The Phantom of the Desert

(I don't own anything from Naruto or The Phantom of the Opera)

4. The Phantom's World

Gaara was once again hiding himself beneath the same tree from last night. He was pondering over whether he should continue this masquerade.

"If I don't show up… I mean if her angel doesn't show up, she'll be heart broken… Wait! Why do I care? Why am I even here waiting for some stupid girl?"

But Gaara really didn't believe she was stupid. She was perfect in his eyes.

Before he could continue fighting with himself, the girl appeared. Gaara stared once again.

She wasn't wearing her nightgown. She had put on a formal white sleeveless dress with black formal shoes before meeting him. Gaara realized how weak she made him.

But he really didn't care.

Hinata had been pondering about meeting him again when she came back home after all the paperwork was done. It felt like a date to her and she blushed at the thought of it.

But she also started to think about what happened in the Hokage's office. She heard him and nobody else did. So he really was there. Hinata also couldn't help but feel as if someone was watching her the whole time she was there.

Was it her Angel of Music?

Yes and No. It was her angel and Gaara. But she didn't know that.

Gaara made sure his mask was on properly and that his hood always covered his bare face. He sat on the piano seat and started to play.

Hinata saw him and she walked over to stand beside him. She knew the song very well and was prepared to sing for her angel.

Think of me
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.

When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me

He stopped playing and praised her while giving her a few tips.

"She really is amazing…" Gaara thought. He continued to play and Hinata continued to sing.

We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if
you can still
remember
stop and think
of me . . .

Think of all the things
we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things
which might have been . . .

Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned.

Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put you
from my mind.

Recall those days
look back
on all those times,
think of the things
we'll never do -
there will
never be
a day, when
I won't think
of you . .

When Gaara stopped playing, he turned and looked at Hinata.

"Well done, Hinata."

She looked down and blushed. Gaara took her hand and led her to the middle of the field.

"Please sit with me."

They both sat there looking up at the night sky. Hinata looked at her angel out of the corner of her eye. Gaara caught this and smiled at her which made Hinata blush more.

"Hinata………."

"Yes?"

Gaara looked at her innocent face. But then he just sighed and laid on his back staring at the sky.

"I'm anything far from an angel."

Hinata looked confused at him.

"You're an angel to me."

She laid on her back beside him.

"I am usually alone. People are afraid of me. I always felt lonely until I met you. This feeling… is this what having friends feels like?"

Hinata saw a curious twinkle in his eyes when he looked up at the moon and stars.

"Yes, I think so…"

Hinata was curious about what kind of life her angel had, the life he had in the daylight. She was sure both of them often felt lonely during the day.

She knew her angel saw something in the night that no one else could see.

He wanted to share the beauty of the night with her.

Hinata had closed her eyes and tried to imagine the face behind the mask. Was it someone from Konoha? Another ninja? One of her friends?

Gaara was staring at Hinata as she dreamed of her angel's face. He quietly pushed his body closer to hers.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he screamed inside himself.

But he couldn't stop.

When Hinata opened her eyes, her angel had wrapped his arms around her. He brought her closer to his chest and she heard his heart beat. She looked up and saw him putting down his hood and taking off his mask.

Her eyes widened.

"G-Gaara….." her voice was almost silent.

Then she blacked out.