Title What do you see when you look at me?
Author lonelywhisperz
Genre Romance/General
Rating 18+ (Sorry for the change but things are getting a little hot…!)
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 Two people looking for peace in the solitary darkness find themselves thrown together in the strangest setting…
Chapter Seven Don't…

The old lamps on the side of the streets lit up the pathways of Konohagakure with a dull yellow shine that did nothing to improve the sights.

Hinata didn't mind the lack of light though.

It was much easier to avoid contact with others if there were no bright lights to announce one's presence.

She avoided the bazaar and crowds, intent on having some privacy and time alone. Fortunately, there were hardly any people around the rest of the village since most were either at home asleep at this late hour or had gone to the Christmas bazaar to get their last minute Christmas gifts and spend time with their friends and family.

Walking slowly, she headed towards the riverside(1) once more. No one else knew this but it was in fact Hinata's favorite place in the village. From as young as four, she had gone to the riverside to sit against a tree, surrounded by bushes to hide when she needed to cry or be alone or hide. The sound of the waterfall in the background, rather than annoy her, only served to sooth her nerves and made her feel better.

When she was in her teens, she had caught Jiraiya-sama spying on some girls who had gone to swim in the river and tan themselves in the sun. She had been on the tree branch enjoying the summer breeze when she saw the lecherous old man ogle the girls from behind the bushes he hid behind. Silently, she had summoned a rabbit to jump in the bushes near him and alert the girls of him and his indecent activities.

Later, when she found out who he was, she had panicked slightly feeling sure he would know it had been her who had given him away since he was one of the legendary ninjas. Luckily, when he was introduced to her he had acted as though he had no idea who she was and later winked at her when no one else was noticing.

She made sure, from then on, not to wander around the river when he was in the village. Personally, she preferred the river and waterfall at night anyway.

As she expected, no one was there.

Hinata stood there, by the river, looking like a lost little girl in her oversized jacket, shorts and slippers. Her hair flew about her face as the wind picked up. Shivering, she pulled the jacket around herself, wishing she had had the foresight to wear something a little warmer than shorts and slippers.

Staring at the water impassively, she contemplated having a skinny dip. Uncertainly, she took off her slipper and tested the water with her toe.

It wasn't cold but not warm either.

She could use her T-shirt to dry herself off later and wear her shorts and jacket back to the apartment. The moon was nothing more than a sliver of silver in the sky now. It was so dark that even if anyone came walking by; she could hide in the waterfall and go unnoticed.

A soak in the river was undeniably tempting, but the possibility of being seen was frightening and potentially embarrassing beyond measure.

Still… It has been almost a year since she had skinny dipped and it was something she had always found to be quite pleasurable. Hot springs simply weren't the same as a river and waterfall.

Looking around to make sure there was no one around, she retreated into some of the denser bushes close to the waterfall to get undressed.

She hid her clothes under the bush and then swiftly entered the water, relishing the sensation of water engulfing her body in its warm folds.

Submerged completely in the water, she took off her restraining hair band and allowed her hair to be free. She came up for air and took her time paddling through the water gently flowing against her.

It was easy to feel relaxed in the water. She didn't need to think of her clan or missions or how lonely she felt. Her eyes closed and her head leaning back against the riverbed, she just enjoyed the sensation of the lukewarm water and cool air.

She could just… be.

It was so peaceful. The wind made the trees dance with them and seemed to make the night sing all around her. The flowing water eased the tension in her body, allowing her mind to forget the life that has caused her to shed so many tears and simply absorb the beauty of being alive now, in this place that was so magical she wished the sun would never rise.

Hinata shivered as the wind chilled her shoulders that were above the water. Again, she dunked herself into the river and swam towards waterfall gracefully. Submerging under the falling water, she enjoyed the water streaming on top of her.

Wonderful.

Hinata laughed again at the beauty that surrounded her. Why was it she never took the time to enjoy this anymore? This was true beauty and happiness. The freedom to… be. No impossible expectations or unattainable goals to reach up to.

She washed her hair in the clean water, wondering at the length of. She knew that she hadn't done more than trim it for the past 3 years but it was amazing how long and straight it was. Deep down, she knew she had kept it long because she had hoped that she would become more feminine and womanly than she had been as a child but it didn't seem to have any effect. She didn't feel different. But it was nice to have long hair. Her mother had had lovely long hair that she had admired as a young girl who secretly detested the short boy crop her father insisted she kept as ninjas couldn't have anything distracting them from missions or fights.

Now, she was happy she refused to cut it and let it grow out. It had not hindered her ninja skills development in the least. Her father had refused to admit to anything but she knew that that was as close to approval that she would ever get.

She sighed contentedly. It would be a long time before she would have the chance to do this again so she might as well make the most of it.

Life had a knack of getting in the way of simple pleasures.

She floated on the surface of the river, paddling her hands slightly to make sure she didn't get washed along with the river. Too late, she heard the footsteps coming closer and the rustling bushes too loud to be made by a small animal.

Someone was approaching.

Hinata panicked slightly at the possibility of someone walking unto her in her state of undress. She stepped back to hide behind the falling water and lowered herself until only her nose and eyes were visible in the water. Hopefully, the person (or persons) would just pass by. Then she could get her clothes and go home before anyone realized she was ever there.

Luck was not on her side.

She could make out the person by the river standing there without any indication of leaving. It seems that she had not been the only person who wanted to find some time to be alone by the river.

Licking her lips, she weighed her options. Hide behind the waterfall until the person left which could be hours from now or attempt sneaking her clothes away silently and leaving as quickly as possible.

Both were a gamble.

But the thought of having to hide there for hours was not a pleasant one, especially since the person might spot her anyway. Sneaking away with her clothes was risky but was, in Hinata's opinion, more plausible.

Grateful for the waterfall's constant noise, she wadded to shore and headed towards the bushes under which she hid her clothes praying that she wouldn't be noticed.

Then the earth shifted beneath her feet.

Literally.

As soon as she felt the earthquake, Hinata jumped towards a tree branch not wanting to alert the person who was still standing by the river of her presence.

Less than five inches above the ground from which she jumped, her legs were engulfed by the earth and she was jerked back down. Thrown off balance and feeling her legs circulation being cut off suddenly caused her to gasp.

"Oh my god." She couldn't help the shaky whisper that escaped her as she attempted to free herself of her unexpected captor and cover her nakedness.

What in the world-

"Who is there?"

Hinata couldn't believe her ears as she looked at the man that was approaching her. The person by the riverside was a dark silhouette which she still couldn't see but she did not need her eyes to know who it was now.

Gaara.

It explained what she had thought was an earthquake. Gaara had sensed her and probably thought it was an intruder thus capturing her with the sand he had managed to summon from the earth. She recalled Lee accounting the amazing ability that Gaara had displayed when he had fought against Orochimaru's henchman.

She closed her eyes as she blushed furiously at the situation that she had been thrown in. There she was, naked as the day she was born, covering as much as she could of herself with her arms while her legs were trapped in rock-solid sand half way up her knees.

And Gaara was about to see her.

Dying would be a sweet blessing at this moment.

Breathing in deeply to gather enough strength to speak, Hinata opened her eyes to look at the man whom she was sure would crush her if she gave him half a reason.

"D-don't come any closer Gaara-sama. I-it is only me… H-h-hinata…"

The shadow halted midway as he registered the voice and paused to study the dark figure that was trapped in front of him.

"The Hyuuga?"

"H-hai… I-I-I had n-no idea you would be here. G-Gomen… I-if you c-c-could let me g-go, I w-will not b-b-bother you." Hinata bit her lower lip, hoping he would do as she asked and not come any closer before she had a chance to get dressed. As it was, the cold air around her was making her shiver almost uncontrollably and her hair was plastered against her head causing her to feel almost feverish.

Hinata felt instant relief as the sand around her legs began to loosen its hold on her.

But it was loosening very slowly as her legs were still unable to be released and she was horrified to find Gaara actually approaching her quickly before she was freed.

"Gaara-sama! No!" Was that her voice? Hinata could not recognize it herself but managed to register the absurdity of being concerned of how she sounded when Gaara was about to see her nakedness.

"Why are you shouting at-"

He stopped dead in his tracks two feet away from her as his eyes finally managed to take in the sight of her. He literally blinked once, stopped moving and stood there looking at her.

And to Hinata's absolute horror, she felt the sand hold her firmly in place again in it's strangle hold. Unable to stand it any more, she shut her eyes tight and bent her head down as her hands covered her as modestly as they were capable considering her unbelievable situation.

She could feel his eyes on her and she blushed harder at the thought of him seeing what no other man had ever seen.

She wanted to cry at the humiliation of it all.

Her skin was feeling cold as ice by now and the shivering couldn't be controlled any longer but she couldn't care less. All she wanted now was to be released and go home.

"Gaara… P-p-please… Let m-me g-g-go…"

Hinata opened her eyes slowly to see if he gave any indication of heeding her plea.

What she saw made her heart stop beating.

The deep aquamarine depths of his eyes devoured her. Suddenly, she didn't feel as cold as she did just a moment before.

It was the strangest sight.

Gaara's eyes traveled up from her curvaceous thighs - lingering at the sight of her womanhood which she tried her best to shield - to her small waist and firm belly before proceeding to study her generous but pert breasts.

Finally, his eyes were done surveying her entire body and came up to seize her eyes. The starved craving that filled his searing gaze burned her as she felt herself become enflamed at the thought of touching him and going further than she had ever considered with any man.

"Oh my god…" The words escaped her lips before her brain could register any thought of it.

Hinata's sudden exclamation made Gaara blink and seemed to break the spell they both had been caught in. He turned his back to her and folded his arms across his chest.

As fast as she had been caught by the sand, she was released. Stumbling to the ground, she looked up at Gaara's stiff back dazedly wondering what had just occurred.

"Put on your clothes."

"W-wha-"

"Now!"

She gave a start at the tone of his voice and hurriedly got to her feet to get her clothes. By the time she had managed to dry her skin and hair with her cotton shirt - it was much too damp to wear so she had to forgo that possibility and donned her undergarments, shorts and jacket. Zipping the jacket up all the way up to her chin, she stuffed the shirt and her hands into the pockets hoping regain feeling in her fingers once more.

The awkwardness in the air made her wonder what she should do now. Leaving without saying a word wasn't really a good idea but what was she supposed to say to him? Making conversation of any kind was stupid after what had transpired.

Shuffling her feet back and forth, Hinata stole a few glances at Gaara who was still standing determinedly with his back to her.

Perhaps it would be best to just leave…

"What are you doing to me?"

Hinata stared at the man who had twisted around to look at her, feeling confused and thrown off balance at his question.

"I… I am n-not sure w-w-what you mean, G-Gaara-sama…"

"I want to know what it is you are doing to me!" His eyes flashed in the dark at her and the sand flew up like a wall around them at the force of his frustration.

Hinata covered her ears to drown out the sound of the raging sands and to protect her face. Her hair flew erratically around from the force of air around her.

Once the sand settled, Hinata tried to sputter something rational to calm him down - not wanting to be crushed to death only hours after she turned eighteen.

"I-I-I'm n-not trying t-to do a-a-anything to y-you!"

"Yet you are."

Hinata wanted to run away. The conversation had taken on a dark turn and she did not want to pursue it any longer.

As she took a step backwards, she could feel the sands circling her ankle warningly. Gaara's eyes warned her of such a folly as well.

She couldn't help her eyes from widening in shock at what happened next…

Gaara's stomach emitted a low but definite growl.

The comical horror that was evident on her face couldn't be erased quickly enough to escape his notice but the feeling of dread had been replaced by natural concern and maternal instinct.

Hinata had never been a person who could watch another go hungry.

Very carefully, she took a step towards him. "G-Gaara-sama… A-a-are y-you hungry?"

The look that he threw at her was designed to make her back off and leave him alone. In fact, she was quite sure that he had what many considered a deadly gaze that would be fatal if 'looks' had the ability to kill.

"G-G-Gaara-sama. Haven't you eaten anything this evening?" He seemed determined not to answer her but she wasn't going to back down either. "Gaara-sama?"

"I haven't eaten since I arrived to Konohagakure." His lips produced a sneer as though the very thought of eating anything in the village was repulsive.

Hinata couldn't help feeling shocked at the answer she received. That meant that he has not eaten anything for the last 2 days. And who knew what he had on the three day journey to nourish him.

"But why? Surely you must be hungry!"

"I do not eat that which I do not prepare myself, preferably with materials and ingredients I procured myself from unsuspicious origins."

"I don't understand?" She couldn't imagine why he seemed to take the matter of eating so seriously. It was nourishment he required for strength and growth. She could feel the maternal inclinations in her chest threaten to burst at the thought of Gaara going hungry.

Gaara made no reply to her confusion. He chose to stare at the river instead his eyes cold as the wind that whipped around them. "It is fortunate for you that you do not need to understand or worry yourself on such seemingly trivial matters…"

As soon as he trailed off, Hinata realized the reason he had to be so cautious.

"Your afraid of being poisoned?"

His eyes became small slits that cut through her as they rested on her. "I assure you Hyuuga that I am 'afraid' of nothing… I simply may not let my guard down on such matters."

He was worried of getting poisoned. The knowledge astounded Hinata. Was his life as the demon container so severely difficult that he may not even eat a meal without worrying if an attempt on his life is being made?

Feeling teary eyed at the image of him going hungry out of fear of being assassinated, Hinata bit her lower lip that trembled slightly.

"Well… If you l-like… Maybe I could p-prepare something for you…?" She waited for him to answer her mentally strengthening herself for a fight if he refused.

He did not however reject her outright as she originally expected. His eyes narrowed at her suspiciously uncertain of her sincerity and trustworthiness. Licking her cold, dry lips she tried her best to look ingenuous.

"There is no reason for me to believe you to be trustworthy."

She was startled at his answer. He didn't trust her? "B-but I hardly know you. What reason would I have to attempt to poison you?"

Again his mouth twisted from a straight severe line into a vicious sneer. "That, my naïve Hyuuga, is the very reason I may not trust you. You do not have any personal connection to my person and would therefore have nothing to lose by assassinating me if you were offered a price high enough to buy your temporary service. There are no emotional ties to stop you from the act of murder if you were convinced that my death would benefit the world and all within it."

The silence stretched endlessly as she registered what he had just said to her.

He spoke from experience…

She could hear it in his voice. The harshness revealing the determination to view the past objectively from which he learned a painful lesson in trust.

"S-so… if we knew one another better… you would trust me enough to eat what I made?"

"…"

"Gaara-sama…?"

"No."

She was confused and strangely hurt by his reply. It must have been reflected clear as day on her face as he watched her expressions change rapidly to match her emotions.

As she was feeling torn on what to do next and how to convince him that she had no ulterior motives, he quietly closed the gap between them.

Before she had the opportunity to react, he caught her chin with his hand and lifted her head to look into his eyes exactly as he had the first night they had met on her rooftop.

The feeling of déjà vu was overpowering as the increased awareness of the man standing in front of her had multiplied every time she had thought of him and imagined his aquamarine eyes.

"You aren't as afraid as you were before… Not nearly as afraid as you were earlier or this afternoon…"

"I-I-I g-guess not." She felt breathless being so close to him.

"What has changed Hyuuga?"

Hinata hesitated in answering, unsure of how he may react. He did not take kindly to being underestimated or put down no matter how unmeant it was.

"Y-you must not be angry with me… Promise…?" Her whispered words may have been soft and pleading but the sincerity behind her eyes and expression could not have been feigned no matter how good an actress she was.

"…… I shall not be angry with anything you say Hyuuga."

"W-well… Y-you seem… more human now… not like…" She didn't know how to explain it but he appeared to have understood what she meant. His eyes bored into hers demanding the truth because anything else would serve neither of them any good.

"Less like a demon, is that it? More man than devil?" He seemed almost amused at the way she was less fearful of him for such a flimsy reason. "It may be better for you to view me otherwise Hyuuga…"

Involuntarily, she lifted a hand to touch his cheek. He didn't reject her although he watched her arm warily as his jaw clenched. Feeling a little more bold, her other hand proceeded to touch his other cheek.

"I can't believe you to be a demon Gaara-sama…"

"Then you are a fool…" Chillingly, his hand moved from her chin to her throat, easily encircling more than half of it with his large hand.

"If you wanted to kill me… you would have done it before now…" Hinata called his bluff, forcing her heart not to stop beating.

"Ohhh…?" His sand began to come back to life again and to her utter shock, some actually got under her jacket and began to unzip her jacket. She immediately tried to stop the zipper with both her hands but the sand quickly restrained them where they were – at Gaara's nape.

Gaara's eyes never left Hinata's.

As her jacket was almost opened completely, he leaned in to her ear and whispered in the cruelest, coldest voice she had ever heard. "I could violate you in every disgusting way you can imagine and in a hundred different ways that you could never imagine and then kill you slowly and painfully before watching you breathe your last breath."

Hinata's breaths came quick and hard as her mind rushed a hundred miles an hour. "Are you going to?" She couldn't believe she asked him such a thing.

"… I could."

"B-but… you won't will you?"

The zipper of her jacket immediately shot back up to the top again and the sand dissipated once more, harmlessly lifeless on the ground. Hinata's hands stayed in Gaara's hair, holding his head close to her own.

Deliciously close.

"You are playing with fire Hyuuga…" Gaara's hand moved to her nape, caressing the sensitive spot there that made her shiver.

"This isn't a game to play Gaara-sama…"

"No… Not a game. A gamble would be a more apt description…"

"… And what are the stakes…?"

"Nothing less than your life…"

"Is that what Shukaku is demanding…?"

"…"

"Gaara-sama…?"

"You should run while you still can…" His eyes burned as she weighed the options she had for a decision she did not want to make.

But it was terribly difficult to think when their lips were so close to one another and she was dimly aware of the decreasing space and air between them.

"I-I-I can't…"

"Times up Hyuuga…"

"Gaara-sama… Don't-"

And then their lips touched.

Authors Note

LW : HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hope this was an interesting chapter for y'all! I busted my head trying to write this! I wanted it to flow and wanted both of em to be in character while slowly coming together but still maintain the relevant storyline for upcoming chapters! Hope it worked! Hee hee… I know loads of u thought 'nudie scene' meant both got nude but guess what? LoL! Thus the advice of never jumping to conclusions! Hahaha! Gyah! Gaara is soooooo smexy he makes my head spin and not be able to write!

Hinata : …:faints:

LW : O.O uh oh…

Gaara : What the hell?

LW : Uhhhhhh… Oh why do I bother:runs:

Follow up Authors Note

1) You know the river in which Naruto practices with Jiraiya to summon the frogs? That is the one I am referring to :P

A review a day, keeps the men in white jackets away!

Wow! I am impressed by the number of lovely long reviews I got! Hahahahahahaha I think you all are so adorable! Thank you so much for the continuous flow of encouragement and support! XD I WUV REVIEWS! Especially long ones! Hee hee… They make my day-shallow person that I am! LoL! But trust me-even if only one of you reviewed my fic for me then I will continue this story… Especially since I would like to know what happens in the end as well. O.O Very nerve wreaking watching this two tip toe around each other… Anyways! Do leave a little love after reading this if you liked (or hated!) this chapter:hugs:

Painting.In.Blood Tell me about it! I can't say I dislike the Hyuuga love thing (I have read a few VERY nice fics on it) but the main attraction is the personality of Neji. I can only imagine the clash of Neji and Gaara. Hehe! But there is still nothing confirmed about it yet. I may or may not include the little love-triangle drama thing. We will see hmm?

crazytreeotaku Hey! Thank you so much for the compliment! I shall definitely try to update faster! And yes I know what you mean about love triangles that feel weird if it isn't done right. That is why I am still trying to see how I shall incorporate it into the storyline without letting it take over. And yes I know how to reply to reviews… it is just less messy for my inbox if I do it here. Plus I like it like this. Btw, thnx for explaining the 'het' thing! LoL! I agree! We must have some 'het' love or else we wont have more ninjas! But Yaoi is sweet now and then! Hehe!

WhitePeony Wow! 3 reviews back to back! Thank you! I hope my story will live up to your expectations! And yes I think she does deserve their love although I know that they will find a greater love elsewhere eventually! They deserve love too… Oh my sweet darlings:hugs Neji, Kiba and Shino:

LaDyPnAi Thank you! I changed the title to 'Hikari'! Hope you enjoy the story!

Akuma I love you:hugs: LoL! And as a matter of fact, the first and third chapter is also my favourite and I reread them many times over as well! I am so happy that I am able to share this fic with you all! Enjoy!

Foxtrot LoL! Yes it is a face with the eyes closed from smiling so widely! XD I am soooo pleased to know you enjoyed my other Kiba+Hina lemon (hopes you are old enough to actually read such stories). And yes… :ahem: a lemon MAY be arranged for this fic but may be cut out considering how many young readers there are. I have a great fear of being hunted down by outraged parents. Sorry you had to wait so long for this chapter! Please enjoy! Next one coming in a couple of weeks! Btw, say hi to kitty too!

Franchescadora ehh… O.O" here it is? Please don't kill me…

rx79guntank Hahaha! I have finally returned your stuff! Bet you wont review now huh? LoL! I should go get more stuff to hold hostage. Anyways! Hinata is only crushed on by her team mates and neji. I don't really think that makes her the number one chick that everyone is after. Besides, if I was a guy I have to admit that Hinata is my ideal girl. The sweet shy adorable girl that is determined in her own way… Sigh… To each their own hmm?

skydiamond Thank you I am glad you are enjoying yourself! And yes she does. Years of being told she is second rate was not good on her confidence. Hmmm… I shall try not to make it toooooo draggy but I am not going to rush it either. I will do my best! And yes, I will slip in a bit of side romance as well. Shika/Tem is soooo cute!

dreaming-freak Woooooooowwww! Loooooong review! LoL! I am happy you enjoyed my portrayal of Gaara! Hope you continue to feel that way till the end:bows: And yes I say TRIANGLE because I don't intend for Hinata's team mates to get involved if I do incorporate it into the plot. Just Neji since he is the most likely to make it worth our while. Hee hee! And No it isn't unrealistic in my opinion for Hinata to be crushed on by her team mates and cousin. As her team mates are her best friends, it is unsurprising emotions are developed and often lead to love (I know a number of guys falling in love with close girl friends that will never be theirs. Sad…). And Neji… Well, I think it is just that he couldn't help but notice her and developed those feelings against his will (see last chapter). Poor confused fella. But I agree! Gaa/Hina RULES! Hehehehe… They did meet up… with what seems to be explosive results… Wonder where this will go… Hahahaha! We will find out what Kakashi gave her later k? He he… And I know that a lot of people didn't expect Neji to get Hinata anything so it had to be special! Something thoughtful and unique. Jewelry is sooooo last century. LoL! Anyways! Hoped you enjoyed and please stay tuned for the next chappie:hugs: