Chapter 8

She hated it here.

She hated it in her mind, dark and alone.

Her apartment had been quiet the last three days. With the brothers and Neji gone on business trips and Hanabi backpacking Europe with her friends, it resonated with her how lonely she had become. Her home held no sounds of laughter, chattering and at that moment she yearned greatly for her favorite tea shop.

Sitting up, she glazed her fingers over the bed, then the simple nightstand for the naked analog clock. Her fingers brushed over the roman numerals, searching for the one lucky enough to seat the hour hand. Ten p.m.

Slipping on her fuzzy slippers she bent to pick the cane that leaned on the bed frame. Fresh air, that was what she needed, a change from the claustrophobic atmosphere of her apartment. The door opened with a silent click as she stepped into the main veranda of the complex, leaning over the railing she took a deep breath.

One

Two

Three

Then she began the pattern that calmed her frequently, a deep breath in as she counted to four, holding the breath for a solid seven seconds and a slow release on 8 counts, Again. The air was crisp, if she focused enough she could calm her soul and allow it to sooth her greatly. Clumsy footsteps snapped her from the established rhythm and she cautiously slipped into her apartment, door slightly ajar to know when the coast was clear.

"Sh- *hiccup* she …" was the only coherent word uttered before the voice drawled out. The words slurred in a mixmatch jumble and she couldn't seem to make a word out. But the voice…

Stepping out of the door, a little bold in her familiarity

"Gaara-san?"

The jumble for keys paused as he looked at her. His eyes hazy and unfocused as she paused, unsure if she made a mistake when he didn't respond

"Gaara-san?"

His fogged mind seemed to clear momentarily as he walked up to her. "You." Bending his index and middle finger of his right hand he grabbed her nose before wiggling it. Hinata squealed, her face burning a bright red as she jumped away.

"Hm. She doesn't li-like that ei-either." he slurred his words, his countenance sinking deeper as he turned to the door. He continued his incoherent babbling as he jiggled multiple keys through the lock but failed. Angry and frustrated, Gaara chucked his keys down the hallway in Hinata's direction.

When one's sense is down, the other senses heighten to make up for the disability. This was her only saving grace as she nimbly blocked the keys aimed for her face with her forearm. The tips rammed into her pale skin with force, the sudden halt causing them to clatter to a heap beneath her feet. The bruised skin tingled with urgency and she didn't have to see to know it was stained a bright red.

Her heart began to quicken, reminded of the night she had collapsed helplessly at his door. A loud ringing of her phone left him on the ground, hand on head as he growled in pain. She didn't need to look to know it was Hanabi. No one else carelessly called at midnight. Declining the call, Hinata pocketed the phone once again, and followed the sound of the drunken man on her floor.

"Gaara-san," Hinata bent when she felt close enough but was turned away, her back mistakenly to him. Clammy cold hands wrapped around her waist as he dug his nose into her back. Hinata froze in her spot, cane dropping in a loud thump before her. The loud sound agitated Gaara as he dug his head deeper into her back, hands tight on her waist.

"D-don't leave me. Please Sakura." were the sorrowful words that escaped his lips and Hinata's heart ached in turn for the man silently shaking into her spine. His relationship with his girlfriend seemed as rocky as hers, her fingers patted his arms in consolation. The vibration of his silent pleas drowning in her sleep shirt.

As time passed her legs began to fall asleep and so did he. Alarmed and unwilling to spend the night in the veranda, she shifted as slow as she could, fingers clamming for her cane. The tips brushed the slender wood, but she was too far to grasp. She tried prying his hands off her stomach but his hold tightened in retaliation. He reminded her of a helpless child, even in sleep, fear seemed to grip his soul in ways she couldn't begin to understand. She tried again, multiple attempts to move but to no avail.

Huffing in frustration and cold from the now frigid temperatures, she decided to be bold and take an unconventional approach with him. Prying his callous fingers enough, she slipped hers in, a small blush tingeing her cheeks at the intimacy. Raising their hands, crossed above her head, she shifted her body, slowly turning until she sat facing him, dropping her aching arms. This seemed to startle Gaara awake as wrapped his arms around her waist again, his attachment concerning her. All was quiet again, but he hadn't buried his face in her laps as she had expected he would.

"Gaa-" warmth filled her body, the taste of alcohol and something sour on her lips. His fingers trailed her cheek carefully, each stroke with careful precision she shook with surprise when he slammed on her collarbone, a soft snore accompanying him.

Had he truly been asleep?

~.~.~.~

Sasuke's fingers created an incessant tapping as he replied to emails, messages and more. His fingers itched, to call her, to hear the quiet silky voice he had come to love as his. But she had been distant since the hospital visit, and he could feel the drift widening with each trip. Naruto sat across from him, focused on his phone but his eyes darted to the windows of the quiet restaurant every now and then.

He was about to ask if Naruto needed to use the bathroom when Naruto's chair squealed across the wooden floor, a slight scratch in its stead as he stood. Sasuke watched as his normally carefree friend straightened his pressed button up, brushing away any crease marks. The buoyant blonde had a slight blush on his cheeks as he headed for the door, where Sasuke saw the blonde air hostess from the airport.

Rolling his eyes, he returned to his work. Sasuke settled to just eating the blonde's account dry but snapped when a gasp emitted from before him. Before him stood the doctor, pink haired and green eyed.

Shit

Naruto's date looked between her friend and himself before asking, "Are you two acquainted?"

Stepping in before she could speak, he replied "No."

A confused frown settled on her face as she looked at his aloof features.

"We've never met." he finished, careful to take a poised sip of his water

"I see," she smiled, accepting the excuse before sitting across from Naruto, beside her friend. "I'm Ino Yamanaka. This is my friend Sakura Haruno."

"Hn," he pulled his seat back, annoyed to have been set up by his asshat of a best friend. Naruto followed at a restrained pace, bowing to apologize to their dates before stepping out.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't like surprises." was the annoyed response

"Look Teme." Naruto laid his hands on his best friend's tensed shoulders. "I'm sorry I set you up. But since you and … her broke up, you've been a wreck. You need to move on."

Slapping away Naruto's hands, he began to walk away, "I'm paying. If you don't like her, that's it. Just give it a try Teme. Hinata'd hate to see you like this."

Something about the way Naruto spoke struck Sasuke. He spoke as though Hinata had died, and she might as well have. But it made him realize, if he left, the doctor lady was bound to mention Hinata and their engagement. And he wasn't ready, not even for Naruto to know.

"Fine."

~.~.~

(Two separate scenes happening at once. Let me know if it doesn't make sense.)

Sun poured in through the open window, and his head pounded as he pulled the comforter over himself.

The smell of Jasmine and honey filled his nostrils as the eerie sound of a tea kettle went off from behind.

A soft groan emitted from beneath him, before everything quieted. Pushing away his mind's annoyance he nuzzled further into the sheets.

Soft steps made their way to him, everything felt strange, the light, the smell, the bed he lay on. A white washcloth came into his peripheral vision.

Slender arms wrapped themselves around him, long legs brushing his thigh. Jolting up in astonishment, he pulled the sheets with him. There in his bed, naked and asleep

Her hands patted the couch cautiously, searching for his head. Grabbing her wrist with care, he came face to face with a red bruise on her arm

'Shit.'

'Shit.'