Hello all. Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! (And in case its another day. HAPPY DAY!) Anyway here's the next chapter. (smile!)

"Get up or get killed."

"Y-yes sir.." Hotaru groaned, lifting her white eyes to his, she cracked her fingers, secretly actually doing symbols.

He didn't let her, he smacked her in face.

She flew across the room, slamming backward into a brick wall, blood crept down, "Uh.."

"GET UP!" He was losing his patience. He stepped in front of her, "Learn feel pain. It will only trouble you."

I'm not a big fan of pain. Hotaru thought numbly then closed her eyes to drift away.

Hotaru shifted her head to the side, groaning to herself. She opened her eyes and realized she was in her bed, she sat up, "Wha-?"

"See the problem with you passed out," Gaara was sitting in a chair, right next to her bedside, she made a slight "Ah!" when she saw he was there, "is Sakura usually cooks. And when she cooks… I might as well starve to death." He frowned at her. "Took you long enough."

She was about to reply but she ended up coughing up blood, she covered her mouth.

Gaara bit his lip, his body had been yearning for blood for the past few days. To see it.. Feel it… Taste it… He quickly got up and grabbed a towel, leaning her head back and covering her mouth.

She let her hand drop, continuing to cough.

Gaara watched as she violently shook.

She finally stopped and cleared her burning throat, "Thanks." She said dry and hoarse.

He wrapped the towel and put it on a nearby counter.

She felt on her forehead, "H-How long was I out?"

Gaara handed her a glass of water, "3 days." He said lowly, "I found you on the floor."

She drank it to the drop, then said breathlessly, "You came in my room?"

"I heard a thump. Then you were screaming earlier."

"Screaming?"

"Ok maybe it was a gasp but-" He said this quick. "… look are you ok?" He looked her in the eyes. White?

She widened her eyes then rubbed them, "Uhh well yeah." She sneaked a look at him again, Shit..

He squinted at her again, White eyes? Kind've like Hinata but-

"I don't have white eyes." She grabbed his wrist out of nowhere and gripped it, "I-" She looked at him hurt, like he said something so offensive. "I-I don't..have.."

"Hotaru.." He grabbed her wrist and instead of yanking away from her he made his fingers go between hers.

She lowered her head. "I.."

Gaara didn't know what he was doing, these…feelings.. They… he brought her closer, lifting her head by his finger, "Hotaru.."

She lowered her eyes.

"Whos Eze-" He started.

"Hotaru!"

They separated, Gaara getting up and pretending to look out the window, he blushed.

Hinata had a tray in her hand, cup of water, plate of some food, a knife, fork and spoon.

Naruto, who was behind her, flicked on the light switch.

Hotaru flinched from the light then looked up at them, "Heyyy." She said at first in annoyance then into her usual happy voice.

Naruto threw his hands in the air, "YES! SHE'S ALIVE!" He started laughing like a mad scientist.

Hotaru felt around for something to throw at him. Gaara saw this and handed her a book.

"Thank you sir." She threw it, hitting him smack on the head.

"OW! Hey what the hell!"

"Your giving me a headache."

Hinata set the tray down on the end table beside her, "Um.. Here you go Ms. Hotaru.. And I have learned about two healing Justus.." She bowed a little.

Hotaru smiled, "I'm glad. Hows it been?"

Naruto dug in his ear, "Time sure flies…"

Hinata nodded.

There was silence.

Haruto smirked, "Well I don't want to kick you out but… I'm tired so.."

Hinata pulled Naruto's arm, "Oh!" She started to go out the door, "G-goodnight Ms. Hotaru."

Naruto got dragged out.

Gaara looked at Hotaru, wondering what to say now.

But Naruto came back in, did a playful glare at Hotaru, grabbed the tray and went out the door again.

Hotaru rolled her eyes, "Baka."

Gaara lowered his eyes, This is..-

Get out you fool. She will only hurt you. The voice sent out chills and stabs at Gaara.

Gaara grabbed his head in pain, "Get out.." He mumbled..

Hotaru limped out the bed, backing him up on a wall, "Be still Gaara."

He strained, grabbing her arm to push her away, "Get away from me!"

You're a monster Gaara. Die…Perish and demolish back into hell.

He grit his teeth, sand rising in anger. "Get.."

Hotaru slammed him into the wall, holding his hand to the wall with hers, she tippy toed to his ear, "Sna sni fa gon so no e zoo."

Kill her!

Gaara started to fight back, he was stronger and she knew it. He slowly began to back her up.

She pushed more, "Out! Get out! OUT!"

KILL KILL!

He pushed her on the bed, sand peeling off his back and circling the air. It formed a shape of a hand.

She was about to get up but he got on top of her, holding her down by the wrists.

"Gaara wake up! You are your own person! FIGHT!"

He rolled to his side, sand falling to the floor now. He gripped his head, "Argh!"

She breathed out calmly, slapping her hands together.

An echo followed.

He continued to groan, "I… I can't!"

You will never get rid of me Gaara. As long as you're a alive. As long as you're a monster. I will-

She blew out a single note. A whistle.

It was piercing yet beautiful. Painful but healing. Loud but soft.

Gaara calmed, letting his head lean back, he opened his mouth, an evil aura whispering out. He coughed out.

Hotaru looked at the dark small cloud. She bowed in respect, but her eyes showed hatred and fear.

It just gave an evil glow then disappeared in air.

She gripped her dog tags, Hes.. Back…

Gaara struggled to breathe and looked at her, "W-What happened?"

"Gaara… summer is almost over.. The energy shield should be weak.. You should go.."

"What happened?" He rose himself up, trembling from weakness, "That voice.."

"Gaara go.."

"Hotaru.. What-"

"GO!" She got up, staring at him coldly.

He glared back at her and got up, "Tell me."

"I said go.. Go away."

He managed to get up, "Hotaru."

"Go.. Please.."

Hey wait.. She started crying. "Hotaru?" He went to her but ended up holding on her, trying to keep standing. "What the he-"

"That.. That.." She shook, "He's back… And.."

"Back? Who?" He felt sand creep up his leg. He looked back down, Summer is almost over..

"I know.. But you said yourself you didn't even want to stay so.." She mumbled off.

Gaara raised his sea blue eyes, So?

"So you should go back to your sister… she's waiting… and she's worried.." She answered to his thought.

"My.. Sister.." He straightened, "should be fine by herself.."

"But-"

"What's troubling you.."

She chuckled, her last tear falling to the floor, "Men today. Always in demand and wanting to know everything.."

He waited.

She frowned, still gripping her dog tags.

He noticed and pulled her hands apart, scanning her tags, "These?"

She shook her head, "My life.." She closed her eyes, "That's the only thing keeping me alive."

"Why?"

Her eye twitched and she looked up at him, "I'm not ready to say yet.."

This annoyed him. "Fine." He crossed his arms.

Which made her smirk, "I see your finally wearing a shirt."

He nodded and closed his eyes. Acting like his usually self now.

She looked at him again then clung her hand on his shirt, "Hey Gaara."

"Hmm?" He looked a little tired.

"I can show you."

This made him open his eyes. He looked at her with question.

"Love.." She smiled out, "Before summer ends… We should just forget everything that happened. And act like we're in love."

He didn't understand.

"You want to know what love is right? What it feels like? I can show you…"

He thought about it, "But what happens at the end of summer?"

"We forget. We act as if nothing happened.. It will be just another experience in life.."

He wasn't sure. But he did want to know what love was. What it felt like and all that. He always saw Temari and her boyfriend laughing, having fun and holding hands. Also his brother, he was always out and it was always with a girl.

She laughed, "Don't worry. I won't get all clingy at the end asking you not to go. I don't believe in love anyway."

"I don't believe in love either." And it was true. He didn't. Even if he knew what it felt like. He knew that he wouldn't believe in it either way. It seemed too painful. But still. It struck him in curiosity to know. Just to wonder. He felt pain often yet never felt love. How unfair. He thought.

Unfair? Hotaru raised an eyebrow, Damn its hard to read his thoughts.

Gaara did a slight nod, "Fine…Deal.."

Taa daa Another chapter done. And if you don't know what Hotaru meant by the deal. Just ask me and I'll explain. Ok Buh-bye. (does another weird dance then nods to self)