A/N. Yay here is chapter 5. The song at the bottom is called Mama by my chemical romance, I do not own any of the awesome lyrics. Please enjoy the story...
Mama, we all go to hell.
I'm writing this letter and wishing you well,
Mama, we all go to hell.
Oh, well, now,
Mama, we're all gonna die.
Stop asking me questions, I'd hate to see you cry,
Mama, we're all gonna die.
And when we go don't blame us, yeah.
We'll let the fires just bathe us, yeah.
You made us, oh, so famous.
We'll never let you go.
And when you go don't return to me my love.
Mama, we're all full of lies.
Mama, we're meant for the flies.
And right now they're building a coffin your size,
Mama, we're all full of lies.
Well Mother, what the war did to my legs and to my tongue,
You should've raised a baby girl,
I should've been a better son.
If you could coddle the infection
They can amputate at once.
You should've been,
I could have been a better son.
And when we go don't blame us, yeah.
We'll let the fires just bathe us, yeah.
You made us, oh, so famous.
We'll never let you go.
She said: "You ain't no son of mine
For what you've done they're gonna find
A place for you
And just you mind your manners when you go.
And when you go, don't return to me, my love."
That's right.
Mama, we all go to hell.
It's really quite pleasant
Except for the smell,
Mama, we all go to hell.
2 - 3 - 4
Mama! Mama! Mama! Ohhh!
Mama! Mama! Mama! Ma...
And if you would call me your sweetheart,
I'd maybe then sing you a song
But there's shit that I've done with this fuck of a gun,
You would cry out your eyes all along.
We're damned after all.
Through fortune and flame we fall.
And if you can stay then I'll show you the way,
To return from the ashes you call.
We all carry on
When our brothers in arms are gone
So raise your glass high
For tomorrow we die,
And return from the ashes you call.
Gaara woke up in a cold pool of sweat. These nightmares were getting out of hand. He had a hard enough time sleeping as it was. The numbers on his clock showed a quarter after five. Gaara pushed his covers aside. It was useless trying to fall back asleep now.
Carefully, he went downstairs, he didn't want to wake up Kankuro or Temari. Walking into the kitchen he flipped on the coffee pot. Temari would be getting up in a little bit, might as well save her the trouble. Gaara closed his eyes, the sound of water filling the pot invaded his ears . . .
His mother's bloody face flashed before him. "Foolish child, you should have never been born . . ."
"Mother," Gaara whispered softly, "you were right, I'm sorry I wasn't the child you wanted." The dream was still so fresh in his mind- no, it wasn't just a dream, but rather the memory of the night his parents died. Gaara allowed himself to be swallowed into the past, back to that night . . .
Gaara laid beaten and alone in a cold dark alleyway. He could hear nothing, barely aware of the icy rain cascading down hitting his bloody body. How long had he been laying here? Ten, twenty minutes, maybe even hours, but what did that matter? He made his mind up and knew the second how this would end. But he wasn't prepared for what would happen next.
"Oh God, Temari get over here, I found him!" Gaara strained to open his eyes. Kankuro knelt by his side. Gaara tried lifting himself up only to fall back to the cold cement, dirty water splashed up around his face. "Gaara don't move. Temari call an ambulance now!"
"K-Kankuro . . . It's alright –." Gaara wheezed wincing from the pain. "I went through with it, it's over . . . D-Do you think mother and . . . father will love me now?"
"You idiot." Kankuro's eyes filled with tears. "Why didn't you ask for our help! We could have done something, it didn't have to be this way."
"N-no other w-way– "
"Hang on, Gaara, help will be here soon," Temari said.
"Did Orochimaru do this to you? That son of a bitch. Gaara you should have never gotten mixed up with a devil like him!"
Temari put a hand on her brothers shoulder. "Kankuro don't, what's done is done. At least like he said, it's over now."
A hissing laugh from behind caused Temari to jump. "Oh my dear, sorry to disappoint, but it's far from over."
It was Orochimaru standing tall holding a bloody bent pipe
"How could you do this to him!" Temari shouted, tears streaming down her already wet face.
"He knew what he was getting into the moment he got involved with me," Orochimaru said flatly. "Gaara should consider himself lucky this was all he got . . . For now that is. Trust me, before the sun comes up, he will regret ever defying me. I don't take kindly to traitors."
"No this ends now!" Swiftly Kankuro pulled out a switched blade hurling it straight for Orochimaru. There was a flash of light followed by a loud crash as lighting struck the air. No one moved as they waited for their eyes to adjust from the sudden brightness. "Did I . . . Did I get him?"
Temari let out a sharp gasp. Orochimaru stood there, palm facing out directly in front of his face, the blade penetrating his hand with the tip barely grazing in-between his brow. He let out a wicked cackle, blood pouring from his hand mingled with the dirty ground water. "Ouch . . . that hurt." The knife made a sickening slick sound as he pried it from his hand. He raised it slowly, licking it clean of the residual blood. "Didn't your mother ever teach you not to play with knives boy?"
Without warning, Orochimaru flung the knife back to its owner. Kankuro fell hard to the ground, gripping the knife protruding from his shoulder. "Oops, sorry about that, I was aiming for your heart."
Temari ran to her brothers side. "You . . . You monster!"
Orochimaru flashed a wide grin."Why thank you my dear. Now if you will excuse me, I have one more bit of business I must attend to. Gaara will no longer be plagued by his awful, abusive parents, never again will he yearn for their love and approval."
"No you can't!" Temari shouted. But it was too late, Orochimaru was already gone. Flashing red lights could be seen from afar. The ambulance would be here soon.
"W-We have to stop him," Gaara said straining to get to his feet.
Kankuro pulled himself up, chucking the knife to the ground. "We have to go now!"
Temari protested "B-But you two need a doctor!"
"We'll worry about that later! Temari, he WILL kill them if we don't stop him." Gaara staggered the rest of the way up using a brick wall for support.
Kankuro walked over to his brother, kneeling with his back turned to him. "Gaara get on, you're in no condition to walk." He obeyed without hesitation. If they didn't hurry it would be too late.
The lights were off. That was the first thing Gaara noticed when they arrived. They're mother always kept the living room light on. Kankuro let Gaara down on the porch. "You're not looking so good, you need to wait out here," Kankuro said.
"No, this is my fault I will stop this." Gaara tried to stand up straight but pain shot through his left leg.
His condition wasn't good, but for now he'd have to bear through it.
Slowly, Temari opened the front door. Kankuro stopped her. "Let me go first."
Kankuro flicked on the light. The living room looked the same as it always did. Gaara could smell the familiar aroma of their mother's cooking coming from the kitchen. They had made it in time after all! Temari cautiously crept to the kitchen. "Mom, are you in here?"
. . . no answer.
Gaara allowed himself to rest against the kitchen wall. His body would be giving out soon. Letting out a groan he forced himself back to a stand. Blood decorated the once clean white wall. Surely his father would "teach him a lesson" for the mess. Gaara shook his head, he didn't have time to worry about something like that.
Kankuro looked down the hallway. "Hey mom and dad's bedroom light is on, lets check in there." just as cautiously as before, the three walked to the bedroom but to their dismay the room was empty. Where could they be?
"Mom, Dad, where are you!?" Temari finally shouted.
Gaara looked around. He tried listening for any out-of-the-ordinary sounds. Suddenly, Gaara noticed his bedroom door was held ajar with the light on. That wasn't how he previously left it. He walked up to his door, opening it the rest of the way with a soft -creak-. Immediately, Gaara found his Dad sitting on his bed. "F-father what are you –
"Dad oh my God!" Temari interrupted. "Why didn't you answer me? We've been looking everywhere for you!"
No reply . . .
Temari walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Dad where's mo–"
Before she could finish their father's head toppled off his shoulders, bounced off the ground and rolled to the side. Temari let out a horrified shriek, their father's body slumped forward, falling from the bed to the floor. Gaara watched in mixed wonder and shock as blood seeped from his father's neck, staining the once blue carpet.
"Dad! No!" Out of grief and rage Kankuro slammed his fist hard against Gaara's closet. In response a soft moan came from the other side. "Mom!" Quickly Kankuro opened the door. Temari gasped and covered her mouth trying hard not to vomit. Pinned against the closets back wall was their mother's body. Her arms were spread wide, fixed tight to the wall with a knife in either hand, her head hung low to her chest. Immediately Kankuro went to pull her down but stopped when his eyes fell to her stomach. Her lower abdomen had been freshly slashed open, the entrails of her stomach made a sudden wet -plop- as they fell to the floor. Temari couldn't hold it anymore, with a sudden heave she emptied the contents of her stomach all over the carpet.
Gaara was in a daze, but managed to help Kankuro get her down. Another soft moan escaped their mother's lips as Kankuro laid her on the ground. She coughed hard, blood splattered up only to rain back down on her face.
Gaara went numb, he could feel his mind start to crack. Without any rational thought, he immediately gathered his mothers intestines, clumsily trying to put them back into the bleeding cavity ."D-don't worry mother . . . it's alright . . . you're going to be fine." Gaara let out a chilling laugh. "I was a good boy, I did everything right. Mother please tell me that you love me now."
"Gaara, this is all your fault. You foolish child," She coughed. "you should have never been born . . . you're a monster that belongs in hell." Her body then started to convulse. Choking up more blood, her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she finally went limp.
Gaara grabbed his head in agony and started to scream. Temari snatched his arm. "Gaara, stop! We have to get out of here -now-! Gaara . . . Gaara . . .!
"Gaara!"
He blinked back to reality. "Wha– ?"
"Finally, jeez, I called your name like three times. Are you alright?" Temari asked with a worried expression.
"Sorry," Gaara grabbed two coffee cups from the cabinets. "I was lost in thought."
Temari took one of the cups and filled it full "I could tell. What are you doing up so early? School doesn't start for another three hours."
He took a drink of coffee, pleased with how the black liquid warmed his insides. "I'm not going. I wasn't kidding when I said I was thinking about dropping out."
"Gaara, please don't do that. I know you say it's not safe but I made sure Orochimaru couldn't find any trace of our location. I didn't even transfer your previous school records, believe me that wasn't easy to get away with. Don't let Orochimaru kill your chance for an education, it was his fault you dropped out of your other school as well."
Gaara sighed. He didn't want to fight with his sister about this. "What about you? I know you want to get back into college."
"I do but right now mom and dad's remaining funds won't allow for it. They had enough saved up, to get us this house and to keep us afloat for awhile. Kankuro and I will have to start looking for a job before long. Once we're financially stable I'll start taking classes again. But this isn't about me, you need to at least graduate high school. You're so smart Gaara, I won't let you throw that away."
Gaara smirked. "Smart am I? Father and mother seemed to think otherwise. As a matter of fact if I had been smart none of this would have happened. We'd still be back home, Kankuro and you would be happy."
Kankuro entered the kitchen. "You think we were happy? Yes, it made us happy to watch our father beat you senseless every other day. It thrilled us knowing our mothered showed affection for only Temari and I, giving you only the bare basics of what you needed to live."
"Gaara, we were far from happy." Temari said. "We were powerless to protect our baby brother. Do you know how it made us feel knowing every time we tried standing up for you we only made things worse? I know I never told you this, but months back before all this happened Kankuro and I made plans to run far away with you. We wanted to start a fresh life away from our parents, wanted to give you the love you've been denied since the day you were born. Granted this wasn't how we planned to do it but here we are all the same."
Gaara stared into his coffee cup. He didn't know how to respond, showing certain emotions didn't come natural to him. Even though they never expressed it, he was sure his siblings hated him for taking their parents away from them. How could they not?
Temari gently hugged him. "Whether you believe it or not, Gaara, we do love you, and always will."
Kankuro gave Gaara a hard pat on the back. "That's right. Now get ready for school, there's no way in hell we're letting you drop out again."
Temari winked. "He's right, besides you have to go so you can apologize to Hinata. We know you didn't mean to hurt her, but I'm sure she's really confused. Also if you don't mind, will you let her know she's welcome to come back over anytime she wants. I enjoy her company."
"Yea, sure." Temari was right, he did owe Hinata a proper apology. Her frightened eyes came back to mind. Why did that make him feel so uneasy? It wouldn't have been the first time someone looked at him that way. And how she deliberately lied to stop Naruto. Neji was right, if he had really wanted to he could have easily put Naruto down. But he didn't and why, because Naruto, for whatever strange reason, meant something to Hinata. Gaara had already hurt the girl once, he couldn't do it again by fighting Naruto. But what was it about her that made her seem so different from other people? Was it the way her innocence shined from her lavender eyes? It was something he had never seen in anyone before. Gaara dropped the thought. It would do him no good to dwell on it. He'd apologize to her then be done. Drinking the last of his coffee, Gaara set the cup in the sink and went to get ready for school.
OoOoO
"N-Neji are you ready to leave?" Hinata was ready to get to school. She needed to find Gaara long enough to give him her note, while she still had the courage. She sighed. Maybe it would be easier if she just stuck it in his mail box . . . But if she did that there was a good chance Temari or Kankuro would get it instead. Hinata didn't want to risk anyone else finding it.
Knock knock knock
Huh, I wonder who that could be? Hinata thought as she went to open the door. She was surprised to see Naruto and Sakura on the other side.
"Hey Hinata!" Naruto gave her quick hug. "I thought we could walk to school together."
"Yea I ran into Naruto along the way and thought I'd join you all." Sakura said through a sweet smile.
"Oh umm s-sure. Sounds great." Hinata said.
"Alright Hinata, I'm ready, let's get out of here." Neji grabbed his backpack by the door. "Oh hey guys, walking to school with us?"
"Yup." Naruto grinned. "Hm? is Hanabi not walking with you today?"
"Nah she likes taking the bus from time to time." Neji said as he locked and closed the front door.
Hinata looked over to Gaara's house. Did he walk to school also? As if on cue Gaara stepped out the door.
Neji followed Hinata's gaze. "Gaara, good morning! Are you walking to school, if so then join us!"
"Man Neji, don't invite him like that. You know I can't stand that guy." Naruto whined.
"Yea and I can't stand you but I still put up with your ass."
"H-hey that's not true and you know it!" Naruto shouted.
"Well," Neji grinned. "I guess you'll never know for sure."
"Neji, d-don't be mean. He d-does like you N-Naruto." Hinata gave him a reassuring smile.
Hinata watched as Gaara crossed his yard over to theirs. Looked like he would walk with them after all. She gulped. For some reason she started to feel nervous. It'll be OK. She assured herself. He didn't look like he was angry with her, but than again it's not like she knew enough about him to be able to tell if he was or not. For a brief moment their eyes met, causing Hinata to blush and look down.
As if he sensed her uneasiness Naruto put his arm around her. "Don't worry Hinata, if he even looks at you the wrong way he'll regret it." Hinata blushed deeper. Naruto was being sweet, but he had the wrong idea. If he knew what was really bothering her he would probably get upset. Hinata then started to feel guilty. She didn't like keeping things from him.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Oh please Naruto, don't be so dramatic. The guy's just walking to school with us."
"Tch," was all Naruto said.
"Did you sleep well?" Neji asked as Gaara joined the group.
Gaara shrugged. "I'm an insomniac so sleep can be hard to come by."
Neji laughed. "Judging by your eyes I'd about be willing to guess you don't even know the meaning of sleep."
"Some nights it does feel that way I must admit," Gaara said.
"Let's get going guys, if I'm late for class one more time my teacher will strangle me," Naruto said.
Hinata tried keeping her discomfort down, but it was hard with Naruto constantly glaring at Gaara every chance he got.
"Oh Hinata," Sakura said. "I was wanting to ask you something. I know we've never hung out before outside of school, but I was wondering if tonight you maybe wanted to go to a club with me? It's open for all ages during the week, obviously we can't drink since were under age, but we can still dance and have a lot of fun."
"Y-you want m-me to go t-to a club with you?" Hinata let the idea play through her head. She had never been anywhere like that before.
"Yeah, I know it's pretty random. I was supposed to go with Ino and Tenten, but Ino had to cancel." Sakura turned to the others. "You all should come too, it'll be a lot of fun."
"Tenten will be there? Sure I'm in," Neji said
"Oh yeah, that's right, Neji, I forgot you have a little crush on her," Sakura teased.
Neji shrugged, not the bit bothered by Sakura's teasing. "She's really cute, what else do you want me to say."
"N-naruto, do you w-want to g-go too?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah of course I do."
"T-than I will g-go also." Hinata wasn't for dead certain she really wanted to go. But if Naruto wanted to then she would also.
Neji slowed his walk so he was beside Gaara. "You need to come with us also Gaara. This would be a good chance for you to get out of your house and mingle a little bit."
Mingle? That was a good one. When was the last he had done anything that involved socializing? Oh that's right, never. He just didn't fit well with other people, but to Gaara's own surprise he nodded in agreement.
"Great! This is going to be so much fun!" Sakura beamed. "Hinata if you don't have anything to wear drop by my house after school. I'm going to make you look so cute- oh but not to say you're not already cute, but I'm pretty sure you don't own any club type attire."
Hinata giggled, Sakura was right. Most of Hinata's clothes were pretty plain, but that's how she preferred it.
Once they got to the school, Sakura spoke up again. "Hinata, after classes meet me here by the gates and we'll go to my house."
"If you want I can pick everyone up, when ready, it would be easier than walking." Neji offered. Him and Hinata were the only ones in the group who had a driver's license.
"Yeah that would be nice," Sakura smiled. "Well, Hinata, see you after school."
Naruto gave Hinata a quick kiss on the cheek. "See you in class, I gotta go to my locker." Sakura and Naruto walked off talking together.
"I think... I'm going to go find Tenten," Neji said.
"O-ok, see you later." She watched her cousin walk away. Did Neji just blush? Hinata had never seen her cousin blush before. It was kind of cute. But Hinata placed the thought aside. This would be the best chance to give Gaara her note. She fumbled around inside her pocket trying to pull out the letter. "Umm, G-Gaara, h-here, please r-read this w-when you get the c-chance."
"A note?" Gaara was confused but took it from her, accidentally brushing his fingers against hers. He watched her blush again, she seemed to do that a lot.
She fidgeted around for a minute. "W-well I guess I will s-see you in c-class." She gave him a quick smile and left.
Gaara waited till she entered the school before opening the note.
Dear Gaara,
I want to apologize for all the trouble I caused you last night. If it hadn't been for me Naruto wouldn't have hurt you. I didn't mean for any of that to happen, I'm really sorry. It was an accident when I went into your room, I promise that's all it was, I didn't mean any harm. I know I should have left immediately, but as you know I didn't. I understand if you are mad at me, I don't blame you. Also I understand if I'm not welcome there again. If you wouldn't mind would you tell Temari and Kankuro that I'm sorry too. One more thing, I know it's none of my business but, whatever horrible experiences that you've been put through I'm terrible sorry, I hope that you're happy where you are now . . .
Hinata.
She wasn't upset with what he did to her? Granted, it was by accident, but she didn't know that and most people wouldn't offer to apologize after something like that. She was such an odd girl, and for her to care about what he had been through. No one other than his siblings have ever said anything like that. True, normally he would have never given anyone the chance, but it was still strange. All his life, people had treated Gaara different, he was an outcast, a threat. Someone who had nothing to offer but trouble. Then here was this small weak little girl who took it upon herself to apologize for other peoples' actions, yet another trait that set her apart from others. Gaara folded the note back and placed it in his pocket. As he walked to class he wondered how the night's events would play out, all the while trying to keep his thoughts off the little lavender eyed girl.
OoOoO
Hinata took in her appearance in front of Sakura's door length mirror. Was that really her? Sakura had her try on a lilac colored halter-style dress. The top had a gauzy, old-Hollywood-style neckline. It fit snug around her waist but from there it flared out into loose waves to her knees with a simple floral lacy overlay. Hinata loved the dress but felt it was much too pretty to look right on her plain body.
Sakura squealed with delight. "Hinata you look great! Don't move, I have the perfect shoes."
A few seconds later Sakura returned with a pair of silver flats. Hinata slipped them on.
"It's a good thing we wear the same shoe size." Sakura laughed. "I have a pair of heels that would have went just as well with it, but I wasn't sure you'd be too comfortable walking in them."
"Y-Yeah, you're probably r-right," Hinata admitted with a small blush.
"Alright, now we just need to add a little make-up– ," Hinata relaxed her face allowing Sakura to put on some eyeliner, mascara and a light pink lip gloss, "– and now were done. What do you think?" She turned Hinata back facing the mirror. Hinata had to admit she liked how the eyeliner brought out her eyes. She was also glad Sakura didn't try piling on a ton of make-up, if she had to wear any she wanted to keep it light and simple. This was perfect.
Hinata nodded in approval. "D-do you think N-Naruto will like it a-also?"
For a split second Hinata watched Sakura's face change to a strange expression, but quickly recover. "Yes, of course he will, he would be an idiot not to. Go ahead and call Neji, I'm going to go get ready now."
OoOoO
Temari looked up from her book when Gaara walked into the kitchen.
"Hey how was school? Did you talk to Hinata?" Temari asked.
Gaara opened the fridge looking for something to eat. Deciding on an apple, he took a bite before answering. "It was fine. I didn't exactly get the chance to talk to her, but she wrote me a note. She seems to be the one bothered most by what happened." Gaara pulled out the letter and tossed it to his sister.
Temari read slowly then set it on the table. "Poor Hinata, I'll have to get her to come back over. She's such a sweet girl. There's no reason for her to be so bothered by this."
Gaara finished off his apple tossing the core in the trash. "Temari, I'm going to go out in a few hours, I'm not sure what time I'll be back, I just wanted to let you know."
Temari's face darkened. "You're not going to go do anything reckless are you?"
"Depends on what you view as reckless. Neji and a few other of his friends, including Hinata, invited me with them to go to some club."
For a moment Temari had a dubious expression. Then, much to Gaara's annoyance she doubled over with laughter. "You've got to be kidding me," Temari said between laughs. "You at a club, of all places, socializing and . . . and . . . dancing?! That's just too much! Tell me you're joking!"
Gaara shifted with irritation. He figured this was the reaction he would get.
Kankuro heard her fits of laughter and came to the kitchen. "What's so funny?"
Temari made a brushing motion towards Gaara, laughing too hard to talk. "T-tell– Tell him."
" . . . I'm going to a club with a few . . . friends . . . tonight" Gaara wasn't sure he liked the way that rolled off his tongue.
Kankuro stood there a moment, not sure if he heard his brother correctly. Casually, Kankuro walked up to him and put his hand to Gaara's forehead. "Hm ,you don't seem to be running a fever, are you aware of what you just said?"
Gaara shoved his brother's hand aside. God he hated his siblings. Temari wiped her tears away and took a deep calming breath. "I'm sorry Gaara," She snickered again. "It's just I never in a thousand years imagined you wanting to go to a club."
"I don't want to go," Gaara said.
"Then why are you?" Kankuro asked.
"Yeah, what happened to your speech about keeping a low profile, no making friends, and all that?" Temari pointed out. "Not that I'm saying you shouldn't go, I personally think it could be good for you."
"I'm not sure myself." Before the two could say anything else Gaara left for his room.
That was a lie. He knew exactly why he was going, and the reason unnerved him. It was because of Hinata. Out of the other teens, even her own clueless boyfriend, Gaara seemed to be the only one who noticed just how bothered Hinata looked by the thought of going to a club. If he had to guess, he was willing to bet the only reason she agreed was because Naruto wanted to go. Gaara figured she would stick out just as bad as himself. But there was something nagging inside him, a feeling he couldn't explain. All he knew for sure, was at least for tonight, he felt the need to watch over her, make sure she stayed safe. The feeling to protect another was so foreign to him, the only thing he had to compare it with was in the days when the need to protect only himself was all he knew, it was a game of survival. But this time, things were a little more complicated . . .
A couple of hours later, Neji was knocking on Gaara's front door. "Hey man, ready to go?" Neji asked.
Gaara nodded.
"We'll pick up Sakura and Hinata first, then Naruto."
Gaara noticed a girl in the front seat so he opened the back door and slid in.
The girl greeted Gaara with a smile and outstretched her hand. "Hello, my name is Tenten, it's nice to meet you."
He took her hand in return. "I'm Gaara."
A couple of minutes later, they were pulling into a driveway, Gaara assumed was Sakura's. Neji blew the car horn a few times. Moments later Hinata and Sakura came out. Gaara watched Hinata shyly walk to the car with her head down. She opened the door and scooted over beside him giving Sakura room to sit.
"Sakura hey! Hinata it's nice seeing you outside of school. You look so cute!" Tenten said.
"Of course she does, she was dressed-up by yours truly." Sakura said clearly proud of herself.
Gaara watched Hinata force a smile, then turn towards him. "G-Gaara, I really l-like your outfit, it s-suits you." she said and blush. His clothes were simple. Just a black short-sleeve shirt and a red shirt underneath with the long-sleeves pushed up, along with a pair of black cargo pants.
"Thanks, and you look quite lovely." That wasn't a lie, she really was pretty, but this wasn't the first time Gaara noticed that. He watched her face turn a deep red as she thanked him and turned away.
"You'll have to make room in the back with the other three." Neji said when they picked Naruto up. He opened the door giving Sakura and Hinata a chance to scoot over. Hinata suddenly became very aware of her leg brushing against Gaara's. She tried moving it more her way but it wouldn't work with four people in the back. "I'm s-sorry Gaara, I don't mean to b-be r-right up o-on you."
"It's alright you can't help it." Hinata wiggled a little trying to get comfortable. Gaara couldn't help but let a very small smile play on his lips. Something about how she moved . . . Gaara shook his head. What was he thinking? He needed to be more careful. This girl was slipping past his defenses and he didn't like it.
"Sakura, ah man, you look great in that dress!" Naruto said.
Sakura smiled wide. "Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself."
Naruto leaned forward giving Hinata a quick look-over. "You look nice too, Hinata."
Gaara watched Hinata's face drop slightly. God, how stupid could Naruto be? Gaara didn't care for how Naruto did Hinata sometimes.
What seemed like forever later they finally made it to the club. The group waited their turn in line to get IDed . The bouncer at the entrance was checking for anyone underage, those who were under 21got an "X" marked on their left hand.
Hinata watched as Naruto started to get impatient. "Damn how much longer do we have to wait? This is stupid, it's not like we're going to try and drink."
"I-it's their job w-we wouldn't want to g-get them in a-any trouble." Hinata said. She had to admit, she was getting cold and tired waiting so long. But it wouldn't be much longer now.
The line got shorter till finally it was their turn. The bouncer confirmed the groups ages and ushered them in. Hinata stepped through the wide double doors and instantly regretted coming. It was so loud and crowded. The DJ was playing some random techno party mix music. Hinata watched as the whole room lit up a new color every few seconds keeping time with the music, it was almost hypnotizing. The layout was more or less square, there was a big stage in the middle of the room that everyone went to dance on. She noticed near three of the four walls were bartenders serving drinks, but immediately looked away when she caught a few couples on stools really getting into their make-out session.
"This is awesome!" Naruto yelled.
Neji touched Hinata's arm. "If you need anything Tenten and I will be right over there." Hinata watched Neji lead Tenten away to who knew where.
"Hinata come and dance with me!" Sakura shouted.
"Err t-that's alright. I'm n-not a very good d-dancer!" Hinata said as loud as she could.
Sakura shrugged and headed for the dance platform.
"Sakura wait for me!" Naruto started to walk off but Hinata caught the bottom of his shirt.
"N-Naruto, please d-don't leave m-me." The thought of being alone in this place terrified her.
Naruto tugged his shirt free. "Oh lighten up Hinata, we're here to have fun not just stand around." He didn't give her a chance to reply before he disappeared into the crowd.
Hinata felt her throat constrict. I can't do this, I should have never agreed to come. Hinata's mind was racing, frantic to find someone, she tried looking for Neji, but it was just too crowded. She couldn't move more than a few feet without bumping into somebody. There was no concentrating. The music was getting faster and faster, Hinata felt her heart racing to keep up with the tune. It made her chest hurt.
Her head was pounding, she was getting dizzy, seeing black spots. She clutched onto the nearest object to keep from falling. Much to Hinata's horror, a big burly man turned around.
"Hey there sweetheart. What's your problem?"
"Oh I-I am sorry I was j-just–"
The man eyed Hinata up and down. An ugly grin spread on his face as he grabbed her arm. "Ya know, ya shouldn't be touchin other people unless ya expect to be touched back."
Hinata tried pulling away but the man forcefully grabbed her other arm. She watched mortified as he licked his lips. "Are you alone? How about you and me go somewhere a little more private and–"
"I suggest you back of now, she is with me."
"G-Gaara!" Hinata looked to him with pleading eyes. She felt foolish, how in the world did she get into this kind of trouble? She had barely been here 20 minutes.
Gaara gave the brute a baleful look and grabbed his arm. "I said...She's with me."
The man hesitated for a moment before finally releasing his grip on Hinata. "Fine whatever, I don't have time for this."
Hinata shook with fear as she watched her advancer stalk off. She looked to Gaara ready to apologize but hesitated when she caught Gaara place something small and shiny in his pocket. Was that a knife? The thought quickly dropped from her mind as her stomach turned sour. She felt sick.
"Are you alright?" Gaara asked as he checked her arm's for marks; he could feel her trembling.
"I n-need some fresh a-air." Hinata grabbed her chest. "I c-can't breathe."
Gaara quickly wrapped his arm around Hinata's back pulling her close to him. "Come on, I'll get you out of here."
He lead her away from the club out into the cool night air. Hinata tried to steady herself, but she still couldn't calm down. Gaara quickly caught her before she could fall. Carefully, he sat down with her by the curb.
"M-my chest, it h-hurts." Hinata gasped for air.
"Hinata look at me." Gaara cupped her face in his hands. "You need to calm down, slow your breathing, you're having an anxiety attack."
She tried doing as he said but it was no use, she couldn't keep from hyperventilating, everything was starting to turn fuzzy and white.
"Dammit," Gaara swore as he grabbed his phone and quickly dialed a number.
"Hello?"
"Temari it's me, I need your help."
"Why? Is something wrong?"
"It's Hinata, she's passing out on me and her no fuck count of a boyfriend left her alone, Neji isn't around either."
"Alright give me five minutes, I will be there."
Gaara thanked her and hung up the phone. He placed it back in his pocket then wrapped his arms around Hinata, pulling her to him so to keep her steady and warm. He couldn't help but notice how sweet she smelled, then mentally cursed himself, this was hardly the time to be thinking about something like that.
Right on time, Temari pulled into the parking lot. Gaara picked Hinata up, cradling her close to his chest, he wasn't surprised to find how light she was. He walked with her to the car as Temari got out and opened the back door. Gaara laid her in the backseat, careful not to let her bump into anything, then slid in beside her, resting her head on his lap.
"Ready?"
He nodded. As they left the club Gaara couldn't keep his anger down. What would have happened to her if he ended up not going with them? For a split second he wanted to go back and kill that man, but what good would that do?