They had finally reached their destination; their beloved home, The Sunagakure. Hot, dusty, almost barren in every way but ever still it was home. Being in the desert did not fare well with most people seeing as the heat was so intense that if one did not apply sunscreen before going out you would find yourself redder than Hinata's face after seeing Naruto naked. Hinata was in a coma the whole time on the way there, the heartbreaking news had simply been too much for her and her own sadness and tears were infused with enough chakra to tire her out for days. The crying and crying and heartbreak had both tired and stressed her out to the point of exhaustion and in a fit to reclaim some control she found herself passed out into the darkness. Kankuro had come up with this assessment and ensured Gaara that when they got to the Suna she would slip out of her coma. On top of all that pain inside her, physical pain, had hit her like a moving train and finally caught up to her. Her nerves were completely shocked and she needed to rest.

"Home sweet home," Remarked Kankuro as they reached their place of residence, the Kazekage tower.

It was a big building that resembled the Hokage tower but had its own special differences that made it unique. The three sand siblings entered the towers and departed into their rooms. Temari laid down on her white and blue covered bed and finally relaxed. She'd forgotten how comfy one's own bed could feel. Kankuro was also finding comfort in his domicile. He missed his other puppets and his posters of half-naked woman on his deep violet colored walls. He plopped into a corner filled with magazines, nail polishes, and black pillows realizing how good home felt when you were surrounded by hot girls in bikinis. Gaara felt no comfort in the room he always stayed brooding in and the bed that was neatly done for it was never used. He placed Hinata on top of his bed and looked at her body. She looked like she was fast asleep but he knew better.

He went to the bathroom and wet a cold rag and placed it onto her forehead. Temari had said this might help. All he could do now is wait for her to awaken from her slumber…like the sleeping princess. His fingers traced lines on her face then they ran through her short hair. He never really understood why her hair was so short and if it weren't for her baby face and feminine voice then she could be mistaken for a boy because she hid her curves underneath piles of clothing, but Gaara knew about those subtle curves that detail a woman from a man and those curves and fleshy parts drove him mad. He remembered when he hugged her how warm she was and oh how perfect she fit like they were made for each other and her hair had smelled lovely. He leaned over and buried his face in her hair.

'Really boy, now you're just making me sick. You know I think you're developing feelings for this creature. Disgusting! If you're going to pick out a mate why pick out such a puny, scrawny, weak, not even attractive mortal? She would be beautiful, though, with her blood spilled all over that snow-fallen skin and those pretty little eyes would look even prettier when squeezed out of her head.'

Gaara grabbed his head; he would NOT succumb to this demon's desires again!

'You will not control me! Not over my dead body!'

Shukaku laughed hard enough to rattle Gaara's brain. His deepest, most inward thoughts were never heard by Gaara.

'Dear boy THAT can be arranged.'

With Shukaku seemingly controlled by Gaara's willpower Gaara was able to relax and watch Hinata sleep. Perhaps some water would stimulate her awakening? He got a cup and filled it with cold water then opened her mouth and poured a little down. Her mouth was so small, soft and surprisingly cold and Gaara remembered the feel of them. It sent a tiny bolt of electricity though him like a sudden charge of chakra. Maybe another touch to those lips…wouldn't hurt? He thought she wouldn't mind seeing her present state and that these things were called kisses.

The name sounded sweet, too sweet when pronounced and felt like candy as it rolled off your tongue. It felt naughty and wrong like saying something bad the very first time. It felt like pop rocks popping on your tongue, it felt sour like a lemon, it felt spicy and burnt your tongue, it made you drool like seeing a moist, warm cookie just for you. This word "kiss" made Gaara feel a menagerie of feelings but also doing it…for real this time. He had seen people doing it and was always un-optimistically curious and also disgusted by it but not today, something in his heart, in his soul, fluttered at the thought. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her ever so gently as if his kiss was heavy and powerful and could crush her but yet he did it like he was sucking out her life.

She would never kiss the monster he was when she was awake so he would have to kiss her when she was asleep. Was it true, though; was he really developing feelings for her? Only time could tell. But, just like the sleeping princess in the story a kiss had awoken her! Gaara was visibly shaken by this because in the story the girl was a princess and Hinata might as well be the princess of Konoha given her background but he…he was a vicious, blood-thirsty demon of the sand definitely not prince material. It was almost worth laughing about…if Gaara could laugh. She tossed and moaned and bat her eyes until she got accustomed to the light in the room. The first thing she saw, after the blinding light, was Gaara looking down upon her.

"Gaara-san-shii. Where am I?"

"The Kazekage tower in the Suna. You didn't stutter…that's good you're making progress."

"I am? W-wait…the Suna?! K-KAHYAH! What am I d-doing h-here?"

"The stutter is back... maybe when you're scared you stutter. I'll see to that. You slipped into a coma and we took you here. You'll be safe and happy here. Stay here with us, Hina-chan."

Hinata blushed a deep crimson after being called that. It had been too long since she was last called Hina-Chan. Should she stay here forever? Was that a good idea, to leave her family and friends behind? Hinata found her inner self slapping her, telling her to wake up and smell the green tea. Her inner self connected with her outer self as Hinata found herself becoming tougher.

'I have no family…I have no friends. They've all abandoned me, they don't care, and they all think I'm weak and a little flower. I'm more than that! I'm worth more than they think! I don't need them if they don't need me. Weak, breakable, tiny, fragile…I'm just a doll to them…I'll show them…I'm more than just the weak link!'

Hinata looked at Gaara and smiled adorably, her cheeks a light rose color.

"Hai, Gaara-san-shii, I will stay."

Inwardly Gaara was cheering and smiling. He had won. He was victorious. She was his prize. Such a pretty prize. Outwardly he looked stone cold with some light warmth in his eyes.

"Very good."

Hinata looked outside and saw the desert that would be her new home. She saw what would be her new life and as she looked at Gaara she thought maybe…a new beginning as a new person.

'No longer a girl of the leaf am I but a girl of the sand instead. Farewell Konoha and all those who lied in saying they cared. Farewell heartbreak and tears and struggle. I won't miss any of it…because it doesn't even miss me.'

But she had a strange feeling that there had to be somebody missing her and she felt their love and loss caress her with their sadness. She knew it was just a feeling but she couldn't help but think somebody out there that missed her. She wanted to feel loved and wanted but she knew it could never be so. Still she couldn't shake the feeling that somebody missed her and was sending her his or her love. Deep in the forest of Konoha Kiba was hot on the trail of Gaara and Hinata. He looked up toward the stars and could only hope she was sleeping peacefully.

'Hinata…I wish there was some way to tell you that you are missed…I miss you. I send my love to you…wherever you are. Know now that you are missed.'