I could update faster if it didn't involve so much typing and sorry if the last chapter confused you. It was a little strange, but I think it is understandable. (Somewhat)

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"So, what brings you here Gaara?" Haku asked siting down on the trunk

"Same old, same old," Gaara said as he sat up. "You?"

"Zabuza," Haku said with a sigh.

"What now?" Gaara asked cutting Haku off. Zabuza always did something. His random mood swings from affectionate to heartless always left Haku bewildered. It often led to him coming to the turnaround to think. It had been by chance that he and Gaara had met one night. That night they were strangers but overtime, they had become, well, friends in a way.

Between each other, they talked about their problems freely. They didn't worry about judgement and always knew that no matter what someone was listening. Understanding wasn't always necessary, just knowing someone else had listened made them feel better. It was a special relationship, but lately Gaara had been too busy with work to show up.

"Nothing bad actually," Haku said while adjusting his location on the trunk," he just told me to leave, so I left. I'm not upset."

"Why?"

"I think he's planning something, but I don't know for sure. Either way, I know he'll call me back eventually." Haku turned and looked at the valley. "He always does."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, both deep in their own thoughts. Than, Haku interrupted the silence. "Why are you here Gaara?"

Gaara sighed and looked over at Haku.

"Oh, so it's one of those problems, huh?"

Gaara nodded.

"What happened?"

"He saw the picture."

"Which one?"

"The one of me and Marya."

"Did he recognize her?"

"I don't think he has yet, but he will. It's my fault that she is dead, and when he realizes that, he will hate me.

"Don't you think you should let me decide that?"

Gaara's head jerked up in surprise. How had he missed the sound of the car? He must have been more distracted than he realized, because Neji was definitely there.

"Shouldn't I be able to choose?" Neji asked leaning closer to Gaara.

Gaara blushed and looked down at the ground. The ringing of a phone interrupted the moment. Haku looked down at his cell as a message popped. He smiled as he read it.

"Hey Gaara," he said as he jumped off the car," I've gotta go."

"Later."

"See you soon."

Haku quickly withdrew into his car. Neji watched him leave. Then he turned his attention back to Gaara.

He sat down next to Gaara and put his hand on the side of Gaara's face, slowly turning his head so they were again facing each other. They sat in silence; eyes locked for many minutes before Gaara turned his head away and looked again out over the valley.

"Why don't you hate me?" he said softly. "You recognize the girl, right?"

"Marya Van…"

"She died"

Neji nodded. "In an accident a few years ago, but I don't understand why that would make me hate you."

Gaara sighed. "It wasn't an accident. He meant for her to die. She was too close. Too dangerous. She shouldn't have been dragged into any of it, but I let her be, and because of that, he had her killed. It was my fault. I'm a monster."

"Gaara!"

" I am!" Gaara yelled, showing an unusual amount of emotion. "Don't you realize it! I'm doing the same thing again! Dragging you into to it! Don't you realize that in the end you'll get hurt! I will only leave you pain…" Gaara's voice quieted as he hit the end of his tirade.

"Gaara," Neji placed a soft hand on his back to comfort him. Gaara jerked away. He must leave. I don't want him hurt.

He walked over to the rail and looked out over the valley. Then he said softly, "You should leave."

"Why?"

"Didn't you listen? I'm a monster. You should hate me. You should leave so you can be happy." Gaara said in desperation.

"Why?" Neji repeated walking up to Gaara and placing a hand on the side of his face. "Why?"

Gaara turned into the touch subconsciously, but soon jerked back to reality and turned away. "Because, I don't want you to be hurt. I…" Gaara snapped his mouth shut. I can't tell him that.

"You what Gaara?" Just tell me. I need to hear it.

"I…it's nothing," Gaara turned and started walking towards his car. "You should leave."

Neji caught him by the wrist and pulled him back into an embrace. "Why?" he whispered quietly into Gaara's ear.

"Because…" Gaara's voice trailed off as Neji's lips pressed lightly against his neck.

"Yes?"

Gaara sighed. "You won't leave, will you?"

"You're starting to catch on."

"Why?" Gaara asked turning around.

"Because Gaara," Neji whispered as he pressed the open sketchbook into Gaara's hands," I love you too."

Neji leaned in and kissed Gaara lightly on the lips then pulled back a fraction to say softly," It's getting late," Neji said, noticing that the sky was alight with stars," I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

Gaara couldn't find his voice, but he did manage a weak nod.

"Later then." Neji gave Gaara another quick kiss before pulling away. He got into his car and left.

Gaara stood there, a hand at his lips, looking at the book that was opened to the page on which Gaara had drawn their first kiss with the simple words I love above. What just happened?

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Embrace the shortness. (The next one should be longer.) Sorry about the wait. Many thanks to reviewers, old and new.