Title What do you see when you look at me?
Author lonelywhisperz
Genre Romance/General
Rating 13+ (For now anyways)
Disclaimer Naruto and all of the characters of Naruto belong to Masashi Kishimoto! Duh! I am not profiting at all by publishing this piece of fiction. I am writing and 'publishing' this work of fan fiction for my pleasure and the pleasure of other Naruto fans! Besides… It isn't worth suing me because I don't own anything but some old smelly socks and some unidentified gooey stuff under my bed. So… Yeah.
Summary Hinata decides to apologize for the craziness of the night before. What happens? OO Let's see…
Chapter Five I am sorry…

Hinata looked around the apartment that was to be her home from now on.

It felt cold.

But so did everywhere else. At least she had a place to call 'home' now. Eventually it will be her home…

It must have been around three in the morning now… She had somehow dragged herself to the apartment after staring at the waning moon for over an hour.

Thinking…

Wondering…

Wishing…

Remembering…

Gaara…

He kept intruding in her thoughts. She couldn't understand why she seemed to go mad when she was around him. She wasn't herself.

He brought out the worst in her. She couldn't remember the last time another person had made her react in such a terrible manner.

Sigh…

Tomorrow she would apologize for her ridiculous behavior. There was no explanation for the way she had acted but an apology was definitely necessary…

And this time she would have to be careful not to cross any personal boundaries…

Like touching him…

No matter how enticing the thought seemed to be.

Quietly, she put away her clothes and the few sentimental items she had brought along with her to her apartment.

Her apartment…

Odd… She still had a hard time getting used to the fact that this was now her place even though she had already paid a whole 6 months rent in advance for it.

Fortunately for her, money had not been an issue when she planned to give up her position as the Hyuuga heiress. Every week, each Hyuuga was given an allowance that was automatically sent into their private accounts. Since she had been the daughter of the Hyuuga clan as well as the heiress, she had received a handsome sum on top of what she made from her ninja missions. In fact, she had received more money every week than she could spend in a month. Thus her savings had accumulated to impressive proportions.

She wasn't sure if she would continue to be given any allowance now. It didn't really matter though. She had plenty to live on and she would earn more than enough from her missions to be comfortable. Extravagance had never been one of her flaws.

She looked at the bed with the clean white sheets she had put on earlier that day. She didn't want to sleep.

Couldn't sleep…

Finally she went and sat in the corner of the room and put her arms around her knees to comfort herself.

She wasn't going to get any sleep tonight…

--- o O o ---

Morning crept into her apartment slowly. Tentatively. Perhaps the sun wasn't sure that it should be shining when she was feeling so dark.

Hinata eventually got up when her alarm clock rang.

There were missions to complete, people to see and a life to lead no matter how she felt.

She freshened up before heading out to the street bazaar to help prepare it for tonight. It was going to be the first night of the Christmas bazaar since it was exactly a week from Christmas.

Although it was only seven in the morning, the street was buzzing with activity. She spotted Kiba and Shino among the ninjas who were working on the stalls and carrying various boxes and items for the stall owners. Smiling, she waved at them enthusiastically before going to lend a hand to anyone who required assistance.

Keeping busy was helpful. It made her think and feel less. Concentrating on the task at hand was the comforting since it was distracting. The hours passed by quickly and Hinata was actually surprised when Shino and Kiba came to pick her up to have lunch together.

They went to a small restaurant that served very good domburi(1) that Kiba liked. Shino never had a particular preference concerning food so he followed Kiba with no objection. Although she wasn't feeling particularly hungry, Hinata ordered a small portion of oyakodon(2) to eat while Kiba and Shino both opted to have gyudon(3) with raw egg.

"So what we gonna do tonight?"

Kiba was addressing her but she was confused as to what he was referring to.

"Ummm… I suppose we are going to go to the Christmas bazaar…?" That was the best guess she could come up with.

Kiba sighed melodramatically at her response. "No no! What I meant was how are we going to celebrate tonight?"

Hinata looked at Shino for some indication of what Kiba was referring to. None. She couldn't see his eyes through his sunglasses and the view of his mouth was blocked by the high collar of his shirt.

"I-Im sorry Kiba but I'm a little confused as to what you are talking about…" Kiba stared at her as though she had just grown horns and spoken greek to him.

"Hinata! Don't tell me you have forgotten that you turn 18 today! Your 18th birthday is only once in a lifetime! We gotta celebrate it somehow!"

Oh.

She had forgotten it was her birthday after what she had gone through the night before.

Her birthday was insignificant.

She smiled. "You don't have to…"

"We want to Hinata-san."

She looked at Shino in surprise. He rarely spoke unless he deemed it necessary. She blushed as she realized it had not been Kiba alone who had wanted to celebrate her coming of age. Shino wanted to as well. He wouldn't have said anything otherwise.

"Alright then…" She nodded in agreement at the both of them and smiled a little shyly. Kiba punched the air as he hooted in delight. Shino simply bowed his head and said "Good".

"Excellent! We will go to the Christmas bazaar then go to the Barbeque restaurant to treat you! It will be awesome!" Kiba was obviously excited.

"Thank you." Hinata was touched they wanted to celebrate her birthday. Normally, they would simply wish her happy birthday and give her the gifts they had bought. Nothing fancy or special. Just a couple of thoughtful gifts for a friend and a simple greeting to commemorate the day.

After they concluded their meal, they parted ways promising to meet that evening at the bazaar. Hinata went about her work efficiently and quickly so she wouldn't have to rush back to her apartment to prepare for her birthday 'celebration' that evening.

At about four in the afternoon she was happy to find that she had completed all the work that had been assigned to her and that she would not have to rush back to her apartment after all. Kiba had told her to arrive at seven that evening.

She needed to do something first. Or rather, find someone.

Gaara.

She was embarrassed as she recalled her thoughtless behavior the night before.

What had she been thinking?

She had come to the conclusion that an apology was in order. She didn't want him to think that she made a habit out of going up to guys and touching them unnecessarily.

Now the only trouble was… She wasn't sure where or how to locate him.

However, her dilemma was unexpectedly solved when she almost collided into Sakura as she walked the street aimlessly, deep in thought.

"Woah! Hinata-san, be careful. You might fall over something if you don't watch your step." Sakura teased her as she stopped Hinata from falling over.

"Ah! Gomen Sakura-san." Hinata blushed at her clumsiness.

"It's alright. I had almost fallen over Ton-Ton this morning after I met with Tsunade-sama."

"Oh. Why?" Hinata asked for politeness sake although she was anxious to be on her way. She needed to go and find Gaara before it became too late.

"Well, I was just so shocked when she told me that Gaara-san was going to be staying in Konoha as a member of the village while Shikamaru was going to be in Suna! Apparently Suna and Konoha have decided that having the ninja platoons in each village was a little troublesome and uncomfortable so a new post has been made for one ninja from each village to stay for several weeks at a time as a representative. A pretty good idea in my opinion but really! Did it HAVE to be Gaara? He isn't all that stable you know. I am not sure what Tsunade-sama was thinking when she agreed to allow him to stay…" Sakura continued to ramble on some more but Hinata wasn't listening. She was in shock.

Gaara was here to stay?

She snapped out of her stupor eventually and managed to ask the right questions to find out where he was staying. Apparently, Tsunade-sama had managed to get an apartment for Gaara near the Hokage head-office. She must have decided that it would be easier to keep track of him that way. Hinata knew the building.

She discreetly made her excuses to Sakura-san, careful not to let her notice her shock and bewilderment over the news, before taking off towards Gaara's apartment building.

At the mail boxes in the lobby of the building, she scanned for his name, relieved to see that Tsunade-sama had been efficient in updating the names and addresses when she found his name.

Sabaku no Gaara…

Gaara of the Sand…

There must have been a gust of wind because Hinata felt a chill go down her spine.

Odd…

She went up to the floor indicated on his mailbox and found his door without mishap. Hinata hesitated, suddenly feeling very awkward and unsure of what to do. She did not want to see him again. She was afraid that he would be angry with her. He surely didn't want to see her again after her uncouth behavior the night before.

Touching him…

Feeling the warmth that seeped through his shirt…

Hinata!

Get a hold of yourself!

She needed to stop thinking about Gaara as a man and start thinking of him as a ninja. An ally. A powerful individual to be kept at a distance…

But that was so sad…

Forcefully shaking her head to rid herself of ridiculous thoughts, she resolutely stopped her illogical musings and faced the problem she had at the moment.

How is she going to apologize to Gaara if she couldn't find the backbone necessary to face him?

Shutting her eyes tightly and bracing her knuckles to knock on the door, Hinata mentally counted in her head before she rapped on his entrance.

On three…

One…

Two…

"Yes?"

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of Gaara's voice.

Hinata felt all of the oxygen in her lungs disappear along with all the blood in her face. The door was still shut.

His voice had come from behind her.

She twisted around quickly to face him. He was lounging against the wall of the corridor, arms crossed at his chest and eyes lazily studying her as she stood there unable to move.

Say something!

"Umm… I-I…" Oh please don't stutter! You didn't stutter last night! "Iwantedtoapologizeformyinexcusablebehaviortowardsyoulastnight."

One breath.

He didn't so much as blink. She could have sworn his lips twitched slightly as though he wanted to smirk but then she blinked in surprise and his expression was no different from a moment ago.

"Excuse me? I didn't quite get that…"

"Oh! Sumimasen! I-I said I wanted to apologize for my inexcusable behavior towards you last night. I-I-I am not sure what came over me." She bowed as low as she could and was thankful at the brief opportunity to hide the blush on her pale skin.

"…"

Hinata looked up and slowly straightened as she waited for him to show any indication of accepting, or at the very least understanding, what she had just said.

"G-Gaarasama…?" His eyes were still on her.

Looking straight at her eyes…

She kept shifting her eyes from his nose to his chin, not daring to stare straight back at him.

"Look at me."

She could feel her face become hotter. She bit on her bottom lip and her hands fumbled frenziedly. She shook her head hard as she watched her thumbs and fingers dance around one another.

The air changed.

The atmosphere became heavy with negative currents directed straight at her.

Hinata controlled her breathing, trying not to let him get the better of her.

The sweat that rolled down the side of her cheek wasn't even noticed by her.

By it was by him.

"You're sweating."

She simply kept her eyes on her fingers. What else was she supposed to do?

She should leave. Yes. Leave.

"I-I-I will go now… I have an engagement later this evening and I will be late if I don't go now."

Good. To the point but polite.

Then she made a mistake.

She looked straight into his eyes.

It wasn't the cold, shuttered eyes that had gazed at her earlier, studying her with disinterest and boredom.

These eyes were filled with fire.

Icy. Hot. Turbulent. Searing her through to the bone.

She couldn't help the gasp that escaped her. Her hands instantly covered her mouth but her eyes didn't stop dilating or become any smaller.

She couldn't look away.

Admittedly, she was terrified and every instinct in every fiber of her very being screeched at her to flee.

But… She was mesmerized at the same time. No one had ever looked at her with eyes like his before. Filled with a dark void. Searching. No… Not searching. Hunting for an escape. And it was filled with emotion. Not quite hate yet an emotion nearly as strong. More turbulent. Indescribable.

His face was still as expressionless as before except for his eyes.

It only made him more beautiful.

And he was looking at her.

At her.

"Are you afraid, Hyuuga?"

She wasn't sure.

Slowly she shook her head. "I-I… I don't know…"

"You should be."

She didn't say a word.

She just kept looking at him. And his eyes never left hers.

"What do you see?"

"W-What?"

"What do you see? Can you see inside me? Are you able to catch so much as a glimpse of my soul with those eyes? Do you think… you even want to?"

Yes.

Hinata's eyes widened in panic, not at his questions, but at the answer that resounded in her mind.

"I… I…" She backed up, away from him. Only to find her back pressed against his apartment door.

Run.

And she did. Out of nowhere, she burst into a puff of smoke and disappeared.

Leaving Gaara with nothing more than the scent of her lingering in the air and in his veins…

Authors Note

LW : Okay. So I lied. There was more STARING action between them than anything else. OO It's just that I haven't been able to write much lately and it's been like 2 weeks since I updated and I'm getting annoyed with myself. So this is all I have for now. I am so sad… It is so short compared to my other chapters (except the first one I think). Jeeezzzzz… I will update soon though. Semester is almost done so I will have more time to dedicate to my lovely fictions. Please bear with me. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry for the short chapter. The next one will pick up where this left off and more Hinata/Gaara interaction. OO He really needs to stop freaking her out (And she needs to stop making him freaked out or freak her out). Tsk tsk… Hope you enjoyed it all the same.

Hinata : He… He… He looked at me! With those eyes! It… it… :swoons:

LW : Okay… OO :pokes: You gotta get up. You have a nudie scene with him in the next chapter.

Gaara : WHAT?

LW : Ehhhhhh… Did I say 'nudie'? Eh heh… I meant… ummmm… I mean… :runs:

Follow up Authors Note

1) Domburi : Domburi is a general term for "bowl". However, it is also the name of a popular Japanese Dish : a bowl of cooked rice with some other food put on top of it. There exist a variety of domburi dishes, differing in the toppings.

2) Oyakudon (Oyako Domburi) : aka Mother and Child Domburi. The name of this popular domburi dish comes from its two main ingredients, chicken and egg. Very rarely, a domburi with salmon and ikura (salmon eggs) may also be called Oyakodon.

3) Gyudon (Gyuniku Domburi) : aka Beef Domburi. Gyudon is very popular as an inexpensive type of fast food served at chain stores across the country. It tastes particularly good when mixed with a raw egg.

I am a total review/stat whore! XD

Hahaha! I get all 'goosebumpy'(made up the word XD) every time I check my email and I see the magical 'botfanfiction review'. EEEK! Someone reviewed:jumps and twirls and shrieks with joy: Very undignified and very embarrassing in the college computer lab once I snap out of it. .;; But! Do please continue to leave me this much loved reviews:hugs:

faerie-killer – Awwww! Thanks a lot for the positive review! Yes I do think that she would be a lovely leader but in this fic, she doesn't want the title or the silent and cruel whisperings of the other Hyuugas constantly reminding her that Hanabi is the one they want. So she gives it up. Poor thing. The burden of the Hyuuga destiny is always terrible and heavy for one so frail and gentle. Anyway, I know there wasn't much in this chapter but I hope you liked it anyhow. See you at the next chappie k?

Faith-Catherine – Wow… Such high praise! I'm flattered that you think my story is the best Hinata/Gaara pairing. .;; But I am sure that there are a number of fics on this pairing as good. Thank you for the support:hugs: And yes I love the part where she lost her head and touched him too. I am a little perv. Bad LW! LoL!

FullMetalDemonCross – LoL! Hey thank you for the review and support! I wub you all for it so much! TTTT I wish I had time to make this chapter longer but yeah. There you go. Hope you enjoyed it all the same. And as for that term, I have an idea for a little one shot with these two where I think I will use it but it still with my muse to throw around. XD Thanks again!

Kya Jaganshi – Hehehe! Maybe she does feel more 'free'. But I think in the last chapter she was just trying to absorb the gravity of what had just occurred and totally lost her head thus making her act out of the ordinary. And I think I will have to have a look at your fic about my poor Gaara:hugs him-he growls-lets him go real quick: Okay… Anyways! Hope you liked this short chapter… I will make it longer next one. Must… make… time… KYAAAAA! GAMBATTE!

Limit – I'm soooooooo touched you love my fic! I love you for loving my fic! TTTT And yeah – Temari is the Kazekage. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It just seemed like the logical choice to me… But that's a totally different story. XD As for Shikamaru and Temari… :Cackles ebilly: we'll just have to see ne? Please watch out for the next chapter! It will be longer!

akasha – Thanks so much for the review! I hope you liked this chapter despite the shortness. ;; Next one will be longer. It must! Anyhooo… Keep watching out for this hmm? Lotsa love to you!

1337m3 – Awwww… Thanks for the compliment. I try my best! As for Temari, she is just such a cool strong woman that I couldn't resist. She has loads of qualities I thought would make an awesome leader so yeah… hope it turns out well for her. :P :hugs: Watch out for the next chapter!

Rynx-Too-Genki – I love it too! XD Thanks for loving it! And Hinata has an apartment (as you can see in this chapter). She made preparations before announcing her decision to the council. And I hope Gaara and Hinata get on Okay too… they seem to freak each other out. Oddities and similarities do that to you I guess… Watch out for the next chapter k:hugs: Lotsa love (& reviews please)! LoL!

Demeterr – Hahaha! Thanks for the enthusiasm! I'm so happy you are enjoying the ride! I apologize for the rather short chapter but time is not plentiful lately -.- But watch out! The next one will be longer!

iLychLuna – Yay! I helped iLychLuna get her Gaara/Hinata groove back! One lost soul – saved! Hahahaha! I am so happy you enjoyed the 4th chapter. I tried my best to make her relationship to Hiashi and Hanabi seem realistic. While there is no pure hate between them, there definitely seems to be negative vibes for a reason and I didn't want to ignore that. At the same time-Hinata loves them and I think they must feel something akin to that for her too. As for Temari… Yeah she is soooo awesome isn't she? I love her! I wonder what is going to happen when Shikamaru is in Suna… LoL! Hope you liked this chappie and stayed tuned for the next one k:hugs:

KyuubiPandoraChan – Updated! Hahaha! I liked the touching too ;) And thanks for complimenting my portrayal of their family. I tried my best. It's nice to know it wasn't wasted effort. Stay tuned for the following chapter-longer than this shorty chappie.

captain jimmy – Nice to know you liked the last chapter:Sweatdrops: I'm sorry you didn't get your dual-POV wish but maybe in the next chapter k:Grabs the Cadbury Crème Eggs before you take em away: And sorry for the short chapter! Next one will be longer 

Nami-chan – Yayness! More Hinata + Gaara! LoL! Hope you liked this chapter! Stay tuned for the next one!

twisted child – You think it good! Happy Happy Joy Joy! Thank you so much! Watch out for the next chapter!

CrazyHormoneGurls – Ahhhhhhhh! Thank you soooo much! (I am such a fav whore!) Im so happy you think this is a good Gaara/Hinata fic (although I am sure there are other better ones somewhere )! Do watch out for the following chapter! Will be great:dances in a flower field:

dreaming-freak – LoL! Updated babes!  And yes, Gaara isn't made of stone no matter how he tries to convince us he is. I don't believe it! Hinata will break down all his defences for uis to see! MUAHAHAHAHAHA:Gaara glares and sends sand after me: MEEP! Gotta run! Watch out for the next longer chapter!

Neurotic.Engel – Thank you so much for the review and compliment! Yesit does seeman ickle bit rushed but I did my best XD I will prolly re-write the whole fic when I am done with it! In the meantime-do stay tuned till the finale hmm? Thanks again!

Maiyuko-Chan – Ehhehhehheh… I never thought of it being very original. I thought she was a suitable choice and a strong character too. And thank you for saying it is a cool, well-written fic! It does me heart (and ego! LoL!) good ;) Watch out for the next update!

animegrl15 – Ohhhh… Someone luvs my writing style:wipes tear from her eye: LoL! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will read the next update too:Hugs:

naraku93 – Hahaha! Updated! ;-) Watch out for my next one k:hugs: And they are very kawaii ne? XP

Blue Quartz Foxy – Oh my! Did I imply that I thought you were a guy? Gomennasai! Im so glad you love and support my story! Sorry for the rather short chapter but the next one will be longer k? Thank You!

kitty demon – Awwwww! You are too cute! And sweet:grabs the cookie: Muahahahaha! Actually, it was only after you listed the events of my story that I am beginning to realize how I am juggling all the characters. Wow… I am not doing such a bad job… XD LoL! Yeah anyways I am working on character developments and other smaller characters (:cough:Temari:cough:Shikamaru:cough:) XD although not much cause I really want the story to stay focused on Gaara+Hinata. Glad you are enjoying the show though! Hee hee… And yay for the fanfiction id! It is awesome

rx79guntank – LoL! I wonder why too! Hahahaha! Seriously though, I dunno… maybe she just wanted to escape from the cage that is the Hyuuga destiny? Not that I think it will be much help although it will be an interesting show to see where she goes from here. And thank you for the sweet review (mysterious;beautiful;disastrous;wanting more XD :watches ego swell up and threaten to burst:) luv:hugs: Btw! My Gaara is not a stalker! ;; He is a demented Lonesome monster! Get it right! XD LoL!

Daifuku Obsessed – Ne…? You must explain what '(un)canon' and '(un)fanon' means to me dear. XD I am afraid I am not familiar with the meanings although I have seen the terms before. Thanks babes! And please… No need to envy or grovel! XD Just leave wonderfully reviews to 'encourage' me to update! Hahaha!

Jyuuken7Hinata – I luff you for luffing my humble fic:hugs: Watch out for my next better longer update k? XD Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

SsAnImE – Your so sweet love:huggles: Look out for my next update! The chapter will be longer! XD

Demo-san – "I"? Hope that means "Great fic!" LoL! XD Anyways! Thanks so much for faving this fic:hugs: The next chappie be longer! Look out! Yay!

kittydemon18 – EEK! You again! LoL! 0 Yes I like Temari as Kazekage ;) She is awesome ne? And Hanabi… well… I think she is a very complex character that needs more delving into. Personally, I don't think she wants to lose her sister (as far apart as they are from one another as they are) for a title that she doesn't really want or need. Hmmm… Complez character are… complex aren't they? ;; Anyways! Look out for my next chapter:hugs:

randomangel – Thanks for the love! And they are such an adorable couple aren't they? Now if they can just stop freaking each other out… Watch out for the next chapter. I can't wait!

Xian – Thanks! I will do my best! Look out for my next chapter! Longer chapter promised:crosses fingers behind back: XD LoL!