RIN'S P.O.V

I moved and froze when I felt something wrapped around me. I slowly opened my eyes and started to freak out until I saw the ends of red hair. I felt Gaara's aura around me and instantly calmed down. I heard even breathing and realized he was asleep.

'Hmm, I think this is the first time I've seen him sleep.'

I thought with a smile before snuggling closer to him. He was warm, and I felt safe with his arms around me.

Suddenly flashes of what happened back in the cave filled my mind and I whimpered. Was Orochimaru really dead? Or was he going to come back for me? I felt tears stinging my eyes and heard Gaara's breathing pick up, indicating he was awake. I buried my face into his chest and couldn't help but let the tears fall down my face.

"Rin?"

Gaara asked sleepily before he tightened his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.

"Shh, it's okay. He's gone, he can't hurt you ever again. Shhh, I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere."

He whispered softly in my ear as he held me close. I calmed down knowing that I was safe in Gaara's arms and wiped my tears before pulling back so I could see his face.

His teal colored eyes were full of concern and I smiled up at him weakly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

I said and he shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. Never let me sleep if you need something. You can always come to me for anything."

He said and I nodded. He brushed my hair back and tucked it behind my ear.

"He…He's dead, right?"

I asked after a while. I wouldn't be able to fully calm down until I was certain he wouldn't be waiting for me to let my guard down. I felt Gaara's aura flare, but he quickly reigned it in, but I could still see the anger in his teal eyes.

"Yes, he's dead."

He said and I sighed in relief before burying my face in his chest again.

"Thank you Gaara."

I said and felt him tense.

"For what? You were kidnapped by that bastard and he almost…."

He trailed off when I shivered.

"But he didn't thanks to you."

I said and snuggled closer to him. He sighed before tightening his hold on me.

"I was afraid I'd be too late."

He said and I froze. I didn't know that Gaara cared so much.

'Of course he does little one, he loves you.'

Kitsana said to me through our link and I smiled in my mind.

'Your back!'

I said and heard her laugh.

'Yes little one, I'm back.'

She said and I smiled into Gaara's chest, then remembered what Kitsana had just said.

'What do you mean he loves me? How do you know that?'

I asked and saw her smile and her tail rose and fell behind her.

'Shu and I talk, and believe me little one, he loves you. Question is, do you love him?'

Kitsana asked and I thought about it. When I first met him I thought he looked kinda cute, and when I found out he could actually fight I instantly liked him. Then, once I joined the ANBU and learned a little of his past I felt like I could connect with him. When I found him and his siblings on the mission I'd been sent on to deal with the Akatsuki after two years I couldn't help but smile when I saw him. And I noticed how much he'd changed a bit. Then, when we fought in the training grounds, he trusted me enough to let Shukaku out of his cage and when I learned the truth behind his past and realized it was like mine I felt like I had finally found someone who understood me. Someone who understood what I'd gone through. When I told Shukaku I wouldn't let him be alone I hadn't just said it to get him to go back into his cage, I had actually meant it. Then, when he kissed me on the forehead my heart wouldn't slow down until long after the training session with the ANBU. I couldn't get him out of my head. Those two weeks where he practically avoided me almost killed me. During the whole episode with Orochimaru I didn't care what happened to me as long as I wasn't forced to have sex with him. Then, at the last minute when I screamed the one person who crossed my mind was Gaara, and then to see him pulling Orochimaru away from me and protecting me. There are no words to describe what I felt. And when I woke up and started to freak out until I realized I was with Gaara, the fact that I was with him made me feel safe.

My eyes widened as I realized what Kitsana already seemed to know.

'Oh my God Kitsana, I love him. I love Gaara.'

I said and saw her smile.

'You finally figured it out. Now, what are you going to do about it little one?'

She asked and I froze.

'I…I don't know. I'm not even sure if he wants to be with me.'

I said and heard Kitsana sigh.

'Then find out little one. I'm leaving.'

She said and I was gonna say something, but I felt her aura separate from mine and then she landed in the floor behind me. I saw a white light and then heard another set of paws hit the floor beside Kitsana. It took me a while before I realized it was Shukaku.

'Where are you going?'

I wondered and heard Kitsana laugh.

'It doesn't matter where we're going little one, you should focus on what you want to happen now.'

Kitsana said before I felt both her and Shukaku's auras disappear. I sighed before pulling back from Gaara and looked him in the eyes. I tried to sit up and Gaara moved so I'd have some room. I tried to stand up, but fell back. I felt Gaara's arms wrap around me again as he pulled be back towards him. I felt my back press against his stomach and sighed. I never realized how much I liked being in Gaara's presence until now.

"Rin."

He said in a soft voice and I turned to look at him. My eyes widened when I saw the amount of emotions in his usually blank teal colored eyes. Worry, concern, curiosity, and one I wasn't used to seeing in anyone's eyes, love.