Secret From the Past

Pairing: GaaHina

Rating: T

Summary: Memories of the past of the first friend soon to be first love.

A/N: This is also posted on my dA account. If you would like to see my dA account please check the link on my FF page.

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The sound of the heart monitor is the only noise that could be heard in the silent hospital room. Lavender eyes stared blankly up at the white ceiling. Her mind traveled to the incident that had taken place four days prior, her fight with her cousin, Hyuuga Neji.

If it weren't for the others stepping in to stop the fight she wouldn't have made it out alive. Neji would have killed her.

Sighing, Hinata struggled to sit up in the uncomfortable bed. Her father visited her the day she was admitted. He showed his disappointment in her lose and hasn't been back to visit her since. Though her teammates have visited her everyday so far, but she could always see the pity lurking behind Kiba's eyes and the sympathetic words that came from Shino.

She didn't want pity. She just wanted to be acknowledged.

Luckily, Naruto had acknowledged her. It had been the greatest moment of her life. To be noticed by the one you love. It gave her to strength not to give up. A smile graced her features at the thought of the blonde.

The sound of the door creaking opened disturbed her from her thoughts. The nurses came in routinely to check on her. They are probably coming to give her medicine.

Her eyes widened in fear at the person who stood at the door. It was the last person she expected to ever come in contact with. What could he possible want with her? From what she could remember his name is Gaara. Could he be here to kill her?

He took slow attentive steps inside the room, closing the door behind himself. His emerald eyes gazed in a curious fashion at the Hyuuga. Standing at the foot of the bed, he continued watching her.

Taking a deep breath she pushed herself to speak. "W-What do you want?" The twelve year old asked.

Gaara remained silent for a few moments, quietly observing her. "Why didn't you just give up?"

Her brows raised in question. "E-Excuse me?"

"In the preliminaries, why didn't you just give up? You didn't stand a chance." He stated. Gaara was confused by her actions that day, ever since he hasn't been able to get the girl out of his mind. Something about her made his insides stir, and he didn't know why. It bothered him not to understand what he was feeling.

Realizing that she has yet to answer, a frown sketched its way to his face. "Why didn't you give up?" Gaara asked once more.

"I wanted to prove myself to everyone that I'm not weak. Though I was scared to fight him, even Kiba-kun told me to forfeit if I had to fight him." A self-loathing smile appeared on her face. "Neji-niisan is someone important to me but he no longer views me as the same anymore due to a family incident. Giving up wasn't a choice, not when the person I admired was watching." She blushed lightly.

Gaara let her words sink in. Judging from what she spoke, this Hyuuga appears to be pure at heart. Someone like her isn't fit to be a ninja, but she seems to be striving for acknowledgment from those around her. In a way, she reminded him of the blonde who called himself Uzumaki Naruto.

"People such as you shouldn't be a ninja. You are too kindhearted, lacking the will to hate and to kill. That is something all ninja should have." He spoke monotonously.

Hinata shook her head. "That's not true. You don't have hatred in your heart. Hatred w-will get you nowhere. Once hatred consumes a person's heart it can turn them into someone they are not. It is true that I am a pacifist and I have my morals when it comes to killing, but if it comes down to protecting myself and those who I care about I am willing to step up to my duty as a ninja." She proclaimed.

The red head seemed surprised by her statement. He could see the determination within her lavender irises. "You are different." He spoke with uncertainty. The fear that lurked her eyes when he first approached her bed is now gone. It felt different to have someone look at him as a person and not of fear because of the monster inside him. But this girl doesn't know what is inside of him. If she did, would she be just like the others?

"W-Why are you—" She began violently coughing, alarming Gaara as blood splattered from her mouth unto her hand.

Gaara could feel his gourd shaking, sand began oozing out. The sight of blood always did this to him. He wanted to see more. It was her blood that had enrolled excitement coursing through his veins during the exam days ago. "Your blood…" He murmured, slowly approaching the coughing Hyuuga.

Standing over her bedside, he stared sinisterly down at her. The sand hovered over her bed, inching closer towards her. He wanted her blood. His thirst to kill was starting to overtake him.

Only seconds away from suffocating her with his sand, the door flung opened revealing the two males he recognized as her teammates along with a nurse.

"Hinata!" Kiba shouted. His dark eyes glared daggers at Gaara, while Shino stood coolly by his side but appeared to be just as angry as the rowdy one.

"Excuse me, but just what you think you are doing! No one is permitted to visit Hyuuga-san." The nurse scolded.

Gaara ignored the three, turning his attention back to Hinata, who had stopped coughing. Their eyes locked briefly. He didn't understand why, but his stomach felt weird. Almost as if butterflies were fluttering around his stomach. Gaara's sand slowly retreated back into its gourd.

Kiba growled. "What do you think you're doing in here? If you're here to hurt her, I won't hesitant to attack." Akamaru barked, agreeing with its master.

The nurse grimaced in annoyance. "Now listen here, will everyone just calm down. This is a hospital, not a fighting ring! Hyuuga-san isn't well and with all this commotion it won't help her get any better. Now all of you get out. She needs her rest!" She pointed her slender finger towards the doorway. Her green eyes gleamed in anger.

Kiba grunted, as Shino stood in silence. "I'm not leaving into this weirdo leaves first."

Hinata sighed. "Kiba-kun, it's okay. I'll be f-fine." She reassured him.

Gaara turned, making his way out of the room without a word. Once he left the nurse gave Kiba and Shino a pointed look, pushing them out of the room forcefully.

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Temari tensed as the door slide open revealing Gaara. Without saying a word the young male made his wide towards the other side of the room, leaning against the wall. "Where did you go, Gaara?" She asked curiously. Lately her brother has been acting strangely. Kankurou thinks it has something to do with the odd looking boy he fought, named Lee. He probably has been itching to kill him since that day.

"It's none of your business." He spoke venomously.

Kankurou scowled. "You can't just go wandering off in this village. We are guest and if you were to do anything reckless we'll all have to pay for it." He scolded Gaara.

The redhead stared blankly at Kankurou. "Do you wish to die?"

The older male gulped, unable to speak. "G-Gaara…" Not wanting to unleash the rage within Gaara, Kankurou remained silent.

Gaara sat in peace, letting his mind wander to the blue haired female.

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It's been two weeks since Gaara's visit. From what she has been told from Kiba, today marks the day of the chunin exams. Kiba was supposed to meet her once she was released from hospital but he never came. On her way to the where the exams were being held she ran into an unlikely person. "I-It's you…" She whispered.

Temari arched her brow as did Kankurou. Both siblings looked down at their younger brother. "Gaara, do you know this girl? She appears to be Hyuuga with those white eyes." The face painter commented.

"Temari, Kankurou, leave us." He ordered.

Just as Kankurou was getting ready to object, Temari raised her hand. "Let's go." She grabbed the collar of the older male. Though she has a tough exterior, Temari is still a girl and could tell something was brewing up within Gaara judging from the look in his eyes as he watched the Hyuuga.

"Temari, wait a second!" Kankurou yelled as he was being dragged off.

Gaara never removed his hues from Hinata's frame. "I didn't get your name."

Hinata gasped. "My name is Hin-Hinata. Hyuuga Hinata." She bowed, a blush forming on her porcelain cheeks.

"Hinata…" He let her name roll off his tongue. Looking up she was surprised to see the girl was no longer standing feet away but inches from him. No one has ever tried to get this close to him before. It didn't feel right.

"What about you? What is your name?" She asked, though she has heard of his name, she wanted a formal introduction from the red head.

Gaara's hues widened. "You want to know my name?"

Hinata nodded. "W-Why wouldn't I?" She tilted her head to the side, confused by his question. "I thought that…maybe you could use a friend."

"You want to be my friend?" She nodded once more. His heart stopped. She actually wanted to be friends with a monster like him? He didn't understand. Everything in the past few weeks have been confusing for him and she's the cause of it. "Why would you want to be friends with a monster? I can easily kill you."

"Your eyes…display loneness. Everyone deserves a friend and you a-are no exception to that. I will admit that I was fearful of you, but I realized that I needed to push a-aside my fears." She extended a shaky hand. "W-What do you say?"

He stared down at her fair skinned hand. Gaara didn't know how to react to a situation like this. He has never had a friend before but this girl…she is initiating a friendship. She wants to form a bond with him. Awkwardly, Gaara raised his hand eloping it inside hers. Her hand felt soft, almost like velvet. Looking up at her, he was taken by a surprise at seeing her bright smile.

She really is something—

"Kazekage-sama, are you paying attention?"

Gaara lifted his head. "I'm sorry." He spoke in a daze. He has been having that same memory for the past few days now. Memories of his first friend have been plaguing his mind. "What were you saying?"

Baki sighed. "You've been spacing out more often Gaara. Is there something on your mind?"

"It's nothing. There is something I must attend, excuse me." Gaara walked past the older man. Reaching outside his office he bumped into the person he had just been thinking about.

"A-Ah, Kazekage-sama!" She stumbled back, regaining her footing.

Over the years, she has grown noticeably beautiful. Her hair no longer cut in the hime style, but is kept down her back. She has also physically grown body wise. If he were someone else he would be drooling over her shape but he acts indifferent as to not to reveal any indecent thoughts he tends to have of his friend.

"I've told you many times before you do not have to call me by my title." He said.

Hinata blushed, looking down at the floor. "I-I'm sorry, Gaara."

A rare small smile appeared. "It's fine." He began walking knowing that she would follow suit. "What are you doing here?"

"W-Well I wanted to visit you before my team and I head home." She smiled, fiddling with her thumbs.

"Kazekage-sama!"

Gaara and Hinata turned around to see Matsuri running towards them. Her face was flushed as she stood in front of the Kazekage. "I've been looking all over for you." Her black hues landed on Hinata. "Oh…I didn't realize you were here." Matsuri pouted.

Hinata smiled awkwardly. "Hello, Matsuri-san."

The brown haired girl nodded in recognition. "Hello, Hinata-san. Kazekage-sama, I was wonder…if you aren't too busy you might be able to train me?" She asked hopefully.

Hinata knew that Matsuri had feelings for Gaara. Though she wasn't too sure if Gaara has realized it or not. The girl would always watch him with the same admiration she would have whenever looking at Naruto.

"Forgive me, but today is Hinata's last day here in the Suna and I would like to spend my time with her."

Matsuri gaped, clearly not expecting that response. "R-Right, I should take my leave now." She nodded to Hinata making her way pass them.

Hinata's brows furrowed down. "You could have trained with her. It looked like she really wanted to spend her time with you."

"I know, but it's not every day I get to see you." He smiled.

She blushed. "G-Gaara, do you remember when we first met?"

He nodded. "You were such a weird girl, confusing my mind. I was happy to have you as my first friend." Gaara took a step closer corner her against the wall, startling the Hyuuga. "You're the first person who I truly cared for. The first person that I am willing to risk my life for…" His green hues trailed down to her lips. "The first person…I fell in love with."

Hinata gasped. "L-Love?" Did he really love her? She searched his eyes for any falseness but found nothing but the truth.

"I've loved you for quite some time now, but I never intended on confessing. I couldn't hold it in any longer. Do you feel the same?"

Her heart pulsated. Gaara held a special place in her heart. Over the years, her love for the blond had faltered into just admiration. In replace, she started looking in Gaara from a different light. When he became the Kazekage, she had been so proud of him. Being the leader of an entire village brought about a lot of work, but he made sure to write her whenever he has the chance.

Gaara became her rock. The one she looked to whenever she needed a shoulder to cry on. Despite his hardened appearance, he is a very kind and caring guy. She had come to love him before she even realized what hit her.

"I do." She replied, caressing his cheek gently.

Gaara observed Hinata briefly as he slowly lowered his head, pressing his lips against hers. It amazed him to have such a sweet and innocent friend such as her. His first friend…and first love.