Well, after a long wait, I finally got chapter 4 done. Hope you like it. Thanks to who reviewed last Chapter!

"Protection at Arm's Length"

Chapter 4:

Like a piece to the puzzle that falls into place,

You could tell how we felt from the look on our faces,

We was spinning in circles with the moon in our eyes,

The room left them moving between you and I,

We forgot where we were and we lost track of time,

And we sang to the wind as we danced through the night,

And we sang...

Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,

And the voices bang like the angels sing,

We're singing... Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,

And we danced on into the night,

Ay oh ay oh, Ay oh ay oh,

And we danced on into the night,

Gaara continued to visit Hinata frequently at her job for three weeks and would always ask to dance with her whenever the music started during his visits. He quietly snooped around her home and, kept a close eye on her, followed her. He felt a need to watch over her because of a gut wrenching feeling that told him that she wasn't safe.

Two incidences had occurred during those three weeks with two different men. One was following poor Hinata everywhere but Gaara had taken care of him and another was just a classic drunk fool trying to hit on her at the bar. It was strange how Hinata was stalked like this. First the black car, the first night he entered her house, the second the man with the knife, the third was the man at her job trying to fill her up, and now most recently a man who followed her everywhere that kept tabs on her. Gaara knew Hinata was beautiful but not this much attention could be brought upon Hinata without some other reason behind it all.

Gaara wanted to discover the reason. Tonight was given as the perfect opportunity when he visited the pub. Ino led him to his usual table where Hinata would serve him. Hinata came by, less shy and more comfortable around him now that he had visited and attended here regularly now. She slightly smiled at him as she approached his table.

"What would you like to have to day, Gaara?" Hinata politely asked in her angelic-like voice.

Gaara's lips twitched into a smirk before his poker face recollected, "I'll have a carne asada burrito."

Hinata swiftly wrote it down on her note pad and looked meaningful upon him, taking him all in. "Will that be all, sir?"

"Yes."

Hinata nodded and was about to turn away to head toward the kitchen but hesitated and turned back. "If you don't mind, Gaara… Could you tell me why you have been leaving me such generous tips at the table?" Hinata asked quietly with her headed shot down in embarrassment.

Gaara looked thoughtful at her, "It's for the dances you allow me to have with you every time I visit. You're a delightful dance partner."

Hinata blushed and took a quick glance at him from underneath her bangs. "Would you like to dance with me again, tonight?" Hinata asked quickly, afraid of rejection.

"Of course." Gaara smiled lightly as he took a gulp of his beer.

Hinata left after that with a smile on her face, still blushing. Gaara finally got his food and ate but he barely tasted it. He kept his gaze on Hinata as she worked and moved throughout the room. His thoughts raced and he was eager to dance with her tonight. He waited, long after his meal, until the music started. When it did, the waitresses came out and danced their normal routine until they broke off and got others to dance or went to go back work again.

Hinata cut cross the dance floor, slyly making her way towards him. Gaara got up and met her half way. Hinata smiled slyly as Gaara led her more onto the dance floor as he wrapped his arm around her. Others danced by them but they didn't noticed them, they were caught in a trance of each other.

After awhile of dancing, Hinata looked at Gaara eyes. His were soft and intense as hers were open and caring. "Your eyes are like the sea." Hinata commented quietly hypnotized by him.

Gaara stared back at her longingly. "And yours are like the moon that moves my eyes to yours." Gaara stated in soft velvet and comforting voice that sent butterflies through Hinata's stomach.

"How are you able to do that?" Hinata asked, unsure and dazed.

"Do what?" Gaara questioned, emotionlessly.

"You make me weak in the knees and send butterflies through me." Hinata said embarrassingly, looking down.

Gaara stopped dancing, but it felt as if the room was spinning while they were in place. He lifted her chin gently and stared deep into her eyes. "I'm drawn to you Hinata, not for your beauty, but by you. You captured me without realizing it." Gaara said honestly. Hinata was left breathless, stunted as her heart hammered into her chest.

Gaara leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull way if needed, but Hinata did not move. She, however, encouraged him as she lifted herself onto her tip-toes. Gaara bent all the way down until he captured her lips with his. They kissed slowly and softly. He savored the moment and touch of their contact, but too soon, it ended as Hinata was called away.

She turned away from him, unwillingly, to go attend the manger that was calling her. She was sent away into the kitchen as far as Gaara could tell. He moved off the dance floor and stood at the bar. He ordered another beer and leaned easily upon the bar. He saw through the kitchen window that the chief was shouting at Hinata and she recoiled into herself, taking the heat. He saw the chief shove two heavy trash bags at Hinata and pointed toward the wall indicating outside the way, to his guess, the dumpster. Hinata took hold of the trash bags with shaky arms and could barely carry them as she walked out of the kitchen's swinging door. Walking behind the bar and into the hallway that led to the bathrooms and emergency exit. Gaara casually got up after Hinata left and headed to the bathroom.

He saw the emergency exit door probed opened by a rock in order for it to not shut and lock. Gaara was about to head into the man's bathroom when he heard a metal trash can tumble as well as a muffled scream from outside the exit door. Gaara quickly strode to the door, concern for Hinata filling him.

"Thought you could escape us, didn't you rat?" A man harshly rasped at Hinata. He stood over her, a blade in his hand at her throat as the other over her mouth. He shook her with that hand and Hinata's eyes were wide with fear. The man had her on the ground by a knocked over trash can. The bags Hinata carried were scattered around her. "You think hiring that body guard of yours could save you? You filthy termite, you could of done this the easy way by selling that beautiful body of yours. But now it's going to rot at the bottom of the sewer!"

"I think not." Gaara stated as he flung the man off of Hinata. The man slightly cut Hinata's throat as he flew off of her. The man hit the concrete ground hard and got up slowly coughing. He looked at Gaara and then at Hinata, who scurried on the floor to get up on her feet, to move away. She touched her neck, feeling the trail of her new open wound. She glanced at Gaara thankful and noticed his eyes were dark and focused only on the man who had attacked her.

"You really think that body guard will protect you forever? We'll get you soon Hinata!" the man rasped and shouted with anger. Before he could take flight, Gaara ran after him cutting him off at his exit. Gaara gripped the man's arm, twisting the blade out of his hand before slamming him to the wall. Gaara socked the man in the face three times before the man could react. The man finally was able to block his face when the force of Gaara's hand left his shoulder, the man stumbled, and Gaara punched him in the stomach.

The man huffed and could barely breathe. Half of his face was all bloody, he kneeled near the ground. Gaara took a fist of his clothing in his hand bringing the man up and shaking him. "You'll leave, never come back for her. If I see you again, I'll cut your balls off and pull out your eyes. Send that threat to anyone else who dares to try and touch Hinata again." Gaara said firmly and menacingly and he let go of the man, after slicing him leg with his knife to make the point clear. Gaara turned and walked over to Hinata, who was huddled by the door and witnessed everything.

He approached careful, afraid that he had scared her with his violent actions. She seemed scared but not because of him. She looked past Gaara and to the man that was trying to hurry away, defeated. Hinata finally turned her eyes onto Gaara, looking at him cautiously and questioningly. Gaara held open the door, kicking the rock aside, for Hinata, gesturing for her to enter. Hinata hesitated before walking past Gaara and he followed behind her, a few paces away letting the door shut quietly.

Gaara analyzed Hinata next moves, careful on how to proceed. Hinata went into the back kitchen and he went back towards the bar. He saw, a few moments later, Hinata with a new bandage over her neck and the manger exiting the kitchen together, who called Ino over. They exchange minimal conversation and, the music being loud, blocked out the sounds of their voices making it difficult for Gaara to tell what was going on.

The manger rubbed Hinata's shoulder comfortably, patting her on the back before Hinata left their conversation. She walked toward the front entrance but not before glancing over at Gaara. Their eyes connected with each other's and Hinata felt a shiver run down her spine. She signaled him with her eyes for him to follow her.

Gaara got up and followed her out front, finding her sitting at a bus stop bench. He walked over to her and sat on the other side of the bench to give her room. The silence filled, thickly, around them before Hinata dared to speak.

"Thank you for saving me, Gaara."

Gaara remained quiet and nodded his head. Moments again went by in silence as Hinata glanced at Gaara's stilled figure staring at the ground.

"Would… Would you mind walking me home?" Hinata asked softly. Gaara looked up at her, analyzing her face. "The bus doesn't get here for another hour or so… So it would be faster to walk… and after what just happened, I think we could use the time to get to know each other." Hinata explained quickly, trying to justify herself as she blushed slightly, she was nervous and it sounded in her voice as well.

"I'll walk you home then." Gaara said easily as he lifted himself up and held out a hand to her. Hinata gently placed her hand in his and they did not let go for a while, even after Hinata stood up.

They started to walk. Gaara knew the way but acted and followed her as if he didn't. They talked minimally about casual things like how they like the city, the weather, places to visit, and other things that they enjoy but they didn't touch on Hinata's incident or her work. They made as to keep the conversation comfortable. The conversation had flowed well, smoothly even. It gave some content and comfort to Hinata.

Once they arrived at Hinata's house, Hinata invited Gaara in. Gaara didn't refuse and followed her, quietly, inside. Hinata began turning on a couple lights in the living room and set up a candle in the kitchen. She offered to get Gaara a drink but he declined and she came back with a mug for herself of hot tea.

They sat on the couch together but separate. Hinata did not turn on the TV as she set her mug down on the coffee table.

"So… about what the man said… He referred to you as my body guard, why? Who are you?" Hinata questioned lightly but her eyes were tight.

Gaara was silent for a long while until he looked at her and stared past her, to the books he saw earlier at his first visit to her house on her desk. "What's a woman like you attracting such violent attention?" Gaara countered, wanting answers first before having her know he's been stalking her.

Hinata, caught off guard by the question, soften her eyes and looked down. "My cousin was a part of this gang you see… and for this gang he use to steal cars… He got paid to do it and my family had needed the money, but once he got caught by the police, he was arrested. The gang came after my family… they didn't care my cousin got locked up… they had a business to keep going… Since then, I had been the one to work on the stolen cars with my cousin and helped him hot-wire a few of them. They wanted me to help and do it. I helped them for a little bit until my cousin got back out. I quit working for them, but the group leader had a thing for me and wanted me to join the gang. I refused and he killed my cousin for it and then threatened my family was next if I didn't join and submit… I did the only thing I could've done…" Hinata broke slightly into sobs, "I told the police who had murdered my cousin and he's sitting in jail now. My family moved away overseas, my father was disgusted with me and was disappointed in my cousin for ever joining a gang. I was left here with police protection for a few months but now, I'm left here all alone." Hinata said quietly, breaking off from her story, tears running down her face. She wiped her eyes trying to stop the tears. "Sorry for being so weak like this, but… This… This is the first time I ever got to share these events to anyone… And out of all people its to you… A person I barely know…" Hinata said sadly, keeping her eyes away from Gaara's, afraid to see disgust on his face at her weakness.

Suddenly, Gaara got up and a few more tears slipped from Hinata's eyes. She thought he was going to walk out now and her only safety that she ever felt was going to disappear from her. Instead, though, Gaara grabbed her hand, lifting her up to her feet and off the couch. Hinata slowly got to her feet, shocked. Gaara wiped the tears beneath her eyes, gazing softly into her white eyes. "They will no longer touch you." Gaara said warmly and he placed his arms around her. Those words filled her with butterflies. She looked at this man who came into her life unexpectedly and willingly, ready to protect her. Her affection grew for this man, whose arms could fill her with comfort and a voice that could tingle her senses.

"We never finished our dance." Hinata said memorized, staring up at Gaara.

"Indeed." Gaara agreed as he fixed his arms right and start to sway. They danced to the music inside their own heads. The silence wasn't noticed as if they could hear the music all around them as they danced into the night.

I hope this solved some of the curiosity if any were out there about Hinata. Next up is a little about Gaara and the end of the story. Let's hope I don't take forever, but at least you know I do continue my stories no matter what! :)

Please Review, if you wish I continue and if you like the story.

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto or the song: "Into the Night"