When Hinata awoke she accepted that this wasn't her old room or her old bed but recognized that it would be her new one. She'd grown accustomed to Gaara standing in his corner, eyes on her sleeping form. She really didn't have any of her own clothes except for the one's she'd come here in which were her normal clothes. Temari seemed to notice this as they all sat down for breakfast, save for Gaara.

"You know what Hinata? I'm tired of you looking like a beat-up sewer rat. We need to do something with you, you look like a mess! I know…CLOTHES SHOPPING!"

"What? No way you're using all the money in the bank account for your girly stuff!"

"Excuse me but who said I'd be using ALL the money? Besides, I'm the eldest! The money would fall to me first, baka and anyways if Hinata is going to live here she'll need new clothes…and isn't that big party thing coming up? Hinata will need a dress."

"Temari-"

"No…leave her be Kankuro…Hinata does need new clothes…and a new ninja headband. She also needs training supplies."

"Hmm! Time somebody saw things my way! Arigato Oni-san."

"Don't call me that…and don't thank me…it's not for YOU it's for Hinata."

His eyes came in contact with hers. She looked away and blushed.

"Well come on Hinata! Time to shop!"

Temari grabbed Hinata by the wrist and dragged her outside.

"Ahh! Fresh…hot….desert air!"

"It's so h-hot!"

"Yeah it is, but you get used to it. This is home, either way. Beautiful, hot, sandy, desolate home. Well, enough talk…more shop!"

The first place they went into was a nail shop. The smell of the place made Hinata a little woozy at first but she got used to it as she sat down and read a magazine that had a health section on how to keep yourself strong and fit. Hinata had never been to a place like this but was up to doing anything new. Temari told Hinata to sit down next to the lady with the tiny glasses and do whatever that lady said.

"Hello my name is Lynn. Did you pick out the color?"

Hinata remembered Temari telling her to pick out a color polish and she had picked out pretty lavender-like color while Temari was more bold and picked out a vivid, sparkling green color. Hinata gave the lady the lavender polish and allowed her to do whatever she wanted with Hinata's delicate, soft, weather worn, small hands. Hinata watched as she clipped her nails, filed them, soaked them in water then painted them. After that it was time to sit in a very comfy chair and put their feet in blue water.

"So Hinata, have you ever done this before?"

"No. Never. I know we have s-salons in Konoha but…I've never been."

"What?! You're kidding? I do this like twice a month. It's so relaxing. I know I may act like a tomboy but this rough lady has to have nice feet and nails. It's a must for every girl!"

"Is it? I never knew."

Hinata giggled when the lady scrubbed the bottom of her feet, it tickled very much and then she watched as her toenails were cleaned, trimmed, filed, and polished. After that Temari paid and they walked out, both were wearing sandals of course.

"Ahh! You see, it feels good to have clean hands and feet? It's always good to be pretty and doll yourself up once in a while. Right, Hina-Chan?"

"Hai!"

"That's right! Now on to the shopping!"

The two girls walked into something like a flea market and immediately Temari went to the jewelry. She held up some golden bangles and jingled them.

"This look like me Hinata? Or are these too much?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Your stuttering is getting a whole lot better! That's good!"

"R-really?"

"Never mind…you need more work. Stop being so nervous. Toughen up! Listen to your aunty Temari and you'll be strong as an ox."

"T-Thank you for helping m-me."

"Yeah… well don't thank me…it's nothing kiddo. Now I don't think these are me…I don't really like gold…"

They went on through the jewelry department until Temari came across some drooping pearl earrings.

"Oh Hinata these are you!"

"They are?"

"Yeah! Try them on! I'd bet you'd look real good in them. Pearls are definitely for you! They are simple yet elegant…like you!"

"Gee t-thanks…but…"

"But?"

"M-my ears aren't pierced."

"WHAAAAT! You're kidding me! Ah, Kuso. Guess we'll have to just pierce them ourselves! I can do that for free."

"W-will it hurt?"

"Nah it's just a pinch. Don't be so scared of pain. I mean after handling Gaara you will be able to tolerate a little needle prick."

"Y-You're right…"

"He seems better though…and you know…it kinda scares me but yet…I'm happy….but never mind that mushy stuff…BLECH! Come on."

Hinata followed Temari through the market and let Temari buy whatever she wanted for her but Hinata did stop and look at one thing that she really, really fancied but it was very expensive…ever still this amulet was gorgeous! It was a silver chain with a shiny white amulet surrounded by silver and little blue sapphires. The old lady had said it changes color depending on your mood but it was very, very special and very real and it doubled as a locket and you could put two pictures inside. Who would Hinata put? Who did she want to hold dear to her heart? Thoughts of the spiky-haired boy in the orange jumpsuit came to her mind but she shook him out. He had Sakura...

'And besides he isn't worth it. You must repeat that.' Commanded her inner voice

'I can't!'

'You must and you will!'

Hinata continued on with her new friend into the clothes section where Hinata was subjected to trying on clothes that both she and Temari picked. By the end of the day they had so many bags it was hard to walk home but they had one last stop.

"Yes this is Hinata Hyuga and she needs an official sand village headband."

"Was she born here?" The clean, well-dressed man with the glasses asked.

"No she was born in Konoha but has to move here to the Suna."

"Does she have her parents' consent?"

"Yes of course, they told her to come here and live with us in the Suna while they lived with her sister and cousin in Konoha."

"Do you have any proof?"

"No...but…"

"Until you have proof of parent or guardians consent then she cannot lawfully move here and get her Ninja headband."

"But I'm her guardian. Me and my two brothers."

"Do you have any paperwork showing that you are her guardian by law or that her parents or former guardians signed the guardianship over to you and your family?"

"No...but listen…"

"I'm sorry ma'am but without any paper work none of this can be done."

"What a crock of crap! I mean really! Treating the Kazekages only daughter like this!"

"Y-you're the Kazekage's daughter?"

"Temari is my name and if you don't believe me look it up…"

"Y-you do resemble his l-late wife… I'll t-take y-y-our word for it. B-but the r-rules are r-rules ma'am."

"Oh really? Well father will love to hear this…lately he's in very pissy mood and ready to fire anyone...or maybe I should get my brother on you…"

"Y-your brother?"

"Sabaku No Gaara…the demon of the sand. Surely you've heard of him?"

The man swallowed hard and started sweating. The manager came over, also smartly dressed with glasses.

"Now now what's all the fuss? Are you threatening my employees?"

"I surely am! He's giving me a hard time! I'm the daughter of the Kazekage and this is the Lady Hyuga, Heiress of the Hyuga name and fortune…why she's practically a princess! And this man is being very rude to the both of us!"

"Is that so? Kimashi Gorusan is just a trainee; you'll have to forgive his rudeness. Now what is it you needed?"

"Lady Hyuga needs to become a permanent resident of the Suna and get her very own Suna headband. That's all I want."

"Well we can do that!"

"But sir the papers…"

"Papers shmapers! These are basically royalty! This young lady is our leader's only daughter! Temari, right?"

"Hai."

"And this lovely young lady is the Hyuga heiress! They don't need papers…besides…," he leaned down and whispered, "If we do this we won't get torn to shreds by her demon brother and maybe we'll get in good with the Kazekage and their family. Not to mention make some bonds with our sister village, Konoha."

"Well, are we getting this done or what? These bags are very heavy and it's been a long day and my brother is going to be pissed if I don't bring his beloved back home."

"Beloved?" The manager, Hinata, and Kimashi all said this.

"That's right this is my little Gaara's beloved lover. So you best not keep him departed from her too long lest you want a heartbroken demon to rampage through here."

"Ah…no we don't…let's hurry then…follow me."

Throughout all the papers and signing and writing and receiving her ninja headband Hinata couldn't stop blushing. His beloved lover? It wasn't true…was it?

"Temari…did you lie today?"

They were almost home and Hinata hadn't even so much as glanced at her shiny new headband.

"Yes…but sometimes you have to lie to get what you want. No, you're not Gaara's lover…but I think one day you will be…he seems to like you. Even if he doesn't show it the way you want him to or the way he should or the way that it's intended to be, he does. He gave you that bunny, he's trained you merely because you've asked, and he's always looking out for you and wants to win your affection… I don't know if you feel the same way or not but I'm almost certain he cares. He's a bit rough and violent and reckless but you know that's not what he's really like it's that damned demons fault. He seems to be calming down now and I swear to Kami it's all your fault…and that's a damn good thing. Gaara isn't ugly…I don't really thing so… every girl…hell every person is scared stiff of him save for us and you. I thought he'd never find happiness or whatever it is you people want these days…then you came along and I saw some of that black, evil aura was melting away and its place was something new…something foreign…something from the past and I swear to Kami I saw a little, tiny smile. I never believed in the power of love or true love…but I think I'll start believing…maybe. You're a good thing, Hinata…a real good thing. I feel like life wouldn't be the same without you…imouto….but listen to me rambling on! We're home!"

When they got home Kankuro rummaged through their bags.

"Where's the food?!"

"Make your own damned food I'm tired."

"Temari you know I can't even boil water! Come on!"

"Stuff it up your ass Kankuro! You've gotta learn how to survive without me."

"Oh that's easy but surviving without the food? OH KAMI NEVER!"

"BAKA!"

Temari lifted her fan, ready to strike when Gaara came in from his room.

"Took you long enough…any longer and I'd have to actually go and find you both. Is it official?"

"YUP! Welcome Hinata Hyuga from the village of the sand! Yay another Suna girl in the house!"

"Damn…more women. Well at least she's pretty to look at."

"What am I chopped liver?"

"I'd rather look at chopped liver than you!"

"That's it you're dead!"

Temari started beating up Kankuro but this time he actually fought back. Gaara looked at Hinata who seemed to be looking directly into his soul.

'Her eyes…are piercing…'

He looked down at her bags and picked them up.

"Huh? Gaara I can…"

"You can but you won't…it's my duty as your protector…provider and friend…friends help friends? Right?"

Hinata smiled very big.

"Hai."

They both carried the bags to his room while Temari and Kankuro, in mid-fight, watched with happy smiles in their eyes and a smirk on their faces.

"My little bro is growing up."

"Yeah…he is. Hey you know what…he might actually get laid before you do Kankuro. Man, that's sad."

"Shut the fuck up you piece of-"

"Don't even go there! Just…don't. Now let go of my hair."

"Whatever…you're not worth fighting."

"Son of a bitch! I'll kill you!"

Kankuro looked back…it was he who looked dark and gloomy and scary.

"You just called our mother a bitch…"

Temari sat there in shock then looked down on the floor. She was just so mad that she didn't realize she slandered their good mother's name.

"Kami forgive me…"

Temari did something she rarely did…she started crying. Kankuro softened up and tried to hug his sister but she ran off into her room. Kankuro knocked them came in with her bags.

"You girls sure don't shop lightly…Hey Temari…listen I'm sorry I know you meant no harm. You don't have to cry…you look really ugly when you cry."

"I guess I always look ugly…so it doesn't matter. Look at me crying like a baby! How weak am I?"

"You're not ugly… you look like mom."

"I miss her…it hurts to think about it so deep like this and it usually doesn't…what's wrong with me? Am I going soft?"

"Maybe…we're all changing. Wipe your tears, okay? I miss mom too…but I know she's up there…watching us…disgraced as hell at our actions…but she loves us still."

Gaara went from his room to check out the commotion he stopped by Temari's door to listen.

"Yeah…we're all changing…thanks to Hinata."

"Yeah…she's pretty awesome….wanna hear something stupid?"

"Anything that comes out of your mouth is stupid."

"Ah, shut up you big sissy. You're the one blubbering like a baby."

"Quiet, baka."

They both smiled and hugged each other.

"Tell me the stupid thing."

"I think Hinata is an angel sent down from Kami and our mother to help us. Look at her, changing your tough self into something actually kind and I think I might be changing as well but the biggest change is Gaara. That angel that we call Hinata is for all our betterment but specially meant for Gaara."

"I think so too. I love Hinata…like a little sister. We can't let her leave."

"We won't…they will never find her…Gaara will see to that."

"He loves her too, you know."

"You think so?"

"Woman's instinct."

"You females think you know everything."

"He does love her…in his own weird way and he'll discover his love for her more and more…"

"Look at my tough as nails sister talking about love again."

"Hinata has me going soft…"

"Well it's time to get my afternoon nap."

"A nap sounds good right now…and cookies"

"I'll go get some."

"But I want the ones you make in the oven…"

"I'll make them."

"You'll catch the whole house on fire!"

"Hey…I'll learn how to do it…for you."

"You're a good brother… but next time I won't be so nice we still have to finish our fight."

"Oh hell yeah…and I'll win."

"In your dreams!"

Kankuro was about to leave but Temari shocked him with a kiss on the forehead and whispered,

"Just like when you were little…and actually cute."

"Ah, close your mouth the flies will get in….with hope you might choke."

Finally he left but he didn't see Gaara who was fast as lightning getting back to his room. Hinata was asleep again and as he examined her, he realized the light was creating a halo around her hair. She was an angel…sent for him. An angel for a demon. A princess for a monster. He played with her hair and got close to her face; her skin smelled good and fresh and he longed to nibble on it again.

'Why don't you boy? Bite into that warm, milky, supple flesh.'

The temptation was too much for him but he'd wake her up if he did it so against all the desires he had he didn't do it. Temari said he loved her. Did he? How did he not know? How did she know? Maybe he did… but what now? Did she love him? What about that guy with the orange jumpsuit she blushed about? Was he important? Did he have her eye and her heart? Where did Gaara fit in Hinata's life? Could he be part of her life? Could they…be lovers? How would this work? Would it work? Love…did he love her? Did he even really know what love felt like? He looked at her and heard her say his name so sweetly in her sleep. Yes…yes he loved her. It was shocking but he did! He'd have to keep proving it until she got the message and finally loved him back. She'd never leave his side…his forever until death. He tilted her head and kissed her in her sleep.

'By night when you sleep I am your lover by morning when you awake I am something of a friend…you are my angel, my doll, my only, my precious, my beloved, my protected, my desired, mine. Nobody will have you except me…one day you will know I am to be yours…until then by night I will be your lover and by morning I will be your friend.'

He kissed her again except longer. Nobody would find his princess here not with all the traps he laid out and things to confuse them. She'd be safe and snug here…safe from pain, truth, and choice… safe from knowledge…but was she really safe? The demon inside him lay dormant for now…planning their untimely and soon to be deaths.