Can't wait to be Saturday ^^!

From Hinata at 03h33: I'm sorry but I'm starting to fall asleep. See you tomorrow Gaara

From Gaara at 03h33: Good night Hinata. See you tomorrow.

They spoke for more than twenty minutes and he wasn't bored or annoyed. She really is something else. After putting the book down, he put her picture as contact photo and close his eyes.

Hinata... she is sweet.