Some of you were wondering why I start school so early. It's because my school gets out on June 5th and goes back on July 25th. Sucks, doesn't it?

Also, do to some health problems ((see my profile if you wish to know what I mean)) I might be a little late updating, but I'll try my best.

I was also thinking of starting a C2 for Hinata romance based stories, but I am not sure yet. If you want me to and are willing to help me with it, contact me.

Heads up, Shukaku's text will be different than before due to the fact every time I used it screwed my computer up. So instead it will be in Italics.

BTW, thanks marsnmonkey for the idea about Shukaku and Gaara talking. I didn't know how to start this chapter off until you said that. Thankies!

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Chapter 5: Job

Stupid boy, listen to me!

"Why should I?"

Damn it boy! Do as I say!

"Hmph."

Have you forgotten that it was I who gave you life? Have you forgotten that it was I who made you all-powerful?

"Have you forgotten that it was you who took my mother's life? Have you forgotten that it was you that made me a monster? Hated and despised by everyone?

Who needs a mother? Who needs to feel accepted and loved? Who, boy?

"I do."

Gaara sat atop the Hokage's office, looking down upon all of Konoha. He could make out Temari and Shikamaru walking through the streets, Naruto eating at his favorite ramen restaurant, and numerous other people he knew going on with their daily lives.

Looking to his left, Gaara could make out the apartment building where he and his two siblings were staying at for the time being. Their father, the Kazekage, had ordered them to stay in Konoha for several months to strengthen the renewed alliance between Suna and Konoha.

He had just been released from a meeting with the Hokage in which they had discussed pressing military problems that Suna was facing. After the Sand Village's failed attack on Konoha, their already small army was almost completely gone. With the help of the Leaf Village, a promising rise in Sand shinobi was not to far off.

Sighing, Gaara leaned back against mast that bore the Konoha flag. His gourd lay off to the side. With nothing to occupy himself with, Gaara was faced with the problem of having to hear Shukaku's ranting.

His "obsession", as Gaara had begun to call Hinata, was busy working in the Konoha Hospital so there was no way he could watch her without being noticed. Nothing else was interesting to do in the Leaf Village, so Gaara had to occupy himself with observing the setting sun.

Gaara was suddenly hit with a wave of intense pain. Gripping his head, he let out a hiss as the demon inside of him flared in anger.

Listen to me when I am speaking to you! You are weak if you wish that pathetic girl of the Hyuugas to hold any affection for you!

Growling, Gaara gritted his teeth in frustration. 'Damn it! He heard me thinking about Hinata.'

Of course I heard you, idiot! I am you and you are me. We are the same person.

"No were are not! We are two different people. You are just a demon inside of me that has ruined my life."

Ruined your life? Oh my idiotic boy, you are the one who ruined your life. You had no friends so you sought comfort in me. By doing so, you were the one who caused so many people to die.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Gaara gripped his head as Shukaku spoke to him.

You know it's true, Gaara. But, perhaps, one of the murders that you will commit will be because of me.

"What do you mean?"

I mean the death of the Hyuuga girl whom you've seen to have taken a great interest to. She clouds your thoughts and you become weak. You follow her everyday and you went as far as to kiss her. That is unacceptable.

"No, I wont let you hurt her. Even if she has no concern for me, she has given me a purpose."

A purpose? Ha! What could purpose could that weakling give to you?

"To protect her from you."

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Hinata looked out the window of her and Sakura's office at the Konoha Hospital. Her elbows rested on the windowsill and her chin nestled on her hands.

Her shift was to be over soon and she had no patients to tend to at the moment. So here she was, with apparently nothing to do for the next 15 minutes or so until Shizune told her and Sakura they could go home.

But about 10 minutes ago, Hinata had discovered something to pass the time by with. And that was observing a certain red headed Sand nin.

She had seen him throughout the entire day, sitting above the Hokage's office. Hinata hadn't had the time until recently to watch him and she found she was enjoying herself.

She found him both handsome and interesting. She hadn't spoken to him since their first meeting in the forest and Hinata wasn't sure if she ever did want to talk to him again. 'Damn me and my shyness,' she cursed herself.

Gaara sent chills through her every time she saw him, even from afar. He made her heart race just like Naruto used to, but now it raced with 5 times the speed.

Hinata knew that it had been Gaara who had taken her home after she had fallen asleep the night before. When she woke up, it was obvious because there had been sand all over her floor.

Smiling, Hinata walked over to her desk where her forehead protector lay. Brushing her fingertips over the symbol of a leaf, Hinata picked it up and tied it around her neck.

Her gaze then fell upon the two pictures on her desk. One was her with Tenten, Ino, and Sakura in front of the main gate. The other included herself, Kiba, Shino, and Kurenai-sensei. She had no pictures of her family.

That saddened her, for when she looked over at Sakura's desk, she could see at least 3 of her parents and other relatives.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Sakura walked in. She seemed upset and worried about something.

"Sakura, what's wrong?" Hinata asked, in her timid voice.

"Shizune just gave me a job to do, but even though if it's really simple and easy I'll be late for my date with Naruto if I do it!" Sakura cried, as she looked at the clock on the wall.

"Its ok, Sakura, I'll do the job for you. I don't want you to be late for your date," offered Hinata.

Sakura spun around and hugged Hinata tightly. Hinata managed to free herself from her friends hug of death and catch her breath.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Hinata! You're the best friend I could ever ask for!"

"No problem. So what's the job?" asked Hinata.

"Oh its really easy," stated Sakura as she dashed towards the door. "All you have to do is tell Gaara of the Desert that the Tsunade wished to speak with him here in one hour."

"W-what?"

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Hinata slowly took her time approaching the rooftop on which Gaara sat. Above the sun was setting, painting the sky a myriad of alluring colors.

She cursed herself for being so generous all the time because now, that trait of hers had landed her a task she did not want to do. But she knew that if she didn't fetch Gaara, Tsunade would be very angry with her.

Looking up, Hinata realized she was on the opposite of Gaara. He was now standing with his back towards her. His strong arms were crossed over his hard chest. Swallowing, Hinata slowly made her way towards the last person she wanted to see.

'Its ok.' Just tell him that the Hokage wishes to see him at the hospital and then leave,' Hinata tried to reassure herself as she drew closer, but something told her that it wouldn't be that easy.

When she was directly behind him, Hinata steadied herself before talking to him.

"Gaara?"

The Sand nin's eyes shot open. He had been distracted by Shukaku, who was still yelling at him, and had not noticed Hinata approach him.

Turning around, Gaara looked down into Hinata's pale eyes. 'What could she want?'

"Yes?" He said in an emotionless voice.

Fixing her eyes onto the ground, Hinata began to tell him why she was there.

"The Hokage requests your—" She was stopped by Gaara, who had reached out and cupped her cheek. Just like the last time they had met, he forced her to look him in the eye.

"I prefer it if you would look at me when you talked to me, Hinata," Gaara said dryly.

"S-sorry," murmured Hinata. 'Oh I wish he'd take his hand away.'

Gaara's touch sent shivers down her spine and his gaze silently caressed her. Hinata could see that Gaara was pleased with the way she didn't turn away from his touch. She wondered why anyone would want to shun Gaara's hand; it held such comfort and a sense of safety with it.

"Continue." Hinata was jolted out of her thoughts by Gaara's deep voice.

"The Hokage wishes for you to meet her at the hospital in 10 minutes," she said in her timid voice.

Gaara had to lean in to hear what she was saying. 'Her voice is so soft. I can barely hear her.' He thought.

Their faces were only inches apart now, and Hinata was unnerved by their closeness. But instead of telling Gaara that she needed to go, Hinata just stood there staring into his cold, aquamarine eyes.

"Shukaku wonders why I don't kill you. I can tell you ask yourself the same thing, Hinata."

Hinata was shocked by what Gaara had just said. How did he know that she asked herself that? Was it that obvious? And wasn't Shukaku the demon inside of him? Why did it want Gaara to kill her?

These questions and a million others raced through her mind at top speed. But her train of thought was halted by Gaara's voice.

"I have a one reason why I will never kill you. Do you wish to know what that is?" Gaara asked her. Hinata was about nod when he continued his explanation without waiting for her to answer.

"You have given a purpose to live. You see, Hinata, you interest for reasons I cannot explain nor comprehend and it is these reasons that have made me want to protect you," Gaara said casually.

Hinata stared up at him. 'W-what does he mean?' Suddenly, Hinata became dimly aware of the decreasing space and air between them.

"Hinata, you are very delicate and I can see in your eyes that your truly do not wish to be a shinobi. Many times you have been broken a stepped upon, but you always pick yourself up and continue life. Never does the thought of hatred cross your mind," Gaara continued, looking intently into Hinata's eyes. Eyes which captivated him and pulled him in.

"You have never once looked upon me with hatred or disgust. Your eyes have never held the intention to kill me and I thank you."

Hinata was shocked by what he was saying. 'People actually look at him like that? Why? He's changed from being that killer from 7 years ago to a great asset to his village,' Hinata thought angrily. She didn't know why people hated Gaara so much when it was not even his fault that a demon was inside him.

"So, Hinata, before I leave to meet with your esteemed Hokage, I must do something," Gaara stated, a mischievous look in his eyes.

"And what is that?" Hinata asked. She applauded herself for not stuttering.

"This."

Without warning, Gaara closed the space in between them, his arms pulling her flush against him. Chapped lips met soft ones in a duet of passion. Gaara's kiss was rough and hungry and Hinata found it hard to breathe.

Breaking the kiss, Gaara smiled, satisfied with what he had just done. Hinata still couldn't believe that he had just kissed her.

"Well, until next time my dear Hinata," Gaara leaped down into the streets of Konoha and started towards the hospital.

Hinata slowly raised her hand to her mouth, gently brushing her lips with her fingertips. A small smile formed itself on her face and the Hyuuga found that she had enjoyed the kiss, even though she knew she shouldn't…

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That was…odd. Well review and tell me what you think. Yet again, another chapter from this story was an ass to write, but I love doing it.

Love ya guys!

--TheUnknownDead