"Gaara…" Temari had rolled over in her bed to see the pale form of her younger brother standing in her doorway, illuminated by the full moon. "What are you doing here," he usually just sat on the roof all night, fending off Shukaku's presence.

"T-Temari," he responded, his face remaining all the same.

"What is it? What do you wan't," Temari looked at him, standing perfectly still without emotion or visible life. "Brother?"

"Temari… please."

She looked in his eyes, they were utterly blank, even more than usual. She never felt odd around Gaara before, but now was different. He never slept, but never seemed exhausted, now was different. Gaara's eyes were lifeless and his body hung limp, in contrast to his normal rigid state.

Temari got up, worried for her little brother and approached him. His face, or more only his eyes followed her as she approached. Upon reaching him by the door her face contorted with sadness and a trickle of salty fluid ran down her supple cheek.

"Baby brother…" she sniffed as the two of them stood there. "Why Gaara, why do you have to be this way?" she felt her knees tremble and grabbed his pale motionless shoulders for support. Cold to the touch but perfectly smooth Gaara's skin offered no support.

"T-Tem-Temari, I… I… I'm s-s-sorry."

She peered into his eyes, still without a human soul behind them, "No, baby brother," she put her hand over his mouth, absent of warm breath, "it's not your fault… I'm sorry…"

"Temari…" his eyes broke the stare. For the first time in his life since he left his uncle he felt an emotion. The Kanji of love on his forehead began to ache as his sister held her hand to his lips. Her touch was very warm and comforting, Gaara had always felt the most secure when near his big sister. "Temari… I-I want to sleep…" he spoke beneath her hand, "I feel safe with you… I-I I love you, big sister."

Temari's eyes widened, not at what her brother spoke, though very strange coming from his pallid lips but how he spoke. His voice was for once unsure of what it produced, unsure but caring. She was shocked that he produced an emotion that a human could understand, itcheered her slightly and she wrapped her soft warm arms around him.

With Temari's face pressed against his Gaara uttered once more, "I love you,"

It could have been years before Temari let go of her little brother and led him to the bed. She patted the mattress when she had moved the covers away, Gaara moved to sit, not remembering how a bed worked. Temari placed her warm hand on her brother's bare, cold chest and pressed him down, organizing the blankets around him.

Gaara still simply faced the ceiling his eyes unblinking and still. "Its not perfect, baby brother, but it's a start," Temari whispered into Gaara's ear as she put an arm around him and pressed her soft features into his cold shoulder wiping away the tears.