GAARA'S P.O.V

I stared down at Rin and saw fear, curiosity, and want in her forest green and scarlet speckled eyes.

'I love her, but I have no idea if she feels the same.'

'Then kiss her and find out.'

Shukaku said and I sighed inwardly.

'Didn't you leave?'

I asked and heard him laugh before I felt his end of our connection cut off. As much as I hate to admit it that would probably be the best way to find out how she feels.

I couldn't help but blush slightly at my thoughts, but I wanted to know how she felt. No, I needed to know. I took a calming breath before leaning forward. I froze when I heard her gasp, but when she didn't pull away I pressed my lips to hers. She didn't respond at first and I thought I'd been wrong in thinking there was anything between us and started to pull away when I felt her arms wrap around my neck and she deepened the kiss. I nipped at her bottom lip, asking for entrance and she opened for me. I slipped my tongue inside and explored. She tasted of honey and a bit of cinnamon.

"Hey Gaara, has Rin woken up….yet?"

Temari asked and we both pulled away. I turned to my sister and glared at her, but I couldn't help but smile a little when I saw Rin was blushing.

"Sorry, I can come back another time."
She said heading for the door, but I stopped her.

"No, that's alright. Rin just woke up and I'm sure she'd like something to eat and some time to freshen up."

I said, before turning to Rin who nodded.

"Okay. Rin, can you stand on your own or do you need help?"

Temari asked and Rin shook her head.

"No, I think I got it."

She said before she swung her legs over the side of the couch and stood up. She wobbled a bit, but I caught her with my sand. She blushed when her eyes caught mine, then Temari helped her out of the room.

Once I was sure they were gone I laid my head back and sighed with a smile on my face.

"So I take it she likes you back then little brother."

Kankuro said as he walked into the room. I growled at him, but didn't move. I heard him laugh before the couch dipped beside me.

"Honestly, it's about time."

He said and that made me look at him confused.

"Oh please, it's been obvious you two have had feelings for each other for a while now. You can tell just by the feel of the atmosphere whenever you two are in the same room."

He said and I sighed. I honestly didn't care anymore, nothing could ruin my mood at the moment.

"Lord Gaara, we need you to go over these papers an-"

I spoke too soon. I growled at the council as they walked into the room. Kankuro tried to get them to leave, but they wouldn't listen. I read over the papers and signed them, then sighed when the council left. Once the door was closed Kankuro turned to me.

"So, what are you going to do now that you know how she feels about you?"

He asked and I looked at him.

"I'm not sure. I don't think I can do much considering what she just went through."
I said and heard Kankuro hmm in response.

"Well, I guess all you can do is wait it out."

He said and I sighed.

"It's alright Gaara, she's safe here."

Kankuro said and I just stared at the ceiling.

"Yeah, but what will happen once she goes back to Konoha? Then what?"

I asked and heard Kankuro start to say something before stopping. Finally he said something that I'd never expect to hear from Kankuro. It was actually something smart.

"I'm not sure. It'll be her choice whether she stays there or not. Though if I were you, I'd give her one hell of a reason to stay here."

He said before leaving.

RIN'S P.O.V

"So, you and Gaara finally hit it off I see."

Temari said as she helped me into the shower. I blushed, glad she wasn't able to see me through the curtain.

"I-I-I…"

I started but couldn't finish. I heard Temari laugh and blushed even more.

"Don't worry about it Rin. To be honest it's about damn time you two hooked up. It's been painful to see Gaara mope around whenever we get back here. Those two weeks we were in Konoha there were times where'd he get halfway to the door of our apartment before stopping and turning back around. I think he wanted to go see you, but couldn't bring himself to do so."

Temari said and I smiled as I pictured him doing just that.

"And just now, I saw a look in his eyes that I've never seen before."

Temari said and I thought about the love I saw in Gaara's eyes and couldn't help but smile knowing it was meant for me.

I quickly washed the blood from my body and hair, then Temari helped me out of the shower. We walked into her room and she tossed me some clothes. She sat on the bed as I pulled on the fish-net leggings and shirt, then pulled on a pair of black booty shorts and an off the shoulder gray halter top.

"I only ask one thing."

Temari said as I started to brush my hair. I stopped and looked at her expectantly.

"Don't hurt him, and don't ever leave him."

She said and I blushed before I continued to brush my hair.

"I'll do my best."

I said and heard her sigh.

"I guess that's all I can really ask for. Come on, I can already tell Gaara wants to see you again."

She said and laughed when I blushed.

She led the way down the hall and opened the door for me. I walked inside and when I looked at Gaara I saw his eyes widen and couldn't help but blush. I heard both Temari and Kankuro laugh before they left, leaving me alone with Gaara. I heard him get up from the couch and I kept my eyes on the floor.

'Why am I so nervous around him? It was never like this before.'

I thought, but then I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt Gaara's arms wrap around my waist. He tilted my head up, forcing me to look at him.

"Hey, are you alright?"

He asked and I looked at the concern in his teal colored eyes and relaxed.

'There's no reason to be nervous around him. I love him, and he loves me and that's all that matters.'

I thought before I smiled up at him.

"Yeah, I was just thinking."

I said and saw him smile.

"About what?"

He asked as he brought his head closer to mine. I felt my heart speed up and I tried to keep from blushing.

"About how people back in Konoha will react when they learn I've been found."

I said and felt his aura flare before he reigned it in.

"You don't have to worry about that for a while. You can go back when you want, no one's forcing you."

He said with a smile before pressing his lips to mine again. What I was about to say was lost the moment his lips touched mine.

He pulled away and I laid my head against his shoulder trying to get my breathing under control.

"Can I just….stay here for a little while?"

I asked after a few minutes of silence. I heard him laugh before he tightened his arms around me and hugged me close.

"You can stay here as long as you want."

He said and I sighed in content and just enjoyed the feel of being in Gaara's arms.