He waited two days before making another move to attack his adversary. This gave him time to prepare, and sieve his sand to a presentable condition for future use. Now, he took small pleasure in roughly opening the cover of the book and flipping to the appropriate page. He read. 'STAGE TWO'

"Now that you have successfully organized further contact with your chosen acquaintance..." He chose to ignore the books tactics and simply select a new person as even he didn't really want to defy Sakura's restraining order. He turned the page

"..is to show affection in whatever way you find appropriate This could be as simple as a pat on the back or as personal as a hug A kind gesture will assist in your showing that you care and appreciate the time you spend together."

After careful planning, Gaara had decided the most logical place to search for the person he had in mind would be the training grounds that they were often seen at. He purchased a street map to assist himself as he had never had need for training and was unsure of the exact location. The only training he had ever been a part of had been during his one attendance to Temari's yoga class. That had resulted in his first lecture about killing civilians especially highly skilled and qualified ones that could train people in the art of body balance and flexibility. However, in the end Temari had been correct in saying yoga was fun.

He smirked slightly then smiled properly when he saw the person he sought, passionately mangling a stump. The person in question had obviously noticed him too as he turned and bent into a defensive position.

"Really Neji, no need to be hostile! It's only me!" Neji shuffled his feet slightly until his stance was perfect.

"Why are you here?"

"You remember me! I had hoped you would, we had such fun times together." Neji raised an eyebrow. "It was great, eh?" Gaara walked forward and Neji progressed hurriedly into an aggressive stance.

"I think you should leave."

"I'm sorry; you may have me confused with someone else. I was the one with the sand... I looked like...this."

"Leave now." He decided this was a good time to make his move. He and Neji seemed to be getting along really well already and while they were on such good terms he may as well take 'Stage Two' to the full and show that book who was boss. "Leave!"

"I really appreciate you spending this time with me..." His sand began to creep out.

"I have a powerful uncle! I think you should go away!" Neji started to stumble backwards but not before Gaara's sand engulfed him in a warm hug.

"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING NEJI!"

"EEEEEEEEEK!" Gaara squeezed close to his sand's maximum squeezing capacity to show how much he appreciated Neji's existence.

"IT'S OKAY! I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! LET'S BE FRIENDS!"

He had been so sure he had succeeded but later at the hospital he found out Neji had asked for him to be thrown out. Deciding a hug may have been a little to forward for that moment, Gaara returned to his, and the books, lodgings for the rest of the day.

Nut2: Sorry, I know someone requested longer chapters but this is as long as they will be for this story. But don't worry, the shorter the chapter the more frequent the update...I think. But of course, the more reviews the faster also.(hint hint)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters and places depicted or incorporated within it.