Nutcracker

Bong…Bong…Bong… The eleventh hour had come. Gaara waited patiently in the girl's arms. 'Almost there…' He thanked Kami-sama that his sword had not been forgotten. But what of this girl? Hinata, was it? Why did she say he was… handsome? He had never considered himself to be a 'looker'. His job would soon be done, however. Just a bit longer…

0oOo0

Bong…Bong…Bong… Gaara's ears perked up. The twelfth hour had come. It was only on the third chime of the clock. Bong… Four. Bong… Five. Bong… Six. His anxiousness grew with each resonating sound. Bong… Seven. Bong… Eight. Oh god, please hurry up! He had been waiting to move since last Christmas! Bong… Ten. Bong… Eleven. There was a sickening pause; time seemed to slow as he anticipated the final chime. Bong… It was louder than the rest; that was a good sign. Taking advantage of his newfound ability to move, he crawled and struggled out of the sleeping girl's grip. Damn, she's strong! Never mind the fact that she was around ten times as big as him! He finally forced his way out of her arms. Observing the surroundings, he watched carefully for any sign of the King. His hand came to rest on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at a moments notice. Clatter… His head snapped towards the door. What was that…? Crash Bang… It was the Snake King for sure. He leapt of the night table and landed safely on the floor. Despite his size, his great athletic ability helped him in his massive environment. He turned his dark-rimmed eyes to the open door.

'Gaara…san…' Sleep talking? Gaara's ears focused on the sleeping girl behind him. 'Where are you…?' Despite himself, he felt guilty leaving Hinata alone. Wincing in fear of his own foolishness, he spoke.

"I'll… I'll be back soon, Hinata…chan?" What suffix would he use, if any? She seemed content with his answer and curled up under the sheets. Gaara sighed in relief. Now for the King.

0oOo0

Hinata felt she was lacking something. Gaara. Where was he? Didn't she fall asleep holding him?

"Gaara…san…" She said sleepily. "Where are you…"? She wasn't expecting an answer from a doll, but it seemed to make a mild form of sense when she got one.

"I'll… I'll be back soon, Hinata…chan?" She smiled in amusement. 'Chan' would do fine. She curled up comfortably. Crash bang…cling, cling… Her eyes closed harder to try and drown out the strange noises. It sounded like… sword fighting? What is going on down there? Reluctantly, she pulled off her covers and walked drearily down the stairs. The first thing she saw was the tree. The second thing she saw was a bit more unusual.

"Hssssssss…Orochimaru-sama shall prevail this year!" A rather small and pathetic blue snake coiled up In the middle of the room. Her shoulders shook with silent laughter. Who would ever fear this? Then she saw whom "Orochimaru-sama" was talking to.

"I think not. You shall never take over this world with that size, dear snake." As she peered over the coffee table, she saw her little doll, Gaara! He brandished his sword bravely against the snake, which was actually larger than him. The snake coiled dangerously. Horror spread across both her and Gaara's features. With one last hiss, he launched himself at Gaara. Hinata panicked. What could she do? Moving quickly, she clutched the snake's tail firmly, causing him to utter a comical choking sound when he was pulled back. She gripped the snake by the neck.

"Why would you attack Gaara-san?" she said, glaring a bit at it. The snake thrashed in her grip while Gaara looked on, amazed. "You know, that's not very nice…" Wait. Was that snake bitch getting bigger? Everything else seemed to be getting bigger, too. Uh-oh… Hinata shrieked as she dropped the snake in surprise. Why was she shrinking? Soon, the snake towered over her; she was no bigger than Gaara.

"Why the hell would you risk yourself like that?!" Hinata winced at Gaara's words.

"G-gomen nasai…" Gaara's features melted from concerned anger to sympathy.

"Never mind that. We have a bigger problem. Uh… Scratch that. A Growing-bigger-by-the-second problem."

Hinata's silvery gaze turned to the even more enormous snake.

"Shit." Gaara muttered as he leapt forward again.

Hinata marveled at the skill he possessed. Swiftly dodging a blow from the snakes tail, he called to her.

"Don't just stand there! Make yourself useful for Kami's sake!"

She began to panic slightly. What could she do? Hinata looked down in shame, only to be inspired. It was simple, but it might give Gaara an edge. She pulled off her soft slipper, gripping it hopefully. With a yell, she hurled the slipper at her foe.

"Take that Hebi-teme!"

Hinata shut her eyes tight in fear. Would he attack her now?

"Holy shit…"

She reeled back in surprise. She killed that gigantic snake with a soft slipper? Whatever works… Gaara stared back at her in surprise.

"That was amazing."

She flushed.

"Thank you…"

"No, Thank you. Come with me."

Curious, she followed the young man.

"Hurry up. Hayaku!"

He didn't sound angry, simply ecstatic.

Pushing aside a particular branch of the tree, he ducked under and vanished.

"Eh? G-Gaara…?"

Hinata did the same, and the sight that greeted her stunned her beyond words.

0oOo0

I think we all know whats coming next : ) AN: Hebi-teme - snake bastard

Migurushii - ugly or unsightly