Nearly in the Forest of Death, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee were coming up with a strategy. Tenten was leaning on a tree, thinking about what had happened betwwen Hinata and Ino.

I thought Neji said that Hinata doesn't have any back bone... she thought confused.

Neji looked at her in wonder. Tenten would usually listen to Neji when he comes up with plans. But now, she's spaced out in her thoughts. He called out to her, thinking that she will come out of her thoughts. It didn't work. So he tried again.

"Tenten!" Neji shouted.

"What?" she asked, finally out of her thoughts.

"What's so important in your mind that made you ignore my plans?"

She turned stiff with wide eyes when she remembered that Hinata ate the sunflower. Neji was aware of this and stepped up to her.

What is she hiding? Neji thought suspicious.

"Um... yeah, I was listening. Let's target Hinata's group first, okay?" Tenten sounded like she was begging.

"Why? Didn't I tell you about her already?" He asked with an eyebrow raised. "Besides, she's not on our level..."

"Well, we can spy on her while Rock Lee gets a scroll."

"What's going on?"

"There's something up with your cousin and I have a bad feeling about it. If what you say is true, then my eyes are deceiving me."

Neji's eyebrows were still raised. What did she mean when she said her eyes were deceiving her? Something was up and Neji was going to get to the bottom of it... Neji and Tenten decides to go after Hinata's group first. Rock Lee is already gone to find a Heaven scroll to pass the test. Neji closed his eyes and sighed. Of all things, why did Tenten suggest to target Hinata first? His own cousin?

"Byakugan!" Neji shouted, activating his Kekkei Genkai.

He looked around in the forest and finally found Shino. Shino was gathering logs with... Kakuro?

"What the hell?" Neji said out loud.

"What?" Tenten asked, interested.

He ignored her and quickly ran towards the same direction, hiding his chakra and himself within the trees and nature. Tenten ran after him, doing the same thing.

What the hell is going on? Neji thought frustrated.

"Neji? What's up? What's going on?" Tenten asked confused.

"That's what I wanna know..."

While they continued to spy, Hinata was sitting on a log next to Gaara. Her hands were covering her face, making Gaara feel worried but not actually showing it.

"What happened on your walk...?" Gaara asked in his monotone voice.

"A flashback..." Hinata whispered.

"About what?"

"It's a long story."

"I'm patient..."

"Since when?"

Hinata laughed to herself when Gaara said that. It was true though. Since when was Gaara patient with anyone? The last time that she remembers about Gaara waiting, Kankuro took too long to get ready for the Hyuuga Compound dance and he almost killed him for almost being late. Hinata chuckled at the thought. Kankuro always gets in trouble with Gaara whenever he does something idiotic like he reads the scroll or tears it up. Gaara's going to have to kill Kankuro again if that happens... literally. Hinata looks at her red headed best friend. If only she didn't make Gaara go through all that trouble, she wouldn't have to think about the Meadow of Faith, which was now the Forest of Death. Monsters that devour chakra? Wow, that's new... Hinata got up from the tattered log she sat on. Gaara stared at her still.

It's not surprising that she keeps things to herself... Gaara thought, sighing.

Wow... It must be love... thought the Shukaku, the sand demon breathing into his mind like a hollow shell.

Baka...

Hey! I'm just pointing out the obvious! Admit it, you got a crush on that Hyuuga girl!

Why would I love my best friend? That's all we'll ever be.

I'm just saying Gaara... Grab her while you have the chance before it slips out of your fingers!

Whatever...

The Shukaku cackled into Gaara's mind. He looked to the ground. He felt confident around Hinata, he felt protective around Hinata, he felt a bit talkative about Hinata... His heart beats for Hinata, his arms want to be around Hinata, his lips want to... Wait! What was he thinking! He can't feel anything like that around Hinata! But he couldn't help but blush at the thought. He can't think of anything else but her. Maybe the Shukaku was right...

Maybe Gaara does love Hinata...