Title What do you see when you look at me?
Author lonelywhisperz
Genre Romance/General
Rating 18+ (So no suing me if you are a minor! XD Duh!)
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 Could they have inadvertently opened pandora's box? What is running through their minds?
Chapter Eight Taste…

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Hinata had expected force.

She had been prepared to fight any aggression.

She would have stood a chance had he applied the slightest pressure to succumb her to his will.

However, the kiss was anything but that.

Electrifying…

That was what it was. The tingling in her spine vouched the truth of that.

Gaara's lips were soft and warm against her own. Gently persuading her… Asking her to allow him this rare and intimate contact with another being.

The touch of his lips was so tender…

So hesitantly inquisitive…

She realized then, as she responded to his kiss which was neither demanding nor rough, that she had been defeated the moment he captured her lips.

Hinata couldn't think anymore. Every bit of rationality, logic and self-preservation she possessed stayed silent as she drowned in the sensation and taste of Gaara. His hands on her nape and waist holding her close, her fingers twisting through his un-groomed mane as her palms felt the warmth of his skin

Only feel.

But what a feeling it was.

She felt engulfed by his warm large hands holding her close and by his scent and taste that blinded her senses.

Finally, they had to come up for air and she felt cold at the loss of his lips.

Laying her head against his shoulder, Hinata closed her eyes and willed herself to wake up from the dream she was sure she must be in.

"Hinata-san?"

Stubbornly, she refused to open her eyes and pressed her face further into his shoulder while trying her hardest to wish him away.

His fingers worked their way into her hair, slowly tangling themselves in her silky tresses. Her blush deepened as she enjoyed the feeling.

"Gaara…?"

His body stiffened against her at the intimate use of him name. Feeling foolish and rude, she let go of his shirt and backed away.

Her body cried out in retaliation at the loss of his heat.

"I…I…" She shook her head, not knowing what she wanted to say.

What did one say in such a situation?

"I warned you."

Hinata kept silent. That wasn't something she could deny. Even if he had warned her at the eleventh hour.

The wind howled around them both. Hinata didn't feel cold anymore though.

--- o O o ---

His stomach growled again.

Silently, Gaara cursed his physical needs that betrayed such weakness.

The Hyuuga looked up at him in alarm as if she only just remembered what had stopped him from lashing out at her in pure frustration and confusion.

"G-gaara-sama… Would you like to get something to eat?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, wondering what she was getting at.

"I told you already-"

"I know! B-but surely you can eat what I make for you if I prove it is in no way harmful!" She bit her lip praying he would at least give her the chance to help him.

Never mind the fact that she wasn't sure why she wanted to or had doubts about whether she should help him at all.

"…"

"Please…"

After another moment of silence and tense suspense, Hinata felt relieved to see him nod slightly at her. That was all she needed.

"Follow me please." She turned her head away shyly and took off, not waiting to see if he followed.

--- o O o ---

Her kitchen had never felt so tiny.

Hinata wondered what Kiba and Shino would have thought if they were to ever have the opportunity to see the scene playing out in her kitchen.

Her, cooking a simple pepper beef dish and preparing some mixed veggies for Gaara while he sat, stone-faced, at her dining table watching her every move without batting his eyelid once. When Neji had been sitting there earlier, she had felt as though a tiger was about to pounce on her. Now, it was as though a beast of indescribable proportions was there bidding the time when it would devour her whole.

She could barely breathe.

Since they had both left the riverside to make their way back to her apartment, she hadn't been able to look straight at him. It was nerve wrecking having him so close to her after what happened but she honestly wouldn't have been able to sleep that night thinking of him going hungry and cold alone out there.

I must be going crazy…

Considering the recent course of events she couldn't rule out that possibility. Then again, if going crazy made her feel more alive than she has been over the last couple of years… maybe it wasn't really as bad as it seemed.

After an age of swirling and frying the beef in its peppery sauce concoction, it was finally done. Swallowing hard, she tried not to show her nervousness as she placed the beef and vegetables on the table in front of Gaara.

"Please have some." She coaxed softly.

His eyes only glanced at the dishes momentarily before returning its intense gaze to her face again.

Hinata couldn't help but look away. There had been enough pressure and intensity in the last couple of days to last her the rest of her lifetime.

She didn't have it in her to look into the depth of his aquamarine eyes any longer.

She just wished he would eat.

The seconds ticked by and soon turned into minutes. Hinata couldn't stand it anymore.

"Wont you please eat? You saw me prepare it… Surely you can trust your own eyes?"

"…"

Glancing up slightly to see if he would oblige her and try some, she found him glaring at the food in distaste.

Hurt, she picked up the chopsticks and picked up a small slice of beef. Quickly, before she hesitated and showed any sign of insecurity, she put it in her mouth, chewed and swallowed.

He watched every movement of her jaw in silent fascination, as though he had never seen anyone eat before. She turned bright pink and felt somewhat silly at her little show.

"Here. Now you have some…" She stretched the chopsticks out for him to take and use.

He made no move to take them from her.

Sighing in frustration and defeat, she plopped down in the seat beside him and proceeded to pick up another slice of beef. Carefully, she nibbled a bit at it taking care to savor the flavor unlike the first slice she had consumed.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the bit of meat in her mouth.

It's nice.

If only Gaara would try some…

It took her a moment to realize there was something on her arm. When she did it was too late. Snapping her eyes open, she could only stare at the sand swirling up her arm towards her hand that was still clasping the chopsticks with the remaining beef between it.

Then, against her will, it forced her hand gently towards Gaara. Captivated, Hinata watched him as he nibbled slowly on the beef until it was entire gone. He chewed it thoroughly, his eyes never leaving hers, until it made its way down his throat.

Hinata's face burned and she had no doubt she looked like a tomato but she didn't care. Gaara had eaten. That was all that mattered.

If only he didn't look so sinfully handsome as he ate, she could compose herself.

Clearing her throat loudly in a painfully awkward attempt to cover up her own embarrassment, she forced a small smile at him. "It was good right? Especially after not eating so long I'm sure it must have. I mean, even if it was bad it wouldn't have tasted too bad right? Not that it was b-bad. A-at least I d-d-didn't think it was. I-I mean…"

She covered her mouth with her free hand as soon as she registered the fact that she was babbling and beginning to stutter incoherently.

Why can't I do anything right?

"Well, now that you know it is fine you can eat it right? Here." She gestured for him to take the chopsticks from her again.

Gaara didn't so much as glance their way. Flustered, Hinata wondered what could be the matter.

Very slightly, Gaara turned his head nodded at the beef dish on the table. "Y-you want me t-to feed you another?" Hinata tried to control her stuttering as her mind flew into a chaotic mess at the prospect of having to feed him the entire dish until it was finished.

Trying not to over-think things out of proportions, she instructed her hand to pick up another slice of beef. But when she was going to stretch it out for Gaara to eat, the almost-forgotten sand around her hand maneuvered it towards her own lips.

Confused, she looked at him for some explanation of what he wanted her to do.

For once, he obliged her.

"Taste it Hyuuga."

--- o O o ---

Realization dawned on her face.

Gaara cocked his brow at her, waiting. Although he knew he was making her think he was refusing to eat anything she hadn't tasted first to assure it wasn't poisoned, he wasn't about to let her know the true reason why.

He wanted to taste her.

The beef itself was delicious but it was the indirect taste of her that he wanted again.

The kiss they had shared by the riverside had only made him crave more. He would accept any other form of that connection again, direct or indirect - as it was.

Naturally, he had been kissed before. Stolen kisses by girls who imagined themselves infatuated with him or dared by friends to do so or by foolish young women who imagined themselves capable of taming 'the beast' of Sunagakure. All had been nothing more than a fleeting nuisance her brushed aside without a second thought. But none had affected him as the Hyuuga's touch had.

Gaara felt Shukaku flare inside him as the beast could feel the sensations and cravings swirl within him as he watched the Hyuuga bite cautiously and shyly into the slice of beef she had taken. He didn't allow so much as an iota of expression show on his face as her lips close over her teeth and touch the beef again.

It took most of his willpower not to throw the whole table across the room and take what was his again. Food be damned, the only thing he wanted to eat or taste was her.

And she was his.

She may not have realized it yet but it was written into the stone face of fate as soon as their lips had connected by the riverside. As utterly perplexing and confusing it was, he was sure of that much. He had no idea why but that was not of consequence as far as he was concerned.

There was time enough to find out the hidden reasons behind the intentions of the universe. For now, all he wanted was to savor her.

That is, if he didn't kill her first.

The instinct was there. Shukaku along with every portion of his body cried out for her blood. Demanding it… Screaming out for it… Only his soul and mind roared back in retaliation.

He was not about to kill her. Not yet. There was still much he wanted to know of her. Needed to know of her.

The chopsticks and the beef were being held out at him again.

He took his time eating it, imagining her taste swirling within him again.

Yes… You are mine. And you will not die yet… Not yet…

--- o O o ---

Hinata continued the same process over and over until finally, both the vegetables and the beef was finished. The sand on her arm was gone. She wasn't sure how long ago it had stopped 'helping' her. It had been so fascinating how such a seemingly innocent act could feel so erotic that after a short time, she couldn't help continuing if only to watch him eat as though he had never tasted such food in his life before.

She was still blushing slightly but wisely, she had not said a word throughout the entire process.

The silence stretched between them as she sat there unsure of what to do next. Should she ask him to leave? Or serve him something to drink? Make polite conversation?

Panicking, she briefly considered just running out of her apartment and leaving him to his own devices. The air between them was so thick she could taste her own indecision and nervousness.

"May I have some water please." Hinata nearly jumped out of her skin at the unexpected request. Scurrying up and fumbling for a glass, she quickly (and consequently, slowly) got him some water to drink. Her face heated up in embarrassment.

"H-here you go. I-I'm sorry. It was t-thoughtless of me not to have g-g-gotten you something to drink sooner…" Hinata's small, whispery voice boomed the silent room. Shutting her mouth to stop herself from looking more a fool by stuttering like an idiot, she placed the glass of water in front of him and stared determinedly at her clasped hands.

The weight of his stare did not lessen as she heard him sip his water.

His lips…

Her lip hurt as she bit on it. Hard. She had to to make sure her mind stayed put instead of wondering about his lips and the taste and feel of them. The kiss by the riverside kept reemerging in her subconscious, making her almost lean into him to touch again.

It didn't help that she could smell his masculine, clean scent so close to her. The memory of the way they had kissed and the unforgettable taste wafted to her mind as it intoxicated her.

She needed space between them.

A lot of space.

"I-I need to…"

"Don't leave."

She froze on the spot as she looked into his eyes, aquamarine glaciers chilling her to the bone. But it was the message within them that suspended time and motion for her.

Your mine.

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Authors Note

LW : HATE ME! (And the fact the line tool aint working... ARGH!) Nope No lemon this time:Sweatdrops: I'm sorry! It just that things need to develop at its own pace! The story has me firmly in its grasp and wont let me do anything but do it justice! I feel faint… Aihs! Anyways, it was weird trying to figure out how Gaara's mind would be reacting to everything as well as Hinata… But I did my best! Im sorry if it wasn't as exciting as previous chapters! The next one will pick up speed! Promise! Ja ne!

Hinata : "Don't leave? Your mine!" How am I supposed not to? I was mad to invite him in the first place! OMG OMG OMG! But he was hungry… and s-so handsome…

LW : Hah! You finally said it! And like DUH! What were you thinking? Silly maternal instincts!

Hinata: What? Huh? I-I… :Waaaaaaaaaah:

Gaara : I am going to-

LW : Gotta go:runs:

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Follow up Authors Note

1) Oh lookit that! There is none this time!

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Please don't kill me!

I'm so sorry people! I had no idea how little time I would have after I joined the damned play I am in now and between that, college, friends, etc… IM SORRY:hugs: But yeah… I was busy and took forever to get this out of my head! I cannot believe its been more than 2 months! I feel ashamed… The facts are this: I prolly wont be able to update until after my play which is mid next month. SORRY! On the bright side, while I was away-I managed to finish this story in my head (which mind you I found excruciatingly difficult and painful since I always find it torturous to come to terms with the fact that stories must, in fact, end.). Plus, I have another GaaXHina story working itself out in my head which I will be posting after this one (Nope, not a sequel. A stand-alone. I dislike sequels since they seem like a sad attempt to create a never ending story… And usually don't fit well with the first story). But now I must say I am touched and totally flabbergasted at the amount of love and support you have all showered me with while I was gone. It only shows me what a terrible person I have been. I LOVE you all! And rest assured I won't stop this piece of fiction until it is properly finished! Sorry for causing you so much distress:hugs: Now, I am sorry but I have an assignment I need to finish up and proceed to study for my upcoming tests… College is way too distracting for fanfiction writers. :sob:

Mariagoner I agree! When Neji finds out it should be MOST interesting! XD I can't wait! Evil bugger I am!

Nuova I love you too:hugs: I am trying my best to keep the character! Hope I can keep it up! Thank you for the support!

Baka'sAngel oo I love you too:hugs:

Maiyuko-chan XD I agree! We need to turn on the air-conditioner AND fan:hugs: sorry for keeping you waiting and that this chapter was kinda static but do keep reading! The next chapter will be far more interesting!

death and a red moon Awwwwwwww! That just makes me more ashamed for not updating sooner:Sob: Thanks so much for the review and love:hugs: Please watch out for more GaaXHina love k! I promise it will get better!

gaa luvv Thanks so much! I know there are other good GaaXHina pairings out there though! We just need to sort em out! XD Although I must admit to my utter dismay that there are more good GaaXSaku pairings… Let's spread the GaaXHina love around!

Airbender01 Whats going to happen? Good question! Took me the longest time to decide if they should get a happy or sad ending… but I have it figured out now! ;) You will all just have to wait till the end! Thanks for the love and support babe! Hope you continue to support this.

mecherio Wow! Such praise! Sorry for lack of action this time but rest assured it will pick up speed! And yes, I am a gal! XD Keep demanding and I will keep supplying! LoL!

beautiful fire warrior Hehe! Thank you for the compliment… I think? LoL! I try my best to keep them in character but sometimes I worry… Still, any and all input and love (and of course, reviews) help:hugs: ;) And no worries, I will definitely keep writing!

Foxtrot I am so sorry:hugs: Yeah, life has been a little hectic! But I never stopped thinking of you all and this fic! Believe me! I WILL and SHALL finish this fic! It is the only decent and acceptable thing to do no:hugs: Besides, as long as you all continue to shower me with so much love, how can I do anything else right? Love yah babes!