In a dimly lit room that lay across from Gaara's, Neji closed the covers of his book and smiled. He finally finished his assigned reading and could probably spit out an A+ book review of it before he went to sleep. He rose from his cushioned chair and stretched a few kinks out of his neck when he heard a strong knock at his door. Neji pulled his hair up and tugged it into a tight ponytail instead of leaving it lie loosely tucked and answered the door.

Sasuke grinned and held up a medium sized bag in front of the Hyuuga's face.

"You didn't leave your room did you?" he said smugly and handed his friend the bag.

"How do you know I just didn't make myself something to eat?" Neji couldn't help sounding amused, even though he hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"Because when you are determined, you'll forget about everything else around you until you finish what you're focusing on."

Sasuke said in a matter-of-fact tone causing Neji to quirk and eyebrow to his friend.

"You speak as though I've done this before?"

"Remember that time, we ended up waiting for you at the ramen stand for over an hour because you just had to perfect your jutsu?"

"Well, one time isn't really a good exa-"

"Or when you were determined to memorize the first 200 numbers of pi. What practical use could that possible be?"

"It was a bet…I won."

"Of course you did, because you didn't leave your room in over a week. Then you used up almost all the hot water in the building bathing all the stink off you for being cooped up that long."

"It was the smell of victory."

"Victory had to be hosed off you."

"I didn't appreciate being hosed down by the way."

"What had to be done, had to be done, my friend. Anyway, here's some food. I figured I owed you since you got Naruto's today."

Neji smiled and took the food.

"Oh, so I suppose that large bag behind your back is just your leftovers then?"

Sasuke paused and smirked, pulling the other bag in front of him.

"This? Oh it's just so the stupid dobe won't starve tonight…that's all."

"Mm-hm, I figured as much." Neji spoke as if he knew more then Sasuke let on.

"What? It is." His friend shifted uncomfortably at the unspoken accusation hidden behind the Hyuuga's words.

"Does Naruto know you care?"

"It's just a meal, sheesh, who would put that much thought into it?"

Sasuke purposely played dumb to avoid the real question Neji was hinting at and prayed that the conversation would change subjects quickly. His friend seemed to sense his discomfort and nodded towards the door labelled 413.

"Did you know someone lives there now?"

"Hm?" The shorter boy looked towards the door. "No, when did they move in?"

"Not sure, think it was sometime between late last night or early this morning."

"Meet them yet?"

"I more just saw them. Well him, and he seemed pretty shy. He literally ran back into his room when I tried to talk to him."

Sasuke laughed, "You must have scared him. What does he look like?"

As if on cue, the elevator doors opened and the object of their conversation stepped out holding a large bag. Neji nodded towards the red heads direction.

"That's him."

Gaara froze in the hallway as the words reached his ears. /That's him/ they were talking about him. He swallowed and began walking again.

Sasuke turned and tried to get a look at their new neighbour, natural curiosity took over him as he spoke.

"You must be the new guy. I'm Sasuke and this is Neji. You two already met though I suppose." He smirked.

Gaara peered up from over his bag and nodded towards the two. They weren't people he had to avoid, they'd learn to fear him in due time, then he wouldn't have to bother with these incommodious pleasantries.

"Gaara." He said firmly.

Neji smirked. The boy finally spoke. Sasuke was the next to speak.

"I have to go or I'll be late for training. Later." He waved and began walking away; he had no time to make a new friend right now, not if it sacrificed his punctuality. Neji gave a curt wave goodbye and turned his attention to the previously shy boy before him.

Gaara stood there, thankful he had the bag acting as a large paper shield keeping distance between him and the beautiful being standing on the other side of it.

"So you're Gaara? I was beginning to think you didn't have a voice."

The redhead didn't seem amused at Neji's attempt to start a conversation.

"So you're name is Neji."

It was more of a statement rather then a question. Gaara decided when he arrived here he wouldn't make friends. They were too difficult to maintain, that is, if he could ever make one in the first place. But he knew from watching people around him, that friendships just never seemed to last. He pushed the bag aside to look the Hyuuga in the eye to bluntly tell him he didn't need his friendship.

And froze again.

Gaara was instantly lost in the lavender ocean before him and wanted to drown in his gaze. All thoughts of speaking rudely to the boy in front of him were long forgotten.

"Would you like some help so you can get your key out?"

"Sure."

Gaara felt his face heating up and he didn't know why. Light pink spread across his cheeks and his mouth grew dry. His felt his hands quiver and his arms shake when Neji reached out and picked the bag of groceries out of his arms. As soon as his paper shield was out of his reach, he felt vulnerable and immediately wanted to retreat back into the safety of his room. He made a lunge for the door, forgetting it was locked and crashed into it. He stumbled backwards with a face red from embarrassment and soreness.

"Are you okay?"

He heard Neji's voice behind him, ready to catch him.

Does he look okay to you asshole?

Gaara fell right into the older nin's free arm and was held lightly. Neji immediately set the bag down to give more attention to the boy in his arms.

Don't you dare touch him!

Neji kneeled on the floor to examine the sand nin's face and ran a hand down a flushed cheek.

I said, don't yo-ooh…nevermind.

Shukaku purred at the sudden contact, he didn't know why, but he liked this kid too. Neji chuckled as Gaara fluttered his eyes open and rubbed the red mark on his forehead.

"I forgot the door was locked."

"I figured, why did you run for it? You don't have to be shy around me."

"I don't know." Gaara answered truthfully.

The skinny teen wasn't sure why he acted so strangely around the longhaired beauty but he did. Even Shukaku was purring contently inside him, he never felt the demon so at ease without violent urges before. This astounded Gaara to no end.

"What did you do?" he whispered.

"What do you mean? I didn't do anything." Came a confused response, while Gaara just rubbed at his temple.

"He…I…you…" The pale nin shook his head and pulled a key out from his pocket. "Thanks." He muttered while Neji helped him back to his feet and heaved the groceries up off the floor.

Gaara opened the door to his place and motioned Neji to follow with the bag. He pointed to a counter where the Hyuuga could lay them down.

"I was beginning to think no one would move in here before the change. Your lucky you did."

"Why?" Gaara questioned, still caressing his stomach, amazed at the purr Shukaku was emitting.

"They're changing the whole place into a hotel, but letting the people who already live here stay for the same price. It's pretty cheap because it looked so bad. The previous owner just sold it to this new rich guy who wants to re-do it. Luckily he's nice, and since so few people live here anyway, he's letting us stay. You moved in just in time I'd say."

Gaara smirked, this was convenient, if anyone came looking for him, they'd check apartments or home that were renting. A hotel would be a good place to hang low; they'd never suspect Gaara to be in a place others frequented.

"Sounds like we'll be neighbours for a while then." Something deep down within Gaara suddenly became excited at this knowledge.

Kowaikage: OMG//begs for her reviewers forgiveness/ I'm sooo sorry I didn't update in so long. I just had A LOT of stuff going on and it never seemed to stop. So, um, yeah, I sincerely apologize to anyone who actually wanted to read this. Also, I noticed that parts of the story wasn't showing up on bold or italics were it should. I'm hoping that it's fixed now but I am not good with computers so most likely, it's not. But I'll keep trying :)

Chinese Fairy- Sorry I took so long to update this for you//hands you a Gaara plushie/ forgive me//puppy dog face/

xCrAzYxGuRlx- Oh man, you gave such an awesome long review about what a fast updater I am…well was. /cries/ I'm so sorry! I'll try to update more, honest. I heart your reviews, please don't stop /sweatdrop/

Shalanar- eeeee sorry I haven't updated sooner pal /huggles/ I definitely try harder, but you know about all the stuff that was going on, so I know you'll forgive me /grins/

doomkitty14- MMM a taco! I have to update more now, I looooove tacos!

Nephra- Thank you thank you, you're so nice. I was so nervous about posting here because this is only like…the third story I've ever written, o thank you for the confidence boost!

SarcasticallyShy- Thank you so much for the review, and I will definitely try to update more often.

Thanks a bunch guys, your reviews really made my day whenever I received one!