The Mirror

I am back again and I want to say a big thank you to those who are sticking with me through this journey. Your feedback means the world to me and is my biggest source of motivation to post. Seriously, the only reason I finally posted my last chapter was the overwhelming guilt from all the sweet reviews. So bring on the guilt trip.

Gaara closed his eyes, exhausted after nearly losing control; he knew the beast wouldn't let him sleep but he could stand to rest his eyes for the night while he meditated. He knew from past experience it would take some time for the tremors and headache to subside- not like he had any time constraints, she wouldn't return after tonight. He was so focused on his breathing he almost missed the small sound that signaled something was approaching. Probably a sand mouse. Moments later another scuffle had him sitting up, the sand shifting slightly around him as it sensed his restlessness.

"He-hello?" A soft voice called out.

Shit. He had been so caught up in preventing a panic attack he hadn't noticed when she climbed the rocks. But why would she? Gaara tensed, frantically looking for a way around the curvy shape standing in front of his alcove without actually making contact with her. He watched as she peered into the darkness with uncertainty. He wondered why she hadn't activated her byakugan when she called out again.

"Please come out."

He saw her hands come up and tensed as he waited for her to form the signs for a jutsu, likely to force him from hiding. He wouldn't hurt her. Couldn't hurt her, no matter the screaming in his head. But no, she wasn't forming signs, she was tapping her fingers together nervously. He felt some of the tightness leave his chest at the gesture; she wasn't angry with him, she was just nervous. But why? She shifted so that her back was against the boulder hiding his alcove.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to anger you."

She was sorry? How could she be sorry? He was the one that had screamed at her, who had pushed her away. He could recognize it was an innocent inquiry but he couldn't risk her knowing who he was it was an innocent inquiry about his brother but he couldn't risk her knowing who he is. No, he had gained far too much through her visits for her to see his true self and flee. His head gave a throb of pain and he let out a small groan.

"Are you okay?"

Her kindness would end as soon as she learned who he was.

"Leave me alone. Now." He was close to begging as the pain and tremors increased. "Don't come back. Not tonight. I don't want to hurt you." His voice gradually trailed off until he was whispering.

There was a pause and he tensed, feeling the last strings of control tighten and fray. Leave. Listen to me. Leave. LEAVE! He urged her in his mind over the raging monster. After what felt like an age, he felt her turn away and he relaxed slightly, watching her turn her back to him. Fool! He flinched at the renewed ranting in his head before her soft voice snapped him back to attention.

"For what its worth, I trust you not to hurt me."

He felt like she slapped him across the face, his mind and the monster quieted for a moment but even if he wanted to call her back, it was too late. She was gone.

Hinata ran. Her hair streamed behind her and she fought tears as she left the hurting man and rocky outcropping behind. Despite the covered face, Hinata could see the his pain clearly reflected in his eyes as if he was stripped bare before her. She placed her own reasons for running to the desert behind her and focused on her masked phantom as she slowed. She wanted to help him, she wanted to take some of that pain from him, to carry some of his burden just as he had lightened her own over the past months.

What had happened to turn him into a mostly mute recluse? He obviously had a brother who cared for him and he had never tried to hurt her, despite his protests tonight. Hinata couldn't help but think there was so much more to the masked man that she wished to uncover. For the first time in years, she felt it was a good thing her father hadn't recalled her home. With Neji gone and several senior members with themhim, it would be easier for her to visit the oasis. Maybe if she approached during the day it would feel less like a dream and more reality, like similar to the first day she found him. There was something ethereal about nighttime meetings, during the day it was harder to hide behind pretty movements and clouded thoughts.

Mind made up, she slipped back into the compound and into her room. Tenten was breathing deeply in her bed and Hinata was careful to undress quietly before slipping under her covers quiet as a mouse. She was just starting to drift off to sleep when she jumped violently at a voice.

"I know you've been sneaking out."

"Tenten-chan! You… I thought… But…" Hinata sat up and hung her head, "Yes."

The other bed creaked as Tenten sat up as well. "Do you want to talk about it? You know, it's been really hard to cover for you with Neji but maybe it would help you to tell me what's going on and me to keep your cousin from finding out."

"You-You are right," Hinata replied quietly, fingers poking together. "Several months ago, I found an oasis in the desert. I… I have been returning when things get too stressful here."

"An oasis? Hinata-chan, why keep it to yourself? If you told everyone, there would be no trouble for us to visit together!" Hinata's horror grew as her roommate kept talking.

"N-no!" Tenten blinked as Hinata waved her arms wildly, "It's not that I don't want to share it, but I can't!"

"Is there a settlement there you've been sneaking by?"

"No!"

"A house? A guard? Suna should have told us with it being so near the outpost!"

"It's just a person!" Hinata cried finally, "Just one man. He lives in a cave by the oasis." She hung her head.

"You've been visiting a man?" Tenten asked incredulously.

Hinata felt a warm blush cover her face, "It isn't like that. We talk… Well I talk, he just listens. He's… very quiet."

A smirk crept over the weapon mistress's face. "Is he hot?"

"Eh?" Hinata squeaked, the warmth of the blush spreading down her neck. "I-I would, wouldn't know. He keeps his face covered. I don't even know how old he is!"

"Oh come on Hinata! You have to have some other reason for making friends with a perfect stranger in the middle of nowhere than just someone to talk to. And is any of his face uncovered? What does his voice sound like? I bet its sexy if you keep going back for… just talk." Tenten finished with a wink.

Hinata was on fire. A red, embarrassed fire. "I-I can see his eyes. They're green. And he is mute most of the time."

"What color green?"

"Does it matter?" Her roommate's silent stare confirmed that it did indeed matter. Hinata sighed, "They are a jade green, though they look almost blue in the sunlight."

"And his voice?"

"Tenten-chan! Can we please let this go?"

Tenten shrugged, "I'm just trying to build a good mental picture. He has to be someone special to risk Raido-sama and Neji's anger."

Was he special? Yes. Somehow, he had become one of Hinata's precious people which was why she couldn't let tonight ruin their friendship, one-sided as it may be.

"He… has become dear to me. But I know he has a problem with people, I don't know why. I think we are making progress. At least I hope we are." Her fingers were fidgeting again and she mentally chastised herself for the outward show of weakness.

"Good."

"Good?"

Tenten nodded and moved to lay back down.

"Is that all you have to say on the matter?" Hinata asked in disbelief.

"You are stronger than either you or Neji thinks. I know you can take care of yourself if this mystery man becomes a problem but from the sounds of it, I am just happy you have found happiness here in the desert. Don't worry, I'll keep your secret. Just promise to talk to me if you get in over your head." Tenten glanced over and seemed content with Hinata's nod. "Honestly, I thought you may have a secret thing for Kankuro. He's supposed to visit tomorrow."

Hinata didn't react to the subtle jab at her relationship with the face painted ninja, she was already planning a way to get him alone to talk to him about the man by the pool; she was certain he had more information to share than a ghost story by the campfire. She would make him tell her, one way or another.

The next day found Hinata on guard duty until late afternoon. Most days it was a bother to pass time in the sun watching the still desert but today she was thankful for the chance to think about her phantom and how to address the topic with Kankuro later. Something had been niggling in the back of her mind since she had woken awoken. For some reason, she feltand he was the key to the phantom's identity. Her dreams last night had been filled with random images from her youth, namely the chuunin exams when she first met the puppeteer.

Hinata thought back to the last memories she had in Konoha. She missed Kiba and Shino; they were a great team for the first challenges of the rigorous exams, even against more seasoned genin. Times had changed drastically: Kankuro was the go between for the border outpost and Suna, Temari was the ambassador to Konoha, and Gaara was… Well, she wasn't sure what Gaara was doing. He had given her nightmares with his sand burial for weeks…

Hinata felt like she had been hit with a chidori. Gaara and his sand. Could he be the phantom? Hinata couldn't recall the color of his eyes all those years ago -, she had been far too intimidated - but he had the ability to manipulate sand. She assumed it was a common release for the shinobi of Suna but of all the foreign nin that passed through the outpost, none of them had the ability.

Oh Kami! Hinata shuddered, thinking back to the raw power the redheaded boy had demonstrated. She didn't see how he would be able to form the sand into such delicate patterns and whimsical shapes but from what she knew, Kankuro cared deeply for his siblings. Enough to trek out into the desert every couple months or so and to bring him supplies and company.

The bluenette shook her head, she was getting too far ahead of herself. First she would talk to Kankuro and see if he did indeed know more about her phantom. If it turned out to be Gaara then she would cross that bridge when she came to it. Does it change how you feel about him? Hinata asked herself. After another hour of thinking she still didn't have an answer.

Wind gently moved dark blue hair as Hinata stood at the gates staring into the desert. She had volunteered to meet Kankuro as the compound representative and it seemed Tenten wasn't the only one who thought there was something going on between her and the Suna nin as Raido had agreed with a not so subtle wink and a "go get 'em." Honestly, just because she was nice to him didn't mean there was anything going on. After what happened with Naruto, Hinata was reluctant to give her heart away again when she had no control over whether or not she would be able to stay with her chosen love.

"Byakugan!"

She scanned the desert for what felt like the hundredth time in the past two hours, but this time her eyes picked up the unwieldly shape of a nin moving with a weight on his back. At last. Hinata sprinted toward Kankuro, eager to reach him and have some time to talk before they were surrounded by keen-eared shinobi who were getting bored. A dangerous thing indeed.

"Hinata-chan!"

Hinata found herself wrapped up in an enthusiastic hug as he spun her in a circle.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes Hinata-chan! Are you ready for more ghost stories around the campfire, eh? I have some good ones."

"Actually, Kankuro-kun, that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Just not at the compound where we could be overheard."

The tall nin looked surprised before a slightly guarded expression stole across his face. "Did you go back to the oasis?" Every time he had asked over the past months, Hinata always denied returning or changed the subject but now she had to know more.

"Who is he?" She asked, ducking her head.

"A myth."

"Please, Kankuro-kun! I think I may have hurt him and I want to fix it." She spoke quietly but he had no trouble hearing her; he turned away and started to walk to the compound in the rapidly darkening evening when Hinata reached out and grabbed his hand.

"Please," she whispered.

"You must have some idea who he is."

Hinata nodded and averted her eyes as they reached the gates. Kankuro left her to check in with Raido and she retreated to her room.

Hinata was startled from a nap by a knock at the door.

"Yes?" She called, stretching.

The door opened and Kankuro hesitantly entered the room.

"Oh, Kankuro-kun! I want to apologize for earlier…" Hinata trailed off as he sat next to her with a sigh.

Kankuro glanced at her from the corner of his eye, "How would you like to get away from the compound for a few days?"

"Get away? I would need a mission for that." She saw an amused glint in his eye, "What did you do?"

"Eh, I may have suggested I could use another pair of eyes while I go check out a group of desert nomads that recently moved into the area."

She sent him a skeptical look, "And where exactly are these nomads?"

"Well, more like a single nomad. And he isn't exactly recent to the area."

"Kankuro-kun! You lied about a mission?"

"It is a mission of sorts for me. You see, I have a precious person who needs help and I think you can get through to him better than me if you weren't always rushing off before someone here notices you missing."

"Your brother." It wasn't a question as to whom she was talking about.

He grunted and stood, "Pack a bag Hinata, we'll meet at the gate in 30."

Hinata and Kankuro were halfway to the phantom, no, Gaara's, outcropping, and the nighttime run had been mercifully silent after the first few kilometers. She was thankful, it gave her more time to think about what she could say once they arrived, not to mention Kankuro's tendency to tease became tiring for the soft-spoken girl. Unfortunately for her, the quiet didn't last quite long enough.

"So Hinata-chan, care to tell me why Raido thinks we're an item?"

Her skin went from white to red in the blink of an eye, "Kan-Kankuro-kun!" She squeaked, covering her face as her companion laughed. Hinata already missed the silence.

"Don't worry, I won't tell my brother your secret." He winked and Hinata did her best to breathe through her blush; it would do no good to show up to the outcropping looking like a tomato. She wasn't sure when she had started caring what she looked like when she would visit but Hinata was surprised the feeling hadn't changed now that she knew his identity. It was obvious he had changed since the chuunin exams and she was looking forward to getting to know him as the man he was now.

Finally the rocks came into view and Hinata tried to calm her racing heart, beating out of nerves more than the run as they slowed. "Here you go, Hinata-chan." Kankuro hefted the satchel he was carrying from his shoulder onto her own.

"Wha- what are you doing, Kankuro-kun?" Hinata stammered, staggering under the weight.

"I am going home for the next couple days while you are going to fix whatever it is happened between my brother and you without having to run back to the compound. I'll be back in a couple days to keep our cover at the compound. Take care with the bag, you wouldn't want to squish his rations. Later Hinata-chan!" Kankuro leapt away from the stammering kunoichi before she had a chance to stutter out a full reply.

Hinata stood frozen for a heartbeat, then two, as she processed exactly what he had done. He had basically given her a vacation from the compound in exchange for fixing his brother whom she had unknowingly made friends with over the past months. The same person who attacked Konoha and fought against Naruto, the same man who had given her nightmares for weeks, and now she was expected to have a campout with him until Kankuro came to collect her like the weak little girl she was four years ago.

Movement caught her eye. She glanced up the rocks and saw a still figure silhouetted by the moon behind him. Hinata felt like she had a dozen of Shino's bugs in her stomach as she headed for the outcropping and the figure at the top, moving awkwardly under the weight of both travel bags. In a moment, he was there, reaching for the satchel on her shoulder which she gratefully surrendered.

"H-Hi." Hinata winced at the stuttering squeak she managed. He remained silent. "I-I brought you your supplies. Kankuro-kun was kind enough to leave them with me." Just say it, she thought to herself, just tell him you know and get it over with.

He just stared at her impassively before jerking his head back toward the compound, "Leave."

He wasn't going to make this easy.

"Would- wouldn't you like some company?" Hinata poked her fingers together and refused to meet his cool gaze. "I actually have the next couple days free."

If he was surprised he didn't show it. Instead he jerked his head once more before stalking for the rocks. She worried her lip a moment before following quietly behind him.

"Why are you here?" He croaked, not bothering to glance back.

"I wanted to see if you were okay." She knew her voice was still shaky but she couldn't let him think she was afraid of him; no, after what he had been through with the little background Kankuro had given her, her fear was the last thing he needed.

"I am fine. Now leave."

Hinata hung her head but continued to trudge after him. When they were a few feet from the outcropping he spun faster than she could follow and grabbed her shoulders. Hinata felt her heart stutter at his grip, at how close they were standing. She had been too upset to enjoy the feel of his body last time they were together but she realized she liked being close to him, even knowing who he was. The scent of sandalwood drifted to her as she finally met his pained gaze.

He gave her shoulders a rough shake, "Why are you here? You should flee from a monster like me."

"I'm not afraid of you." Curse her shaking voice. He made a small sound of disbelief but she held his gaze. "I am not afraid of you… Gaara."

Finally! A truly new chapter! Sorry it's taken so long but I promise I will be wrapping this story up soon and finishing Another Love Story next. It would be cruel to leave you hanging for months waiting for an update… Anyway, as someone who is literally just now starting Shippuden, I have a lot of catching up to do. Good thing about this story is I am familiar with the background up to the point it diverges from cannon; unfortunately, I feel like I need to get a bit further into the series before I can do Another Love Story justice.

As always, please review and leave me some constructive criticism. Or encouragement, whatever you like. I'll be the first to admit it makes me insanely happy to see an email with a review pop up on my notifications, even if it is one or two words.