Previously-

His hand fell back to his side and he took a step back an turned to the door and left.

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Now-

He stopped. Why did he stop himself? I couldn't shake these dark feeling which started grip my chest. I fell back on the mattress and looked up at the ceiling. The dull lamp lighting it just enough to cast shadows to grow and play. I closed my eyes. The forest that we walked through echoed in my mind. Codes and enemies. So, did he leave to take care of enemies?

Or was it...

Me?

I shook of my crazy thoughts. Of course it wasn't me. I sat up, some of my hair falling into my face. Gaara loves me. He didn't just leave me here. He just left because of the enemies then we are going to find bloo-

some food.

I slouched over and pulled my knees to my chest. Blood. It feels weird to live off of someone else's life. It felt wrong. A leech. Enemies. If he was going I take care of enemies, why not just say so? Of course given my track record of stay behind when he could be hurt I guess it made sense. Still, what bothered me most, was that he didn't touch me. I mean, I thought everything was fine, or at least close to fine between us. I mean, he hasn't really touched me at all since....

True it may not be the best time for it. My heart ached. The only time he touched me even close to normal was when he was running his hands through me hair when I was have a panic blood attack moment in his store room. Even then though it wasn't normal. The memory of the fear in his eyes.

Guilt.

He had said something about guilt and being afraid of me.

Why?

I remember asking him that. I remember him saying something about me and scared, but I couldn't remember what it was. Seems like this curse doesn't grant a perfectly flawless memory.I groaned.

Fear.

That's what I was feeling right now. True that Gaara, an now me as well, are stronger than normal people, and faster, and that our senses are better than the average human, but we are not indestructible. That realization sprinkled in me with fierceness. If we were indestructible, I wouldn't, no I couldn't have been able to bite him. Not to mention sunlight.

Anxiety pricked at me. I wanted to go racing out that door and chase after him. Of course I didn't. Seeing as how it ended last time I wit be so stupid as to repeat that mistake twice. I had thought, he was going to touch my cheek. Somehow my thoughts kept returning to this. I sighed and rolled over, and I was wishing once again that I could sleep. It would be nice to simply go to sleep and let time pass on by. It always made waiting easier. I liked sleeping. I liked dreaming. It was nice. Anything could happen in a dream. True there are bad things that happen, but I never really minded to much. The good made it all worth it.Gaara made nightmares all go away. My heart ached. I wish he would hurry up and come back.

I need him to come back.

I squeezed my eyes shut as though I could dream. If this were one of my dreams I would have him come back everything would go back to the way it was.

No enemies,

no battles.

Just him and me

and our little church.

Gaara, my own personal dream catcher.

"Hurry up and come back you idiot." I muttered. "I'm lonely without you here."

---Gaara---

I kept my precious cargo in hand as I made my trek back to where Naruto was waiting. I hoped it would be enough for now. The blood lust was hardest to struggle with and was a it's strongest I first changed. I can only hope he was still there. Though, knowing him he mostly only waited a few moments before chasing out after me. A small sort of half smile lit my face. I suppose I will just set it down on the table and then I can go find him. He should not be out. My smile faltered as I remembered why. If anyone was near by... I paused to let my nose take in the smells once more as I drew closer to the hut. I couldn't smell any humans. I couldn't smell Naruto either. Was it because he was like me now? Did was not have a specific scent? I wondered at this. Well, I guess I am going to have to work a bit to find him. I sighed and smiled as I reached the door to the old hut. I walked in and saw Naruto get up, my smile fell when I realized he was laying on the floor. Did he not feel well?

"You are still here." I saw a flicker of something behind his blue eyes. I was not sure what. It flickered by so quickly...

"Yeah well you did tel me to stay~" he said with a grin. I nodded.

"True." I stated, noting the way his eyes ran across my form like he was looking for something, but didn't know what. "Here." I pulled out three bottles of thick red liquid. They sloshed around inside of their containers. I made sure that they were not transparent. I didn't want him to think about this any more than he would have to.

"This is...."

"Blood." I said calmly. "Drink." I sat down on the floor and took a deep breath and let my eyes slip closed. My own thirst could wait. I had a sip from my bottle at the church. I could most likely go another fees days before requiring any more. Though it has been awhile since I went on such a low amount and such an extended period of time. At least a decade or so, I thought ponderingly. It might be interesting to see what my limits are now. That thought withered and died quickly. I don't have time to be testing my limits. I have Naruto to think of and care for. I will not allow myself to think of such reckless acts while I am to supervise his care.

"Gaara?"

"Hmm?" I cracked open an eye to look at him. He was beautiful. As he alway is. The weak lantern cast a soft golden glow around him. Like an angel that god sent to me. My face softened as I looked. I felt like I was melting.

"Aren't you thirsty to?" He asked tilting his head. How can I say no to that face? That face of my angel. Of my own personal sun.

"Later." I said. "For now, you drink."

"But it's fine, really! we can share." He said quickly.

"Naruto just drink. It can be hard to get blood, so drink now." He started to get that look on his face. That one he always got when he started to put his foot down and dig his heels in. Oh dear.

"If it's that hard to come by, then all the more reason for you to drink with me." He countered he blue eyes lit up like with a blazing fire.

"I had some back at the church."

"You mean the nearly full bottle I attacked and devoured?" I looked at him for a long moment. There was no way I could see where I won this argument. I resigned myself defeat with a slowly sort of half smile. I stood and grabbed one of the bottles and went for the door.

"Gaara?" He asked, "where are you going?"

"Just outside of the door. I won't be leaving, I promise." I assured him and stepped out. It may seem pointless and stupid but I didn't want him to see me drink from something so fresh. I uncapped it and let some of it slide down my throat. I let my eyes slide shut and I leaned back against the wall clutching the bottle tightly as the feeling of being high above the ground seemed to course through me. It was a feeling that paled only to one experience I have had. My others hand clutched at my pants leg as I let it fade before taking another drink. I had forgotten how strong the effects of fresh blood were. I had not really tasted it in such a long time. Even when I was fighting, and I hurt them I never drank from them. I am so glad Naruto is inside, I don't want him to see me like this.

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