My update timing sucks I know. I got so caught up in other stuff I completely forgot about my story! I'm sorry everybody! Anyway this is the chapter before the final chapter so I might take a while to update the last chapter I hope I can get it written and not kill you with impatience. Anyway on with the story!

(Aya's POV)

"Welcome back Gaara!" Naruto yelled as we walked in the door. He ran over and hugged Gaara which surprised both Gaara and me.

"Thanks Naruto, but I think you crushed my spine." he nudged him and Neji came up to me.

"Are you feeling better now Aya?" he said with a smile on his face.

I nodded and smiled back, "Thanks for trying to cheer me up every day."

"Come on who wants cupcakes!" Naruto called form the kitchen. Apparently he dragged Gaara with him when I wasn't looking.

I smirked, "That depends did you bake them?"

He glared at me but he soon smiled and shook his head, "Nope, Sai made them.

Sai walked over to me and gave me that weird smile of his, "It's just my way of saying sorry for not being here when it happened."

I put my hand on his shoulder, "It's ok, you were busy." We all heard a scream and looked over to the oven where Naruto was glaring and growling at Choji.

"YOU ATE ALL OF THE CUPCAKES!" Naruto yelled.

I looked and Choji was covered in icing and crumbs,"Choji! Why!"

"M wat humry" he said, his mouth full of food.

After Naruto kicked Choji out of the kitchen we all had a movie night with popcorn, candy, soda, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and several spoofs of good movies.

Neji and Naruto left after Paranormal Activity 2. Sai said he was leaving for a trip at three in the morning so he wasn't going to go to bed.

"Where's Kiba?" I asked Sai as the next movie was starting.

"He had a funeral to go to someone in his family was killed in a car wreck."

"That's terrible is he okay?"

"Yeah, he didn't really know the man."

"Well I guess that's good at least it wasn't someone close to him." Gaara came back from the kitchen and handed me my drink, "Thanks."

He sat back down next to me as the beginning titles were ending. He held my hand and I put my head on his shoulder. I love being like this, I thought as I snuggled closer to him. I want to stay like this forever.

(Gaara's POV)

Sleep was still an unobtainable object, even though I felt like I was floating above the clouds. I actually wanted to sleep that night; I wanted to dream. It would most likely be the usual nightmares, but I wanted to at least try to dream of her. She gave me something I didn't quite understand and thought was nonexistent for a while. I loved her and she loved me, and I hated being away from her even for a moment.

If you get too possessive she won't like you anymore. Shukaku said, mostly joking.

Shut up.

You know it's true. She needs freedom and you have to give that to her.

Since when are you so involved in my personal business? I asked rubbing my temples.

Just giving some advice. I don't want you to lose her.

You like her too? (I was slightly worried about that…)

I like her as a friend and nothing more. Besides I'm still mad at her for beating me at checkers…

I smiled and shook my head, whatever, just don't get any funny ideas.

What you don't trust me? Wait… no don't answer that… By the way your phone is going off.

I looked at my nightstand to see my cell phone shaking on vibrate. The screen flashed green and I smiled, Aya texted me.

Well what does it say!

I opened the message, She say's she can't sleep.

Ask if she wants you to come over.

I can't say that!

Ah! Your heart rate went up, what are you afraid of?

Nothing!

Then ask her!

But!

I see… you don't think you can control yourself.

….

It's not abnormal to want more out of a relationship Gaara.

I don't know what to do.

Don't freak out for one thing. Two, it's not like it's going to happen tonight so just enjoy being with her.

You are seriously freaking me out with this sudden kindness. I texted her back and the screen flashed green again moments later.

She said yes.

Have fun!

Shut up.

I got the key from the pot outside the door and slowly turned it in the lock. Shukaku gave me a mental nudge to open the door.

Aya was sitting on her bed dressed in a black tank top and shorts; she was leaning intently over computer screen typing away. She turned to see me and smiled gently, but it shifted into a worried pout. "You should see this."

I sat down next to her and she spun the computer for me to see. It was a news article; the title read, "Missing Kids; Work of a Jutsu Collector!"

I frowned, "That's odd."

Aya scrolled the page and pointed at the third paragraph, "It says that some of the kids who went missing where kidnapped by fellow students or neighbors their age."

I skimmed the paragraph and also read that the kids also had some special ability specific to their family. "You think they where after you?"

She sighed, "I don't know."

"Do you have some sort to special ability you didn't tell me about?"

She nodded, "It didn't seem very important since I never use it and really never should…" her eyes were looking down at the blanket as if she were studying the pattern of each stitch. "My mom's side of the family passes down this forbidden Jutsu that enables the user to connect with their inner elemental spirit. My inner spirit is the earth elemental; I can control plants and the earth when I activate it."

I put my arm around her shoulders, "Well that doesn't seem so bad."

She shook her head, "Every time you use the Jutsu you lose your personality and start to become the elemental. I used to be a straight A student with a flawless record until I used it."

I closed the laptop, "You've used it before?"

She sighed again and laid her head on my shoulder, "A few years ago there was a psychopath going around kidnapping young girls. Emi and I shared a room back then. I heard Emi get up around three to get some water like she always did, but I didn't hear the water from the sink running. So I got up, went to the kitchen and saw a guy in a mask running out the door with Emi…"

A young Ayame ran through the woods, ducking tree limbs and jumping over bushes. Her breath was short and her heart rate was fast, desperately running after the man who took her sister. They came to a clearing and the tall dark man threw Emi to the ground and turned to Aya. He pulled out a blade and charged at her, Ayame quickly dodged and punched him in the gut. He stumbled back and charged and again. She didn't dodge as quickly and he grazed her are; she winced and grabbed her wound. He took that moment and kneed her hard and sent her back several feet. When she didn't move the man scoffed and walked back to Emi who was unconscious. Aya watched him from the ground panicking and unable to move. She came to the conclusion that there was no other choice if she wanted to save Emi. She lifted her head and glared at the man; she raised her hands and pressed them together. What sounded like thunder crackled from her hands and the man turned. Green chakra was flashing around her and her eyes began to glow. She pointed a hand to the man and thousands of vines shot towards him. They wrapped around him completely and Aya slowly walked to him. She smiled evilly and closed her hand; the vines constricted and the man screamed in agony. Emi woke and stared at the sight in front of her; she ran to her sister and screamed at the top of her lungs, "AYA STOP!" Aya snapped her head towards Emi, her eyes starting to dim. She looked back to the man and opened her hand; the vines loosened and the man hung his head. Aya's eyes stopped glowing and she looked at Emi, Aya walked to her, picked her up, and started carrying her back home. The man was found five hours later by Shinobi patrolling the area.

I sighed and held Aya's hand, "So you saved your sister with a forbidden technique that steals your personality and turns you into an elemental?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yep, and if I didn't I most likely would never have been a trouble child and would never have met you."

I shook my head, "I don't even want to think about that."

She smirked, "Yeah, you'd be lost without me."

I looked at her, "Oh really."

She smiled and kissed my cheek, "Yes, really." I blushed and looked away as I heard Shukaku laughing. Aya pulled me back on the bed and kissed me on the lips, "We have to eat breakfast with the guys tomorrow and they have classes in the morning so let's get some sleep."

I wrapped my arms around her and cover us with the blanket and smiled, "I love you."

Aya smiled squeezed my chest, "I love you too."

For the first time in a long while I had a long nightmare free sleep.

"Good morning Neji!" Aya called from the kitchen as she saw Neji stumbling into the hallway.

"….. Morning" he replied.

Aya got up from her chair next to me and walked over to him. "Aw did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"I crammed all night for my history final…" he moaned.

"You have finals already!"

"Just me, I did the course work quickly so I could finish the class and get my credits."

Aya sighed and led him to the table, "You shouldn't push yourself so much you're already gonna graduate two years ahead of us." She rummaged through the cabinets looking for something while she talked, "If you cram all night you'll be tired when you take the test and not focus enough. You need caffeine!" She pulled the coffee beans off the shelf and started making coffee.

"Thanks Aya." Neji said half asleep already.

"No problem." She smiled and presses the start button on the coffee maker.

"Is someone making coffee!" a voice called from the rooms.

Aya paused and moved away from the machine, "If I say yes am I in trouble?"

Fast footsteps were heard, and then a flash and Shikamaru was sitting next to sleepy Neji. "I can never figure out how to use that thing."

Aya rolled her eyes, "You're just too lazy."

He shrugged as she poured them their coffee.

Aya laughed causing the three of us to raise an eyebrow, "Sorry, I just realized how complete opposites Neji and Shikamaru are. Neji tries too hard and Shikamaru doesn't try enough."

She handed them their coffee and started making some eggs. I stood and walked over to her wrapping my arms around her waist, "You want me to make some toast?"

She blushed, "Since when are you so clingy?"

I kissed her cheek, "Since last night."

She turned around so we were hugging, "They're gonna take that the wrong way." She looked at the two sitting at the table and smirked; they were staring wide-eyed at us.

They both took an awkward sip of their coffee and wouldn't look up.

(Aya's POV)

All the other guys went to class while Gaara and I had a normal day at the dorm, studying, playing halo, kissing, eating together, and talking. Then all the guys got back and had dinner (Neji passed his test ) they all went to their rooms before us because they had physicals and test tomorrow.

I sat down on the couch to watch my NCIS episode; of course before I could get five minutes in the voice over the intercom called me to the office.

I waved to Gaara who was doing something in the kitchen, (probably dishes) and headed towards the office fearing a scolding from Tsunade.

Shizune was there to greet me with a smile, "Good Morning Ayame!"

"Good morning." I replied pleasantly.

"Tsunade is waiting for you." She gestured towards the door to her office.

I swallowed hard and opened the door; I was surprised to find the principal in an almost depressed state. She looked at me and gestured towards the phone on the wall next to the bathroom, "Press three and close the door behind you."

I did as she said. I suddenly became nervous about the call. Who was it? What do they want? Why did I have to answer the office phone and not my cell?

The line jumped and a voice on the other end said, "Hello, I've been hearing some roomers that you have become friends with Gaara. I have called to inform you that you can no longer be close to him. He is a danger to you and himself, understand that it is for the best."

I felt my throat close and my heart race. Who was this guy? I felt tears falling from my eyes, "Who are you?" I asked my voice cracking.

"I'm his father. I also regret to inform you that if you do not do as I say or if you tell him we had any contact, you will be separated by force; you will be transferred.

The man hung up so all I heard was the dial tone… I start crying in small bathroom, tears continuing to fall down my cheeks. I don't know how long I was in there but when I came out I'm sure I looked like shit. I hung up the phone and dashed out the door and into the dark, tears still falling.

I ran to the section of the school where kids had lunch outside and sat at one of the tables sniveling. I didn't know what to do, if I broke up with Gaara we'd both be devastated and he might go back to being solemn and reclusive, but if I didn't or told him that his dad told me to, I'd get transferred and I'd never see him again.

I sat there crying and in pain, not knowing what the hell I was going to do for the longest time. I figured I couldn't face him, so I decided to call him and cry not to cry. (Not that I was expecting not to.) I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed his cell.

AAAAAHHHHHHH! I know I know don't hate me it will get better I promise! This was a really long chapter! The longest I've done I think. Anyway, thank you for being patient and keeping with me! The last chapter will be up soon I promise!