Chapter 9: Desert Bloom

The winter seemed suddenly colder. It was no colder than any other Konoha winter, but to Neji, it felt much drabber.

He couldn't help feeling a little jealous. Sasuke had his sunshine- a loud, hyper blond with ocean eyes. Shikamaru had his winter joy- a laughing, annoying dog-boy with too much of a sense of humor. Even Kakashi had his warmth- a quiet, calm teacher with a gentle smile.

But Neji had no one this winter. Gaara had gone back to the Sand Country for the season, and Neji was alone. His room seemed empty; Gaara's soft, even breathing was missing; his warm body wasn't lying among the blankets; his amazing eyes weren't there to make Neji whole.

Pressing his forehead against the window, the Hyuga stared blankly out at the snow littering the ground.

"Don't mope."

Neji jumped, spinning around at the voice. "Gaara?"

And there, in the doorway, stood his redheaded lover. Gaara's eyes widened suddenly, then narrowed. "You're crying."

That fact didn't matter a bit to Neji at the moment. He was pressing Gaara up against the wall in an instant, kissing him senseless. When they finally pulled apart, Gaara said, "You missed me." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yeah."

A slight flush tinted the Sand ninja's cheeks. "I'm home now."

"But your home is in Sand country-"

"No." And Gaara initiated this kiss. "I live here."