Temari and Shikamaru were nearing the holiday house Gaara had bought. So far, her whole body was swaying-except for that arm that connected her to him. It was cold and stiff-she hadn't wanted to make a move before him, and he hadn't done anything at all since the supermarket. Few words had passed through them, and she had glanced in his direction only a couple of times. Temari thought that the awkwardness couldn't get any worse.

What should I do? He isn't saying anything… What if? -

'OW!' Shikamaru yelled, rubbing his head. Temari turned to face him.

'What? What happened? Are you ok?' Temari asked. Shikamaru groaned.

'I was looking at the clouds…and then I ran into the pole.' Shikamaru pointed.

'You troublesome woman, you can't even tell me when I'm going to crash.'

All pity left Temari instantly.

'Ha! How can you blame this on me when if you hadn't been watching the clouds you would've been fine you lazy-ass!' she yelled.

'You should not only watch out for yourself, but for other ninjas too!' Shikamaru said.

'Not my problem if you like watching the clouds more than-' she stopped just in time before she said "me". Shikamaru raised his eyebrows.

'Eh? More than what?'

'Nothing…'

'It must have been something troublesome woman if you want to hide it so much.'

'I said it's nothing net-boy! And how many times must I tell you I hate that name!'

'Troublesome woman, you can't call me net-boy.'

'Why not? You call me troublesome woman.'

'Because you've got netting on your sleeve too.' Shikamaru pointed out.

'So do a lot of other ninjas too.' A new voice replied.

Temari and Shikamaru stopped walking. They had been so busy arguing with each other that they hadn't realised they had reached Temari's place!

'Gaara? What are you doing?' Temari wondered. Then she and Shikamaru realised they were still holding hands and immediately let go.

'You're late. I have things to discuss.' Gaara stood up and walked away.

'Hey! You never said I had to come back by a certain time!' Ever since that fight with Naruto, Gaara had winded down enough for Temari to berate him about small things.

Even so, she dejectedly walked up the steps and made her way to their room. Shikamaru tried to follow, but a wall of sand came up against him.

'Leave the groceries' a voice from nowhere commanded. Shikamaru shrugged, not wanting to get into any trouble and walked away.

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After being comfortably seated, Temari and Kankuro immediately started up.

'Why are you being so insistent?'

'What's up bro?'

Gaara stared at them. That usually shut the two up.

'I have something to discuss with you.'

Temari rolled her eyes. 'You said that outside too.'

It must be important if Gaara has called a family meeting. Usually he'd use sand to send a message.

Gaara sat down at the table. He looked at both of his siblings intently.

Uh-oh… Gaara can get really crazy when he's in his whole silent mood. Kankuro gulped. I hope whatever he has to say isn't so bad. Kankuro braced himself.

'I have a female companion.'

Gaara said simply.

Temari and Kankuro nearly fell out of their chairs. That was Gaara's way of saying he had a girlfriend.

'That's… great, Gaara.' Temari tried to not laugh. The idea that Gaara had a girl was too absurd to contemplate. Gaara, the vessel of the Shukaku, the Kazekage of the Sand village, tough, silent Gaara, loving someone?

She nudged Kankuro hard.

'Ouch! Uh, I mean cool bro!' Kankuro smiled.

Gaara nodded. He glanced at the paper screen door before continuing. 'Of course you will meet her…' he said.

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Hinata clutched her hands nervously. She was contemplating when to make her 'grand entrance.'

If I do it too early, Gaara-kun might be interrupted and that would anger him. Hinata thought. But if I come in too late, they might think I'm very stupid.. Oh…what should I do?

Shaking from her nerves, Hinata leaned against the door, forgetting a very important thing-the door was only paper after all.

There was a terrible tearing sound, which followed with a crashing bang. And Hinata found herself lying on the ground in front of Kankuro's feet.

Temari jumped up. 'Hey! Who are you? We're in the middle of an important discussion!'

'Yeah! It was at a crucial moment!' Kankuro added, silently thinking- Damn, and we were just about to find out who Gaara's beau is…

'Gaara, to save you the trouble, I'll get rid of her.' Gaara gave them both a death-glare. Temari was bewildered.

'Unless… you'd like to get rid of her yourself?' she stared at the trembling Hyuga. Hinata had finally gotten up-to an extent. Now she was no longer lying down, but on all fours.

Kankuro lifted his foot to kick her, but just as it came down, a stream of sand block him.

'What the-?' Kankuro was confused.

Gaara gave them both another death-glare.

'This… this is Hinata.'

Temari blinked. 'We know Gaara, we saw her at the Chunnin Exams a while back.'

Gaara bent down and helped Hinata up. She nearly collapsed from the nerves.

'T-Temari s-san, K-Kankuro-k-kun.' She nodded to them.

Temari was quick to catch onto the scene, but it was too complex for her older brother to comprehend.

I don't get it… why is she in Gaara's arms?

Oh.

OH.

His face slowly changed from shock, into a happy greeting.

'Hey there Hinata! Nice to meet you!' he said, slapping her on the back. Temari sighed.

He may be great at puppets, but he's an idiot when it comes to people's feelings.

Hinata was so taken aback. She nearly fell down again. Temari merely nodded and said hi. Gaara helped her to her seat.

'Wow, I still can't believe it! You're Gaara's girlfriend eh?' Kankuro cheered.

My idiotic brother is trying too hard. Temari mused. He doesn't want Gaara to feel that we don't like this new side to him.

Unfortunately, Kankuro couldn't keep his mouth shut.

'And man, I never knew it'd be you! I though it might be that pink haired girl, or the one with long blonde hair, or maybe even one of the teahouse girls! I never knew Gaara had such…special tastes!'

Temari slapped her forehead. Kankuro…is such an idiot.

Gaara's eye started to twitch. Slowly, so that Kankuro wouldn't notice, he brought his hand up, and then blasted Kankuro. Even though it wasn't anything serious, it still left a few holes in the walls and had completely ruined the table. Kankuro was knocked out.

Gaara stood up and stormed out angrily.

Temari immediately reprimanded Kankuro.

'You baka. Way to go Kankuro.' She yelled.

'S-sorry.' Hinata had her head down, her hands still neatly placed in her lap.

Temari stared at her. She looks so innocent… so delicate…what do she and Gaara have in common? They're so different. She's so sincere and he can be so hard sometimes.

'Why are you apologising? It's not like you blasted a hole in the wall.'

Temari replied.

Hinata wouldn't look her in the eyes. 'Y-You see, G-Gaara-kun has been wanting to tell you for weeks, but he was always afraid things might turn out like t-this.'

Woa, weeks? This little affair has been going on for a long time hasn't it? Temari thought. Then she turned her attention back to Hinata.

'What do you mean like this?'

Hinata finally returned Temari's gaze.

'W-well, that you w-wouldn't take h-him seriously. And that you'd l-laugh at him…'

Temari had a sinking feeling. She had been thinking something along those lines, and now she felt bad. It wasn't like Gaara to play around like this, and for him to expose himself like this was very rare. What Kankuro had done had made sure that it wasn't going to happen again for a long while.

Temari turned away, going to find somewhere less dramatic.

Before she left, she uttered 'Huh. Gaara must love you a lot.'

Hinata looked up.

'W-what do you mean?'

'For him to do something like this, to present himself like that, it mustn't have been for him. He would've only done it for you.'

Hinata eyes widened.

'I-I hope you're right Temari-san.'

Temari grinned.

'I usually am.'

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Gaara looked out to the horizon on the balcony. The orange sun was dipping slowly down and emitted a pink glow.

They ridiculed me. That's it; I won't do what I planned. They ridiculed her, and she didn't even do anything. How much more mockery will I have to stand if I do….

'G-Gaara-kun?' a faint voice behind him asked. Gaara spun around and smiled at Hinata. She blushed.

'Is Gaara-kun still angry?'

'Not at you.'

She smiled, and went over to hug him.

'Gaara-kun, you know that they still love you? They were just a bit surprised that's all.'

Gaara's eyes widened. How does she know what I'm thinking? How…how can she know me so well? Maybe I'll go through with it after all.

'Hinata…' her head was on his chest. She looked up at him.

'Yes…Gaara-kun?'

Gaara took a deep breath.

'Will…Will you…Will you marry me?'

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Temari had made her way to Shikamaru's house, hoping to find someone to talk to after the Gaara/Hinata fiasco, even if it was net-boy.

She had reached the front steps, and decided to peep through the window to see whether he was home or not.

She dearly wished she hadn't.

The sight before her eyes could not have been clearer There was blonde-long-hair Ino, with her arms draped around Shikamaru, with tears in her eyes. For once, Shikamaru's eyes showed concern and he patted her on the back, returning her hug. He was also whispering comforting words to her.

Maybe she found out about our little trip and she's trying to win her back. Temari thought dryly. Anyways, it's sure working like hell on him.

And with that, she stormed away, not even knowing why she was so angry.

A/N-Wow that's a long chapter for me! Thanks Gourdbreaker…only now do I realise the big risk I took with GaaraHinata, but oh well. I think it's a cute couple. Her sincerity balances his hardness. Or so I think. XD. Do you think it's a bit out of character?? I'm worried I'm not keeping them in character properly… OK, well this long chapter is to make up for the length of time I might not post due to exam and homeworks. Sorry! Hope you enjoy!