I really can't elaborate on this. I know it's not canon, but if you can enjoy it anyway, then...God bless you.

Gaara looked at himself in a mirror one evening.

"Come on, old boy, you can do it," he thought to himself.

"…No, I can't," he thought. "She's just so beautiful and I'm…I…just can't compare."

Ever since Hinata came to work in Suna, Gaara couldn't get her out of his mind. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and do things to her that I can't write because of the K+ rating, but Gaara's emotions were more than just lustful desires. Gaara was enchanted by her. She was a bright addition to his boring and dull life. In the couple of months that Hinata was working in his office, the two had long, emotional conversations. Surprisingly, despite the differences of their lives, they could relate a lot in life. They both had strained relationships with their families and that pretty much was the basis for a majority of their conversations.

On one event, after Gaara had told Hinata about how his uncle tried to kill him, she put her hand over his. Hinata looked Gaara in his eyes and told him that there was always someone who would love him. He didn't need to reminisce about people who hated him. All he had to do was look for the many people who did love him. That sealed the deal for Gaara. Suddenly, his heart opened up to Hinata. At that moment, he wanted Hinata to be with him forever. He wanted to talk with her forever and to see her calm smile until the sun of his life had set.

"She probably doesn't feel the same way," Gaara thought. Gaara began shaking. Why was it so hard to invite her to dinner? He had asked her to go to his birthday party with him easy. Now, everything had changed and he didn't know how to react to her. He began taking quick breathes.

"I have to try!" he told himself. "Just call her up and ask her to go to dinner with you."

Gaara took the phone and called Hinata.

"Hello? Hinata?"

"Yes," responded Hinata's voice. "Who is this?"

Gaara felt a feeling of calm at Hinata's voice.

"This is Gaara."

Gaara could almost feel Hinata smile at his name. "Hi Gaara."

"Umm…Hinata, I was wondering…"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Hinata began giggling on the phone. Gaara felt like his heart was about to break and the sound of Hinata's laughing. He wanted to hang up the phone and wish that he never called.

"I would love to have dinner with you Gaara!" said Hinata.

Gaara felt a feeling of relief on his heart. Soon, the relief turned to absolute euphoria.

"Great!" he exclaimed, "when do you want to go?"

"How about tonight?"

"Sure! Should I pick you up."

Hinata was silent for a while. "No, my apartment is really messy. How about I meet you there?"

"Okay," said Gaara, "how about eight o'clock, we'll go to the noodle restaurant in the northwest quarter?"

"That will be great, Gaara," replied Hinata, "I'll meet you there."

"Alright," he said.

"Bye," said Hinata sweetly.

"Bye," responded Gaara.

He looked into the mirror and smiled. He couldn't believe she said yes! Nothing could bring this day down for him. He was just to ecstatic.

Naruto set the table at his house back in Konoha. He was very excited about his and Sakura's date that night. He actually bought expensive china and silverware for the occasion. He set up everything. After washing up, he got ready for the evening by putting on formal clothing that he had to borrow from his friends in the upper society. He sat at the table to get ready for Sakura to arrive.

Gaara waited at a table in the restaurant.

"She's not going to show up," he thought to himself, "she just said yes to be nice."

His hand started shaking at the thoughts of him being all alone. He didn't know what to do if she didn't show up. One minute after the designated time, Gaara decided to leave. As soon as he stood up, Hinata entered the restaurant.

"Oh, I'm sorry Gaara," she said quietly, "were you leaving?"

"No, no," said Gaara, a little embarrassed, "please sit down."

The two sat down and ordered.

Naruto waited and waited and waited. He didn't know what was taking Sakura so long. It was already nine o' clock and not so much as a word from his girlfriend.

Back in Suna, Gaara and Hinata's date was going on very well. They had finished their meal and were now walking around the village.

"So you grew up here all your life?" asked Hinata.

Gaara smiled. "Of course! What do you think of Suna?"

Hinata looked down onto the sands. "It's not that I don't like this village, it's just that…"

Gaara seemed very hurt. He loved his village and would do anything to protect it. Knowing that the woman he had feelings for didn't love his village as well seemed to crush his dreams.

"You don't think Suna is beautiful, do you?"

Hinata looked down. "I'm sorry Gaara."

The two were silent for a moment, then Gaara looked over to Hinata.

"Well," said Gaara, "looks like I'll have to show you."

Hinata looked at Gaara questioningly. "Show me what?"

Gaara grabbed Hinata's hand and the two began to run.

"The beauty of the desert."

Naruto's head was not dipped in the ramen he prepared. His body was subconsciously eating the ramen he had specially ordered from Ichiraku. The hours kept rolling by until daybreak hit. When he woke up Naruto looked around his apartment. Nowhere did he see any hint that Sakura was there the other night. A deep depression fell upon his heart as he looked out the window to see the sun rise.

Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Rock Lee were waiting for Naruto in front of the academy. Naruto walked up sadly.

"Hey Naruto," said Choji, "what's with the long face."

"Yes Naruto," said Lee, "you're attitude is quite not youthful."

Naruto just sighed, "Sakura didn't show up."

"Ouch," said Kiba.

"Oh, women, how troublesome," said Shikamaru.

"Hey Shikamaru," said Choji, "we could do without the sarcasm."

Naruto took a deep breath. "It's alright. So what did you guys have planned."

"Are you sure you want to go now?" asked Kiba.

"Yeah," laughed Naruto, "you guys took all this time planning, might as well enjoy."

The five of them walked on into the village. The date was October 11th. The date Sakura missed was Naruto's birthday party.

Hinata and Gaara walked together along the sandy roads of Suna.

"Come here," said Gaara, "I want you to see this."

"What is it Gaara?" asked Hinata.

Gaara let Hinata to an oasis on the outskirts of the village. Hinata sat by the gentle waters and saw her reflection. She put her finger in the oasis and made small waves in the water. After the water had calmed down she saw Gaara's reflection next to her.

"This is my favorite place, Hinata," said Gaara.

"It's lovely," said Hinata, "I like the grass that grows around the water."

Gaara smiled. "It's one of the things that remind me that life can exist, no, life can thrive even in the most God-forsaken places."

Hinata nodded her head.

"Hinata," whispered Gaara.

"Yes?" whispered Hinata back.

"When you're here, you are like a desert flower."

Hinata blushed. "Why do you say that?"

Gaara's heartbeats began to rise in tempo. He moved over to one of the trees and picked one of many flowers growing on the oasis. Gaara began to walk slowly to Hinata and placed the flower in her hair, creating a sharp contrast between the white lily and Hinata's black hair.

"Isn't it obvious?" asked Gaara.

Now all of Hinata's face was red. She took Gaara's hand and looked him in the eyes. They stared at each other for quite a while, until Gaara began to move his head closer to Hinata's. Hinata was conflicted. She wanted to pull away, but she also wanted to feel Gaara's lips pressed on hers. She didn't know if she wanted Naruto or Gaara. Both were so different, but both were so appealing to her. She wanted them both so much, but she knew she could only have one.

Gaara and Hinata's lips met that day. The sun had barely risen and the light reflecting off the oasis shined on their faces. The reflecting light forced Gaara and Hinata's kiss to last a little longer than a regular kiss, but it only added to a magical effect amongst the two.

When the two broke their kiss, they just stared at each other. They had no idea what to do or where to go. Finally, Gaara came up with the best idea.

"We should get to work," he said.

Realizing it was a weekday, Hinata began nodding in her head in amused agreement.

Back in Konoha, Naruto, Kiba, Lee, Choji, and Shikamaru were eating at a street festival. Despite the attractive excitement of the festival, Naruto was still hurt.

"Come on, Naruto," said Choji, "just try to enjoy the day."

Naruto shook his head. "I'm sorry guys," he said, "my heart just isn't in this."

"Naruto," said Lee, "why are you so sad, I mean really, Sakura is still your girlfriend, she just missed one date, right."

Naruto started nodding his head. "Yeah! You're right. It's just one date, right?"

"But it's his birthday," said Shikamaru.

"Always the pessimist, aren't you?" commented Lee.

"Look," said Shikamaru, "I just think there are some things that people should pay more attention to."

"C'mon Shikamaru," said Choji, "we're just trying to help Naruto feel better."

Shikamaru sighed. "Arguing is such a drag."

"It's been like this for a while," said Naruto, "I just don't get it."

Kiba grunted. "Maybe she doesn't love you."

Naruto turned to Kiba angrily. "Shut up Kiba."

"Hey Naruto, why don't you shut up."

The two glared at each other for a while.

"Hey guys settle down," said Lee, "we're not here to fight, we're here to celebrate Naruto's birthday."

"Look Kiba," said Naruto, "shut up, Sakura does love me. She tells me that all the time."

Kiba grunted again. "Saying 'I love you' is not the same as actually meaning it."

Naruto was ready to rip Kiba's face off, but Choji and Lee help him back.

"C'mon Kiba," said Choji, "cool down."

Kiba grunted once more and began to walk away. Thoughts of Hinata leaving kept plaguing him. Few people knew it, but Kiba once had a crush on Hinata. The crush had floundered over time, but thoughts of Hinata still plagued him.

Naruto and the others continued walking down the street festival. They didn't know what to talk about or if they should even mention Kiba. All Naruto wanted to do was see Sakura again, but he didn't know where to go or if Sakura wanted to be found. All he knew was that he wasn't happy. He wasn't happy, he didn't feel like a hero, and he still couldn't remember what he was trying to remember.

Back in Suna, Gaara and Hinata couldn't stop giving glances to each other. It was a little awkward and a little cute. What they wanted most was to go have dinner after work. Actually, it wasn't even dinner they wanted, all they wanted was to be together.

One night, a month after their first date, Gaara and Hinata walked together down the sandy roads of Suna. Gaara's breathe became short. Hinata noticed this and grabbed his arm.

"What's wrong, Gaara?" she asked him.

Gaara's voice was a little shaky. "It's December, Hinata."

Hinata turned her head slightly. "And?"

"And? You're only supposed to stay in Suna for a year. You came here last January."

Hinata's mouth opened slightly. It was true. Tsunade's program was only supposed to last a year. She had not thought about going home in a while, but now that Gaara had mentioned it, she felt an urge to see Konoha again.

Gaara took Hinata's hand and looked into her pale eyes.

"I'm going to miss you," he said.

Hinata felt Gaara's warm hand. She was going to miss that very much.

"Gaara…" said Hinata quietly. She thought about everything for a minute. Ninjas lived out of village all the time, just look at Orochimaru…bad example…look at Tsunade. She lived out of the village for years and now she was Hokage. "…I think, I'll stay behind."

I can't write what Gaara said, for he really didn't say anything. Joy manifested itself in different ways in Gaara. His excitement could be felt by the entire village. Ever since his birth, Gaara was a person that no one could read. After the war, he had suddenly loosened up to the world, and now with Hinata with him, he had completely changed. Now, no longer could the villagers call him "cool" or "amazing", but that didn't matter to Gaara (or the village for that matter). At that moment, Gaara was truly happy, and every sand ninja was happy with him.

Thanks for reading. I actually want to rewrite this story, but, well, I should finish this version first.