So I'm going to regret staying up late when I get up for work in the morning... But I couldn't help myself! I'm also giving you the next chapter as it ties in to these two pretty well and it's not very long! Anyways, please review!
Enjoy!

Friends, Part Two

She waits inside his office patiently, placing a small parcel on his desk, she notes how much it has changed since the last time she was here. She smiles, as the changes seem to be mostly for the better. She spots a small pile of books on the corner of the desk; each with a hand-written note. She recognises Sakura's handwriting, and how each note is signed with a heart. The windowsill is littered with plants; she seems some as medicinal, other as decoration.

She turns as the door opens behind her, and her red-headed friend smiles when he sees her. It feels as if her worries have blown away with the desert sand. She can't help herself; and hugs him even though she knows he hates hit. He tenses for a moment, then returns the gesture and she takes this as a sign to pull away.

"Welcome back, Hinata" he says, and she suddenly feels a grin on her face. She had gotten close to Gaara when she was stationed at the camp west of Suba during the war. They found it very easy to get along, and enjoyed the simple serenity of each other's company as they poured over paperwork. They got to know each other very well; though it was all completely platonic

They sit on the small sofa and she doesn't miss a beat before she attacks him with questions about Sakura. He doesn't say much, and it bothers her. She loves them both, and wants them to be happy. She wonders whether he is just... shy. So she enquires about the plants;

"Ah... " He ponders. "Sakura brings them in here, something about the room being a good climate for them?"

Hinata smiles, Sakura often left different types of plants and flowers in their friends' home; rambling on about humidity and sunlight. Hinata's own bedroom was filled with succulents bursting with colour's she didn't know they could even have. She pushes her friend for more information.

"And the books?" She asks.

"Oh..." She swears she sees him blush a little. "She likes to read and... leaves me books she thinks I'll like."

"And do you?"

A smile tugs at the corner of of his lips, "Yes... she has good taste. They're a good distraction from being Kazekage."

She smiles at him again; at least they have something in common. She remembers the parcel she brought. "Hey!" She jumps from her seat to fetch it. "I have something for you!" She unwraps the brown paper packaging, and from the corner of her eye she sees his face light up.

"Cookies." This was their respite during the war. She would often do small favours or make trades to find the ingredients around camp. One time, her favourite pair of panties were lost in a transaction for some chocolate chips. Though it was worth it to see his face.

She picks one to hand to him; then changes her mind and promptly stuffs it in his mouth. The interaction shocks him; and he bursts with laughter.

They spend the next hour or two chatting and eating cookies, and she doesn't forget to continue to tentatively brooch the subject that is his wife.