Disclaimer and A/N: Still don't own Naruto, sadly. Anyways, I would love for you people to review. :D It makes me feel special. Reviews help me feel as if this story is important, and therefore you guys will get more of it! I have at least twenty fans that have checked out each chapter, and not that many reviewers! So, you know what to do! Oh, if you haven't heard of Owl City you must live in a hole or hate music. So check out Owl City's song Fuzzy Blue Lights. It sort of sets the mood for parts of this chapter. Thanks to creativeblogger444, Shibo26, and darkaquarian96! Enough of my notes; enjoy the chapter!

Just awakening, I yawned and tried to sit up. Strangely, I couldn't. I turned my head, seeing my alarm clock that read 2:52. Woah. When did I get home anyways? Again, I tried to sit up. And again, I failed. Finally, I turned over to see what was holding me down. My eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness to show a pair of eyes staring at me. It wasn't the cute kitty eyes I normally saw when I woke up in the middle of the night. No, that was not my cat. My cat did not have swoon-worthy, sleep-deprived eyes that made me shiver so effortlessly. The eyes that stared back at me were clearly not that of a gray kitten named Bast. They were actually of a boy named Gaara.

Before I even had a chance to gasp and freak out about Gaara lying in my bed, with an arm around me, he said, "Are you cold or something, Aya?"

My face went blank and I wondered what he was talking about. Then I remembered that I had shivered because of his gaze. "Oh, uh... No." I blushed and looked at his face, searching for an answer as to why he was here. When I didn't get one, I asked. "Why are you in my bed, Gaara?"

He actually looked a tiny bit embarrassed as he said, "You fell asleep in the car, and wouldn't wake up when we reached your house. So I eventually had to carry you inside. You wouldn't let go of me."

Now I was the embarrassed one, blushing hard. "Oh."

I tried to get up again, and Gaara late me. As soon as I was away from his arms, I was freezing. "Damn its cold!" I threw a shoe at my fan and it shut up. I grinned triumphantly and stood, shivering again. "I'll be right back, Gaara-kun."

I left my room, not really worried about leaving him alone in there. I really didn't figure Gaara was a closet-perv or anything. With a wondering mind about whether or not I had spoken in my sleep, I made my way through the hallway. I grabbed a random tee and sleep pants to change into. Exiting the bathroom after changing and brushing my teeth, I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle. I made my way to my room, opening the door to find Gaara exactly as he had been before I left. "So did you sleep?"

The boy looked at me again. "I don't sleep."

"Ever?"

"Not in ten years."

"Why?"

The boy merely shrugged. I did the same and sat next to him. Cold yet again, I tugged on my thick blanket. Gaara shifted and it was released. I grinned as I bundled into its comforting, familiar warmth. "Aren't you cold?" I asked the silent boy skeptically. Gaara didn't reply, so I said, "Gaara-kun?"

Finally, he turned to me with an almost-blank expression. "Yes, Aya?"

Something about his tone scared me. Gaara was clearly not okay, but I didn't know why. Instead of asking, I threw part of the blanket over him. Then I scooted closer, hoping it would be okay, and lay my head down on his chest because one of his arms rested on the back of my blue futon. A sheepish grin plastered on my face, I peeked up at him. "I wanted to thank you for staying with me, even though you probably weren't that comfortable. And you didn't look amazingly warm over here, so…" I just let my voice trail off when the red head still said nothing at all.

I yawned and he reached up, flicking off the light. For a long time, we just stayed like that. Neither of us said anything and I didn't sleep. My mind wondered and I thought about what I was doing for the holidays. Aunt Aiko was going back to my parent's house (to which she had invited me to join and I declined) during the break and Mori and her mother were going to visit come close relatives (which they always did). I would probably just spend it here, like any other day off from school. Still pondering my plans, I didn't notice Gaara had been staring at me for a while until I finally looked over at him. When I did, I smiled kindly at him and went back to mulling over Christmas plans.

Around ten minutes later, I thought I felt something against the back of my neck. It made me shiver, and I figured it was just the chills. Not warm even though I'd been next to Gaara for many minutes, I hesitantly cuddled into Gaara some more. He tensed and I prayed that this didn't really bother him too much. Later, when he relaxed a bit, I went back to breathing normally. Something brushed my shoulder blades and I shivered again. Also, again, Gaara tensed. Soon it all returned to normal and I was lost in thought. In fact, I was so deep in thought, that when something touched my shoulder, I jumped out of my skin. At that moment, Gaara jumped back from me a bit, and looked towards my door.

"Gaara? Was that you that touched my shoulder?" I practically whispered.

"Yeah," he said simply. I shrugged and hesitantly moved towards him again. Just as he did in the taxi, he scooted close to me. I lay my head on his chest again, just listening to his steady beating heart. For some reason, it beat faster than usual.

"Aya?" said the boy.

"Yes?"

"What do you dream about?"

Of all the things he could've said, I never expected it to be that. Well… Gaara was unpredictable.

"Well… It varies, really. I have random thoughts and images go through my mind during my dream state, so I have random and odd dreams." I nodded, as if this made any sense.

He just gave me a 'what-the-hell?' look.

"It varies."

"Oh."

The comfortable silence from before surrounded me and my newest friend. The only sounds were that of the now-renewed fan and my constant yawning. I hadn't been this tired in a long time. Apparently Gaara noticed how much I was yawning and asked if I needed to sleep.

"Do you mind if I sleep?" I asked sheepishly.

He blinked in surprise. "No."

"Okay."

He stood, as if to go. "Where are you going?" I asked him.

"You're going to sleep, are you not? I'm going to wait on the couch. Or maybe the roof."

For some reason, I just really didn't feel like being alone… It was just some weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it was practically eating me alive. I looked at him with all but pleading eyes, and said: "Please don't leave Gaara-kun, I don't wanna get cold."

A look of almost amusement crossed his face as he sat back down. I frowned, tugging on his arm. After a bit of cooperation and some more tugging, he was laying next to me. We were close, but not touching-close. Like he had never called me a stalker and refused to speak with anyone, Gaara wrapped his arm around me. I felt peace – finally – and lay still. "G'night, Gaara-kun," I murmured.

It was then my father burst into my room and snatched me out of the bed. Before I could even react and wonder why he was here, the man kicked me and twisted one of my arms around my back. This wasn't exactly what I expected. My father was usually too busy to even bother striking me. I grunted, offended and in shock. Then he asked why I was so happy here, being toyed with.

"What?" I asked, in a steady voice (which was hard to spit out).

"No one here cares, Aya," he hissed. You threw away your family to be with Mori and some freak-show friends. Your aunt Aiko only stays around because she pities you. You own mother talks of disowning her disgraceful daughter. You must be so ashamed," he finished, throwing me to the ground completely. I resisted the urge to whimper, not letting him see it hurt.

A kick to the left side of my ribs managed to knock a yelp out of me though. "You're pathetic and weak."

"No, I'm not," I protested.

"Then fight it," he growled.

This confused me. "Fight what?"

Instead of answering, another swift kick (to my stomach this time) rendered me unable to breathe, let alone speak again. For a while, all he did was kick me while I was down, earning a whimper or yelp from me each time. At least the bastard reason for my birth never saw me actually cry.

Bruised and hurt, I tried to get up when the blows stopped for a moment. I wasn't hit or kicked. I was held down, gently. Looking around, the man was gone. I lay back down and let myself cry – huge, racking sobs.

"Aya."

I froze in fear of him being back.

"Aya, look at me." Oh, thank whatever god existed, it wasn't him.

I relaxed and looked up, seeing the two matching, aqua orbs. I knew those lovely eyes anywhere.

"Gaara?" I asked.

"You were having a nightmare," he said simply.

I didn't cry again or let out a shuddering breath. Instead, I rolled over and looked at the clock. It wasn't even four. I'd barely slept half an hour before being awaken… With an inward sigh, I curled up into a little ball, my back still to Gaara. I didn't really feel like looking into his amazing eyes, seeing the wonder about what I wouldn't tell him.

"Aya…" He never finished, only wrapped his arm around me again. I was pulled closer to him, my back to his chest.

For a long time, I just lay silently. I listened intently to Gaara's breathing, so even and sure. My own was fast-paced and a bit ragged. While I just lay there, my eyes closed, I thought of the boy next to me. He held me close, never loosening his firm but gentle grip. This was most likely because I was upset. Then I remembered he'd touched my shoulder, later putting his arm around me. I guessed he did this to show that he still didn't want me – his only real friend – to leave him. Of course, I wouldn't. I cared for Gaara, I noted while thinking. Probably not as a lover, but more like an old friend that you had helped through a lot, bringing you two closer. I could probably write an entire book about him, despite not knowing about his past or parents.

"Thanks, Gaara," I mumbled. He nodded which was felt but not seen.

For some unknown, crazy reason, I had a sudden urge to reach over and touch Gaara's red hair. Sooo I did. Slowly, my hand stretched towards his head. The boy, lost in thought, never noticed. As soon as my fingertips reached the (surprisingly) lush, red mess of hair, his gorgeous eyes flicked to me and a gentle hand grasped my wrist. He didn't even have to ask what the hell I was doing; his features and movements screamed the question.

I relaxed, turning fully around. I was determined to do this. My eyes softened and practically murmured 'Trust me,' to the watchful boy. His gentle grip was completely released, and I – ever so softly – lay my hand upon his head. Those eyes still wondered, but I just ran my hands through his soft, red hair with a small grin. Surprisingly, Gaara closed his eyes and he leaned into my hand a bit, like a cat. I could practically hear him purr. After a couple minutes, my grin was wider and my hands still running through the lush redness. "You really enjoy this, don't you?" I teased lightly. Then it was almost like a jolt went through him.

As soon as I said that, Gaara jerked back and looked at me, slightly surprised. My hand rested in mid-air, and I lay it in my lap. Confused, I tilted my head at the boy, wondering why he did that.

He didn't reply, only leaned back, looking at me skeptically.

I rolled my eyes. He acted as if he had never been touched. Slowly, again, I reached my hand out, but this time to touch his cheek. I smiled as his eyes widened even more when my fingertips brushed against his strong jaw. I ran the pads of my fingers up to his cheek as he stared at me in amazement. Once I tried to take my hand away, the silent boy grabbed my hand with his own. Gaara turned it over in his hand, like it was something he wanted to memorize before it disappeared. He stopped turning it and just let it lay in his hand. With a smile, I grasp his and moved from the bed, tugging him off.

"C'mon. We may as well be ready for school." I grabbed my uniform and let go of his hand, letting him wander to the living room. I changed, quickly ran over my hair with a straightener, and outlined my eyes with kohl black.

"Let me get my shoes and we can go," I said, slipping on the low-tops and my jacket on. We walked out the door, heading towards his house.

I skipped ahead, playing the music on my phone and dancing to the beat happily. Whenever it changed, so did my dance moves. I kept this crazy act up until we reached Gaara's house. He entered first, leaving the door open for me to follow. I did, plopping on the couch as he trailed up the stairs.

I stretched, and lay my head on the arm of the couch. Soon, I was bored. Hmm... I bet Kankuro was still asleep... With a mischievous grin, I headed up he stairs. His room was the first on the right, next to the bathroom. Ready to walk in quietly and find something horrible to do, I padded silently towards the door. Sadly, just as I was about to reach it, it opened. Kankuro looked at me, blinked, and looked at me again.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"Damn, this isn't the bathroom!" I replied. He rolled his eyes. Ha. Moron.

"The next door baka. So why are you here?"

"I came with your brother."

"Where was he?"

"My house... Duh."

"I figured he'd come home. Or that he'd just walk around until daybreak."

"No, he stayed the entire night at my house. And usually he doesn't walk, he just sits on the roof looking at the sky."

"How do you know all this?" he asked me, skeptic yet again. I rolled my eyes. Doesn't he know anything about his brother? I mean, seriously.

"Gaara and I usually spend our nights hanging out. Sometimes we talk, sometimes I talk, sometimes its quiet." I shrugged again. "It really all depends on our moods. Sort of like lunch, but it last for hours and Naru isn't there to make fun of everyone." I nodded, this was a reasonable explanation of what we did.

"Oh… I still think you're a baka."

I glared at the boy, who glared at me in return. "Why do you find yourself so superior?" Sadly, I couldn't keep a straight face while saying this.

"Maybe it's because I can keep a straight face?"

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really."

I crossed my eyes and smiled hugely. This, in return, made Kankuro laugh loudly.

"Tsk, tsk. Lying is a sin. You don't want to go to Hell and accompany Hitler, now do you?"

"You freakin' moron."

"Gah! Stop lying! I don't want to see you go to Hell!" His glare was threatening as I fled, running down the stairs quickly. I heard his footsteps following mine and laughed. Turning into the living room, I ran right into a very surprised Gaara. I had been running so fast, we were completely knocked over. In other words, I was basically lying on top of the red head. I heard Kankuro's laughter while I was falling, and it only grew while I lay sprawled on his brother.

I rolled off Gaara, now laying next to him. Kankuro was practically doubled over laughing. I stretched and kicked him in the shin. Sadly, he didn't stop laughing. Now he was alternating between laughing and saying 'Ow!'. I giggled, watching him. Then Gaara was standing next to me, looking down with his slightly-amused-but-still-kind-of-dry look. The boy rolled his eyes at his brother and I giggled yet again. Oddly, Gaara held out his hand and helped me up. Kankuro immediately stopped laughing and began staring. I childishly stuck my tongue out at him and sat back on the couch to resume my bored position. Gaara sat next to me, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. The elder of the brothers just stared at me, like I'd just eaten a car or something. He didn't even stop staring when Temari came downstairs.

"G'morning Aya. Why's Kankuro staring at you?" she asked with a yawn.

"He's weird," I muttered. "But I think the actual reason is because Gaara helped me up after I knocked him and myself over."

She shrugged, and said: "I'm used to Gaara acting strange around you. It's kind of normal now. I guess he just has a hard time adapting or something. It's not too surprising anymore. Gaara has a soft spot for you. I'm just over the shock of that."

"Hn," we heard from the boy.

I rolled my eyes again. "Shush Gaara-kun." I turned back to Temari to talk about her brother. "Gaara's gotten a lot better. Now he only uses 'Hn' about every other sentence," I joked. Without looking, I knew he was glaring at me. "No glaring, Gaara-kun. How many times do I have to tell you?" His sister laughed and went to get dressed.

Gaara sat silently, eyes closed again. I curled my feet under me and flicked on the T.V. I crinkled my nose at the channel: Spike. Ugh, I thought while turning it to VH1. That was much better! Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas sung and I hummed along. His voice was, like, addictive. It was just so pure and sweet. Out of all my favorite bands and music artists, he had the best voice. That's not a lie. So I sat and listened to what was left of his song. Then came a very good song - which I ultimately adored no matter how sad it was - called Stay by Safetysuit. Just remembering the video made me want to cry. Temari and Kankuro wandered in, now dressed and mostly awake. They watched the video, and I tried to hide my sniffling towards the end. Sadly, Kankuro (of all people) noticed.

"Are you crying?" he asked.

I stopped sniffling. "No."

"Seriously, did that song make you cry?"

I paused. Ah, what the hell, he'd already noticed. "...Yes..."

Out of all the things Kankuro could've done, he chose to be a jerk. He started laughing.

"Ugh. You're such a jerk. I'll see you guys at school. Later, Gaara. See ya Temari." I glared at Kankuro again. "Ass hole."

I walked angrily back to my house. I had around half an hour before I had to begin walking to Kohana High, so I planned to enjoy some coffee and maybe a waffle.

How big of an ass could a guy be? Laughing at a girl when she cries is just about the worst you could do. That's really common sense... Ugh. He totally pisses me off. I already hate crying, but at the same I'm a lame sap when it comes to love stories and songs. And then he goes off and laughs when I'm crying.

Whatever. I pushed it out my mind and spent the next half hour sipping coffee and playing Cascada to lift my spirits.

On the way to school, I debated on whether or not my parents really detested me as much as my dream portrayed. And whether or not that meant they would refuse to buy me something to ride to school. Even a bike would be better than walking!

I entered home room, finding Mori and Naru gossiping about something. Kakashi then announced that we would just hang out today. The Christmas gifts in my backpack hung heavy, and I planned to give everyone - excluding Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara - their gifts today. "Hey," I greeted.

"Hiya, Aya." Mori had a grin plastered on her face, I figured the thing she was hiding behind her back was my gift.

"No, no, no, no. Me first. You'll just adore your present, Mori-san."

She sighed. "Fine." She put the small wrapped object on my desk.

I handed her the box with a huge grin. Mori opened it, and gasped. She threw her arms around my neck and knocked me backwards. I gasped, not able to breathe. "Let... Go." Finally, she did. At least we didn't have people staring at us anymore. The other people had just grown used to Mori's overly hyper attitude now that I was here to perk her up. I sat back up and straightened my skirt. My best friend was practically bouncing in her seat as she looked the shirt over.

"I guess you like the present?"

"I love it!!! Oh geez Mori. You're gonna make me feel better because I know you won't love your present as much. I hate when you go shopping for me and I have to get you something too." She sighed, but gave me my present anyway.

I opened it slowly, not attacking it as my best friend had done. Again, she was practically bouncing, but now because she was nervous. I smiled, seeing a box fit only for a necklace or watch. And my phone told me the time, so... Unclasping the small box, my breath caught.

Inside the little box, was something I never expected. "Oh my God, Mori. Where did you get this?"

"That's not important. Do you like it?"

"Do I think Ryan Ross is hot?"

"That much?"

"It's the best thing I've ever gotten!!" This time I hugged her, so thankful for such a thoughtful friend.

The necklace box held something I would forever love. It was a necklace just like the one my brother had given me, but with new silver and expertly inscribed initials, and a kanji on the back. I questioned Mori about it.

"The kanji stands for love. I thought since you loved your brother so much and never see him, and your like a sister to me and we have to love each other without getting killed, it was appropriate." she grinned, happily stroking her shirt like a puppy. I rolled my eyes but smiled, thanking her again.

"No problem, I'm just glad you liked it!"

As we went about talking, I felt a very familiar presence in the room. Gaara ha finally shoed up. I turned to say hello, a giant smile plastered on my face and a new necklace laying against my collar bone. Before I could however, he gave me a look that clearly meant he wasn't in that great of a mood. Mori looked at me, understanding. She went back to chatting with our blonde friend with the hyperactive actions.

"Hi, Gaara," I greeted quietly.

The boy only nodded, and I sighed. This morning he was so much better. What could've happened within that hour?

I guess I'd just have to try to find out.